The Avatiu and Nikao Sokattak premier men fought a hard battle last week when the two sides met for their third encounter this season in Nikao.
Avatiu commenced the match short on numbers and weren’t able to hold off Nikao’s relentless attacks for long, conceding the first of three goals in the 4’ minute of the match. Nikao defender Tahiri Elikana, lobbed the ball in behind the Avatiu defense for his winger, Toru Mateariki, who crossed the ball into the box for Julius David to finish.
Deciding to play it safe until back up arrived, Avatiu set up a defensive block to hold Nikao off only sending minimal players up to attack when the opportunity arose. Avatiu finally fielded the last of their cavalry half way through the first half and began fighting back, but the opportunity to score didn’t come till the second half.
The men in yellow came out stronger in the second half having better structure to their attacks and looked hungrier for goals though they still played with the defensive block.
Nikao held the ball for most of the half but were put under pressure in the midfield as Avatiu marked and pressed the Nikao midfielders. After a cough up in the midfield Avatiu gained possession and countered quick. They beat most of the defense and only one defender remained who had trouble preventing the goal and gave a penalty in the box when trying to win the ball back. However, it wasn’t enough to prevent Avatiu from scoring as Aturangi Putere blasted it in, to level the scores.
Avatiu stepped up their game for the next 10-15 minutes putting Nikao under some more pressure and taking more shots at goal, but they were unable to slot another one in to go ahead in the match. Instead they wore out and found themselves fatigued from their attacking pressure and Nikao managed to break through and take some more shots at goal.
Although Nikao managed to slot another two goals in through Toru Mateariki and Ronnie Sakai to win the match, the Avatiu goal keeper Henry Tanga put on a world cup final worthy performance blocking several attempts beforehand.
On Saturday another exciting match up was played at the CIFA complex between Tupapa and Titikaveka. The Titikaveka premier men, weren’t as fortunate in redeeming themselves and have fallen yet again. Tupapa slotted eight goals past the Titikaveka keeper to take out an 8-nil win over Titikaveka. Tupapa’s goals were scored by Peni Kitiona, Lee Harmon (2), Dave Milanovic, Sunai Joseph, Mii Joseph, Grover Harmon and Maru Tearaitoa.
The Titikaveka senior women however stepped up to the challenge of playing top of the table Tupapa and denied Tupapa another victory and got redemption for their second-round encounter.
The Titikaveka women picked up an early lead when Paulina Pierre scored from a counter attack in the 15’ minute of the match. 15 minutes later Tupapa equalized when Elizabeth Harmon curled the ball in from the corner kick.
Tensions and nerves grew as the match continued as both sides were attacking goal and neither side wanted to concede. Each play grew evermore exciting and nerve racking for supporters as well, as they did not wish to see their side go down.
However, Titikaveka came out the victors of the match after they secured their second and winning goal in the 58’ minute of the match when Paulina Pierre struck again from a penalty in the box.
At Raemaru Park on Saturday, the Puaikura premier men were upset at home, going down to Matavera 3-nil. The win is a huge boost for the side and puts them closer to moving up the ladder. All three of their goals were scored by Paul Van-Eijk.
FULL RESULTS FROM ROUND 11:
Nikao SokattakFC – Avatiu FC
Premier Men 3-1
Senior Women 0-0
U-17 Men 6-1
U14 Boys 1-5
U14 Girls 0-1
U11 Mixed 1-1
U9 Mixed 0-0
U7 Mixed 2-0
Puaikura FC – Matavera-Ngatangiia FC
Premier Men 0-3
Senior Women 2-0
U-17 Men’s 5-0
U14 Boys 18-0
U14 Girls 2-0
U11 Mixed 2-0
U9 Mixed 5-0
U7 Mixed 3-1
Tupapa Maraerenga FC – Titikaveka FC
Premier Men 8-0
Senior women 1-2
U14 Boys 4-0
U-14 Girls 0-0
U11 Mixed 0-3
U9 Mixed 4-0
U7 Mixed 5-1
