Havelock North Wanderers celebrate after a dramatic win pitched them into the Central League in 2022. Photo / Supplied
Havelock North Wanderers celebrate after a dramatic win pitched them into the Central League in 2022. Photo / Supplied
Havelock North Wanderers needed a win by two clear goals to triumph in the Central League football play-off and they got just that, beating Wellington United 3-1 at Guthrie Park on Saturday afternoon.
Coach Chris Greatholder's side trailed 5-3 on aggregate after the away leg last weekend, but before thematch he said an early goal could change everything for the Wanderers.
That pivotal moment came in just the eighth minute when Bjorn Christensen converted from the penalty spot after teammate Jarvis Alatise was brought down in the box by Wellington goalkeeper Crawford Plenderleith.
United hit back shortly after half-time through a brilliant Ignacio Juan Junca volley from the edge of the box.
Greatholder said he had to roll the dice after about an hour of play and try to change the game to get his team back in front.
Jackson Ralph in action for Havelock North Wanderers earlier in the season. Photo / Paul Taylor
It worked perfectly, with some classic centre-forward hold-up play from Christensen springing Tomek Frooms free around the corner to head towards goal.
He was brought down for another penalty, and though Christensen's initial tame effort was saved he tucked away the rebound to make it 2-1 in the 68th minute.
Wanderers fired cross after cross into the box in the final stages, and in the second minute of injury time a ball in was flicked down to Christensen in space for the big striker to slam home from close range and claim his hat-trick.
Chris Greatholder said he couldn't be happier with the result on what was a truly special day.
"There was a big crowd in, real big spirit, lots of noise, lots of passion," he said.
"It took a few hours to sink in. I watched it again late last night because I couldn't sleep."
While Wanderers were able to celebrate their unlikely victory, Greatholder said they already have to turn their attention to next season and the Central League in 2022.
"There are teams with big budgets, big resources - and you're playing against All Whites," he said.
That's a positive for the coach, though, as he said it gives Hawke's Bay players another route to a higher level of football close to home:
"Now that Hawke's Bay United has disappeared there needs to be something else for people to aspire to.
"It's bigger than our 16 players, it's bigger than Havelock North Wanderers."
Havelock North will join Napier City Rovers in the 2022 Central League, with the top teams qualifying for the new National League Championship competition.
This replaced the ISPS Handa Premiership competition, of which Hawke's Bay United were a part, this year.
