Football: Wooten at double as club sets history

Kerikeri striker and goal scorer Jeremy Rinto gives it his all in the final Cup final against FC Whangarei. Photo / Michael Cunningham

FC Whangarei's Murray Wooten certainly deserves the plaudits after scoring a double in helping his side claim the Stafford Choat Cup and his club to create history in Tikipunga.

Wooten scored half of FC Whangarei's goals in their 4-2 victory over Kerikeri's premier side, which completed FC Whangarei's triple for the day - winning the Cup, Bowl, and Plate trophies.

It was the first time one club had won all three trophies, although the Bowl and Plate finals have only been around a handful of years.

FC Whangarei premier coach Scott Burgess said their win came with a sense of satisfaction after targeting the Stafford Choat at the season's start.

"It's good for putting FC back on the map. The club has worked hard in the last year and hopefully this is the first step in the right direction in terms of on-field results," Burgess said.

"I think everything went well for us, only part that didn't go well for us was the start we conceded early."

However, much to the delight of Burgess, his side bounced back to show the necessary desire, and then control, later in the game.

Burgess said it was only when their fourth goal was scored with 10 minutes to go that he started to relax.

"I think everyone knew we weren't going to concede two goals in the last 10. They were opening up and that suited us well and we could knock a few balls long," he explained, adding he was especially impressed with the input of a few players.

"Murray Wooten definitely deserves a pat on the back, he got two goals for us. Jamie Burgess and Sam Rout in the middle park worked themselves all day in what probably was the heaviest part of the pitch, they both fronted up and had big games.

"But, everyone played well, all 14 came on and did the job and that's what we expected."

Next on the bucket list for FC Whangarei was claiming the local league competition. They currently sit top of the table.

Burgess said the equation was simple for his side: win two of the next three and the title is pretty much secured.