Diamond's late goal secures win

Northland FC coach Dan Johnston was delighted with his side's character in their 2-1 win over Te Atatu.

Northland FC's Finn Diamond scored an injury time goal to finish off a come from behind 2-1 win on the road against Te Atatu in the Lotto NRFL Division 2.

Diamond's goal was Northland's second of the half, having gone into half time 1-nil down, and put the icing on the cake for what was a pleasing performance.

Having lost Northland's top goal scorer, Mark Ruddell, in the first minute to injury they were made to work for the win after Te Atatu went ahead just before the half hour mark on Saturday.

Northland equalised through Lewis Miller in the 62nd minute, finishing off a fine move down the right hand side, before Diamond secured the points in injury time.

Coach Dan Johnston commented on the character the Northland side showed to come away with the win.

"It's a great feeling to come away with the points - we've been on the wrong end of these tight games in the past but the collective effort got us over the line here.

"To win it in injury time only adds to the excitement, the game really could have gone either way.

"We showed real character again today, and I'm proud of our performance."

However, things may have been different had goalkeeper Shane Stanners not made a terrific double save with the scores locked at 1-all.

Coach Dan Johnston said: "Shano has been outstanding for us this year. The lads have started calling him the 'Reggae Shark' for some reason, you know you are one of the boys when you have a nickname."

Northland have a bye next week before hosting high flyers Waiheke United on July 15.
Meanwhile, in Northland premier club matches, Kamo got a big win over Central Brown 4-nil - scoring all four goals in the opening 25 minutes.

Kamo coach Sam Walker felt it was an outstanding win for his side, saying they had a dream start to Saturday's match.

"Central Brown deserve credit, when you're 4-nil down in the first 25 it could have blown out but they fought back well.

"It's an outstanding win for us because Central Brown were second-equal going into the match."

Walker added the match was a physical one, noting that referee Murray Hodson did well in officiating it.

Kamo's win puts them third overall, with Walker saying his side would see a second place finish to the season as being a success - having lost 16 players from last season due to players leaving the region or switching clubs.

In other premier results, Tikipunga were dominant 8-nil winners over Madhatters while Onerahi Cowleys Hire also won with a 3-nil scoreline. Kerikeri won their match against Bream Bay by default.

Northland premier results

Kamo 4 Central Brown 0, Onerahi Cowleys Hire 3 FC Whangarei 0, Tikipunga 8 Madhatters 0, Kerikeri win by default over Bream Bay.