Football: FC Whangarei, Tikipunga play out stalemate

Tikipunga's Scott Burgess, left, controls a pass as FC's Milan Ngaropo looks for a way past. Photo/John Stone

FC Whangarei and Tikipunga could not be separated in the latest round of the Northland Men's Premier division.

They played out a tough match to end 2-2.

Tikipunga's Scott Burgess and John Wallace stood out for the away side as they piled on the pressure against FC Whangarei.

But with the help of Milan Ngaropo and Josh Kiernan, FC managed to hold on and score two of their own goals to leave each side with one competition point.

In the other match of the round Central Brown once again showed their clinical edge as they dismantled Madhatters 5-0.

Central Brown were far too good for their opponents on the day as they defended strongly.

Meanwhile Northland FC picked up a vital victory in the Lotto NRFL Women's Premier Division.

They beat Claudelands Rovers 2-1 in an impressive performance against their more fancied opponents.

Bethanee Witt opened the scoring for Northland in the 33rd minute but the lead was short-lived as Claudelands equalised through Leah Gubb.

The scores remained level until late in the piece as neither side were able to break through impressive defensive lines.

But Colleen Winstanley picked up the all-important winner in the 83rd minute to lead Northland FC to the three points, moving them further from the foot of the ladder.

In the Men's Federation One Cup, Kerikeri Bay Builders moved closer to their sixth final in nine years with a 2-1 win over Albany Africans.

Goals from Timo Obrez and Jeremy Rintoul helped them to their quarter-final win.

Coach Mark Roberts said it was an impressive effort from Kerikeri, but now they needed to break their duck in the competition.

"They played really well, it was the best performance of the season from our guys. It was a well-deserved win," he said.

"We've made five Federation Cup finals in eight years and we haven't won one yet.

"We've got to get the monkey off our back. We're definitely good enough. We've beaten Auckland teams to get through to that final but it's just knocking it off that's been the trick.

"We've played Glen Eden Rangers the last couple of years and pushed them all the way but it's just about getting over that line.

"We have been building over the last three or four years and we've got a few youngsters playing for us each week so I have no reason to think we can't win it this season."

In the plate section, Kamo went down 2-1 to East Coast Bays Napoli.

Meanwhile Central Brown put on a clinic to dominate Onerahi 6-0 in the Northland Women's Premier competition.

Central Brown mixed their potent attack with sharp defence to sew up the comfortable rout.

In the other match Kamo proved too strong for Kerikeri High School as they took out the home clash 3-0.

The other women's fixture was in the Northland Women's Knockout Plate competition where Bream Bay United accounted for Tikipunga Diamonds 3-1.