Football: Kerikeri get over Federation One Cup hump

Kerikeri's Adam Streamer gets away from the Takapuna Boca Seniors' defence during their 3-0 win in the NFF Men's Federation One Cup final. David Rowland / Phototek

Kerikeri Bay Builders finally knocked off the one that always got away as they clinched the NFF Men's Federation One Cup.

Travelling to Browns Bay, Kerikeri kept Takapuna Boca Seniors goalless in the convincing 3-0 win.

Coach Mark Roberts said they went down in a good head space and hoped for the result.

"We've lost four before this but we went down confident with a full squad. They played really, really well against a top Takapuna side," he said.

"They were more experienced than us. We had five high school first XI players playing. It was a young squad but we took it to them."

Kerikeri got on the board early as fullback Derek Fagan set the standard with a cracking shot from 20 yards out.

Takapuna kept pushing in the first half and could have easily scored if not for the excellent work of goalkeeper Russell Bensemen.

Adam Streamer doubled their lead going into the sheds and when Robbie Kingman put one in the back of the net at the 50-minute mark, it was all but over for Takapuna.

Roberts said they defended well in the second half.

"They didn't get many chances after that. They were chasing themselves and we kept the ball away from them. It was an excellent performance," he said.

Kerikeri singled out two of their younger players as their keys to the victory as well as the committed fan support.

"Adam [Streamer] is only 18, he worked his socks off for 90 minutes and got the rewards with a goal and man of the match," Roberts said.

"A special mention must go to Russell [Bensemen] who pulled off five fantastic saves. He's only 16 but he's been our first-choice keeper all season.

"He started a little shaky but he's come on really well.

"There were about 100 Kerikeri supporters who made their way down there and they were very loud. The guys really appreciated it."

Takapuna were not thought to be able to match Kerikeri's speed in the contest pre-game and that was well-founded, but they utilised their own positive traits to give Kerikeri a tough match.

"We were told Takapuna weren't at our speed but they were very experienced and you could see that clearly. They played to their own strengths," Roberts said.

The relief was clear at Bay City Park from the visitors as they finally managed to break their unfortunate NFF Men's Federation One Cup streak.

Roberts said stability within the squad was a big reason why they were successful this time around.

"We're well happy with the result and getting that monkey off our back. This year we've had a settled squad," he said.

"The first team basically picks themselves and the boys who back up from the reserves come in well. The whole squad trains together so when the reserves are called up they know what is expected.

"Every time we've pulled someone up they've stepped in and you couldn't tell the difference.

"We've had a new head coach in Stephan Gill come in with some new ideas and they've worked really well."