Football: Kerikeri to host Good Friday fixture for Northland FC

Northland FC will play their first Lotto NRFL match in Kerikeri when they take on Takapuna on Good Friday. Max Thomas impressed in the 2017 season. Photo / John Stone

Northland Football Club will play their first home game of the season in Kerikeri, the first time a Lotto NRFL fixture has been played in the Far North.

Takapuna will be the club travelling the extra distance in Northland on Good Friday in round two of the 2018 edition of the competition.

Kerikeri FC are the hosts, with the game being sponsored by BDO Accountants, Placemakers Kerikeri and the Lygon Cafe after Takapuna requested that the home team paid for them to travel from Whangarei up to BaySport Waipapa.

Head coach Dan Johnston is excited to bring the side to the Far North.

"The Far North is football mad and it's great for the game that we are able to bring the regional team to play at Kerikeri FC," he said.

"I lived there for six years and know the area really well.

'It's not just in Kerikeri, the Far North is massive. Playing there means that people from Kaikohe, Kaeo and Kaitaia can come down and have a look too.

"I know they will turn out in numbers and give us some great support from the sideline."

Northland start their season in the Lotto NRFL Division Two away to Metro FC this weekend, one of New Zealand's oldest football clubs.

The side are coming off a strong 2017 campaign where, despite losing their last match to eventual Division Two champions Fencibles United 4-1, they finished third.

With other results going their way, it was their best finish in four years.

Johnston said while they were looking forward to venturing to Kerikeri, they had a single focus ahead of their season opener.

"We're totally focused on the game this weekend, but we've talked about going up there and I know the boys are looking forward to it," he said.

Northland FC general manager Owen Liiv said the whole organisation was excited for the landmark game.

"With football on the rise in the Far North and a willingness by Northland FC management to promote the game throughout the region, this match has been scheduled for Kerikeri," he said.

"We're all excited about playing this game in the Far North, it's a great opportunity to show everyone that Northland FC is truly a regional football team.

"It's been a long time coming and I hope we can put on a good show for the people that come out to support us."

- The main event kicks off at 3pm on March 30, with the reserves playing beforehand at 12.30pm. Both games will be played at BaySport Waipapa, Harmony Lane, Kerikeri. Head to the Northland FC Facebook page for more details.