Football: Kerikeri victorious but disappointed

Kerikeri's Shane King controls possession in their Northland Premier Division clash against Madhatters. Photo/Tania Whyte

Kerikeri might have picked up the three points in the latest round of the Northland Premier Division but there weren't too many happy campers following the match.

They toppled Madhatters 3-0 in a gritty match. Madhatters were tenacious in their efforts to grab an upset.

Kerikeri coach Mark Roberts said the side was disappointed by how their standards dropped in the clash.

"It was a really scrappy match. We aren't happy at all with the performance," he said.

"We went in a bit complacent after we beat them by seven or eight goals last time we played so the boys are really disappointed."

Right midfielder Alex Brandes was a top performer for the visitors, scoring a goal and walking away with the player of the match award.

Meanwhile, Onerahi were at their clinical best, taking an 8-0 shutout win over Bream Bay United.

This was one of Onerahi's best performances of the season as they found a knack for converting goal scoring opportunities.

In the other premier division fixture, Central Brown grabbed a tense 2-1 win over Tikipunga.

Kamo played their Federation One Cup round one fixture against Warkworth but were defeated 3-1.

In other competitions, Northland FC suffered their first away defeat of the league season on Saturday, going down 2-1 against a Takapuna side in the Lotto NRFL Division 2.

It was a tight affair with chances at a premium for both sides. Northland could not make the most of their early pressure, with a couple of half chances evading captain Steve Schimmel.

They paid the price for their profligacy in the 33rd minute, with Thomson Nkoy finishing off a counterattack that went from one end of the pitch to the other.

It stayed that way until the break, and Northland clawed their way back into the game with one of their goals of the season.

Johnny Fletcher won the ball in central midfield, playing out to Mark Ruddell on the left who crossed to Schimmel. He still had work to do, and directed his header inside the far post.

The game stayed that way until the 80th minute when Tommy Miller bundled home a scrappy effort to leave the visitors with nothing.

Head coach Dan Johnston said they weren't far off a result.

"We are absolutely gutted, but I can't fault the effort of the lads today," he said.

"Games like this show how fine the margins of error are in this league. we probably had the better of Takapuna in both games this year but have no points to show for it."

Northland are on the road again next week, against Albany United.