Football: Northland FC beat Metro FC 5-1 in Lotto NRFL Division 2 opener

Northland FC beat Metro FC 5-1 in their opening Lotto NRFL Division 2 clash. Photo / Getty Images

A Caleb Russ hat-trick put the gloss on a positive showing for Northland FC in their opening fixture of the Lotto NRFL Division 2 season as they beat Metro FC 5-1.

2017 golden boot winner Mark Ruddell pounced at the far post to open the scoring early in the first half after a cross from the Onerahi hitman.

A second followed with a set piece straight off the training ground. Brett Plant started and finished the move, driving into the penalty area and lashing a left-footed shot past the Metro keeper.

Metro hit back before the interval through Squires, who prodded home a cross and that was how the score remained until the 70th minute before Caleb Russ put the game to bed.

First was a diving header from an impudent outside-of-the-boot cross from club captain Steve Schimmel, before bundling home a second inside the six-yard box and completing his treble eight minutes from the end with another header.

Head coach Dan Johnston, who also played for 88 minutes, said while he was happy with the performance they weren't getting ahead of themselves.

"We showed great discipline for about 70 minutes of the match, kept things simple and deserved the win," he said.

"I'm not going to get carried away with the result and I know the lads won't either, but it shows that if you put the work in on the training ground you will reap rewards."

They will need a 90-minute performance against league favourites Takapuna, who travel to Kerikeri to take on Northland in their first home game on Good Friday.