Football: Northland third after ending season with Fencibles defeat

Northland FC finished third overall in the Lotto NRFL Division Two competition. Photo / Getty Images

The Northland FC men were unable to finish their season with a win yesterday, going down 4-1 to Fencibles Utd at William Green Domain.

The boys in blue faced a tall order to get anything from the home of the Lotto NRFL Division Two Champions, with the win meaning they finished the season unbeaten.

In spite of losing, other results in the league went Northland's way which has seen them secure third, the best finish to a season in four years.

Head coach Dan Johnston was chuffed with their season.

"I'm so proud of the lads for what they have achieved this year, especially after being relegated in 2016 and gaining a Northern League place via a playoff," he said.

"To finish third is excellent and probably what we deserve.

"I just want to say thanks to everyone who has been involved this year, the older lads in the squad for setting an example, and the younger lads for stepping up."

Sean Latimer opened the scoring for the hosts midway through the first half, before Kyle Levell restored parity for Northland five minutes before half time.

A surging run from top scorer Mark Ruddell saw him brought down in the box, and Levell coolly slotted the spot kick in the absence of captain Steve Schimmel through injury.

Northland finished the half in the ascendancy, unlucky not to go into the sheds in front, as Ruddell diverted a Finn Diamond cross on to the crossbar on the stroke of half time.

Fencibles came out to start the second half stronger, scoring twice in the space of 10 minutes.

They then rounded off the result with a fine finish in the 70th minute to put the game beyond doubt.

Fencibles 4 (Sean Latimer 4′, Jack Allen 48′, Arzan Tooynalla 57′, Ben Allen 68′)
Northland FC 1 (Kyle Levell 40')
HT: 1-all