SOCCER - Schimmel puts grand slam within Kamo's grasp

Goal-scoring dynamo Steve Schimmel scored another hat-trick to put Kamo within reach of Northland football's "grand-slam" of trophies with a 4-2 win over Tikipunga on Saturday.
Schimmel, still not 100 per cent fit after a recent groin injury, was still too quick and skilful for a very good Tikipunga defence and might have added further to his tally had he been on target more often.
Kamo now have the chance of adding the Stafford Choat Memorial Trophy to their impressive haul of Premier League, Northland League Cup, Federation Cup, and Charity Shield they have won already this season.
All that sits between them and their aim is Madhatters, who beat Bream Bay 4-1 in the other semifinal on Saturday.
Tikipunga, bolstered by their North Force players, played well to establish a 2-1 lead with less than 15 minutes remaining in the semifinal at Tikipunga Park.
A fantastic 30-metre drive by Tikipunga's Murray Wootten gave them an early lead before Schimmel got his side back on level terms just before the break.
It didn't look to be Kamo's day when Tikipunga were awarded a penalty after Warren Baddeley chopped down Wootten less than two minutes into the second spell. Kamo protested the decision to referee Mike Stather, claiming the foul was committed outside the area but with little effect and Bruce Plunkett scored from the penalty spot.
The visitors heaped the pressure on to the home side looking for the equaliser but despite several chances, the Tikipunga defence looked solid. But in the 77th minute, Schimmel once again showed his class to find the net with another piece of individual skill.
Stather then awarded Kamo a freekick outside the area two minutes later - this time with Kamo claiming a penalty - and from the resulting play, livewire Calvin Erick was first to a half-cleared ball and stuck it in the net.
Ahead for the first time, Kamo went into defensive mode, pulling striker Sammy Oso off for a defender. With five across the back they decided to win ugly and defended waves of Tikipunga attacks.
Kamo repulsed the desperate attacks and with a minute or two to play a long clearance found Schimmel with too much space, allowing the striker to add another hat-trick to his season's tally and finally secure the win for Kamo.
It was a hard-earned win for Kamo, who had top players such as Sanjay Singh unavailable for the match and others carrying injuries.
While players such as Schimmel and Erick provided the spark for the win, it was the defence with Dominic Fromont in particular, who stepped up to nullify the dangerous Tikipunga attack and win the game.