Soccer: Taylor lifts Force's hopes

A late goal by captain Aaron Taylor has given North Force a massive boost in their bid to avoid relegation this season.

The 86th minute strike earned an invaluable 2-1 away win over relegation rivals Albany putting them back on track to remain in the Northern League First Division. "We knew how important it was to get a win this weekend so it was a big relief to get the goal," Taylor said.

A soft Albany goal early had given the travelling side a familiar sinking feeling and they looked likely to lose another close game deep into the final quarter.

"We were still 1-nil down with 12 minutes to go until we got a free kick and Tom Taylor headed in a great goal for the equaliser," the skipper said.

They were soon awarded another free kick in good position and Taylor got a glancing header on Scott Burgess' free kick to send the ball into the top corner of the net and his team into delirious celebrations.

"It was the best trip home that I can remember for some time because recently we've been the ones losing matches we should have won in the final few minutes," Taylor said.

The win lifted North Force off the bottom of the table and came as other relegation rivals Metro were hammered 3-0 at Birkenhead. The three points sees them within one point of Albany and three points behind Metro with two and three games in hand respectively.

Lynn Avon dropped into last place thanks to a 0-0 draw with Ngaruawahia and next week the two bottom-placed teams face a relegation show down in Whangarei, with the loser almost guaranteed to make the drop.