Young side beaten by Waitemata

Despite a gallant effort from a youthful FC Whangarei side, they were unable to keep Waitemata at bay in their Northern Football Federation Cup semifinal at Morningside Park, going down 2-3.

With several of their top side players missing for Saturday's match, FC Whangarei had a bench full of fresh-faced youngsters who impressed with their enthusiasm and gutsy effort when they got a chance against the visiting Auckland team.

Down 1-2 at halftime, things looked dire for FC Whangarei when Waitemata extended their lead to 1-3. However, FC Whangarei fought back and scored, causing the visitors to panic. Despite keeping them under the pump for the closing minutes, FC Whangarei were unable to equalise, missing out on a final's berth next weekend.

Kamo also missed out on a final's berth, with a 0-2 loss to Ranui Swanson.

Kamo kicked off the double header at Morningside Park, and were trailing 0-1 at halftime. With the game up for grabs, Kamo disappointed their spectators with a half-hearted and non-committal effort in the second half, standing back to let their visitors kick them off the park, Kamo spokesman Brad Flower said.

With both Northland teams knocked out of contention, the two Waitakere conference sides, Waitemata and Ranui Swanson, will face each other in the Federation Cup final this weekend.

Meanwhile, in Auckland, North Force Men lost 6-1 to Manurewa in a catch up game of the Northern Region Football League first division.

It was a dead rubber game for North Force, who are safely out of the relegation zone, in ninth position on the table, but it was a key fixture for their hosts, who still have a shot at winning the league.

North Force were missing five players - Scott Burgess, who was sitting out a two-match ban for stomping on the opposition during North Force's match against Waitemata, also Jamie Burgess, Darren Green, Steve Schimmel, and Jeremy Rintoul, who were all unavailable.

Using players from reserve grade and Tikipunga premiers, North Force fielded a team, but could not match their hosts.

North Force Reserves also lost 1-0.

North Force have a week off this weekend, and are scheduled to play another catch up game with Matamata at home to end their season on September 17.

This weekend sees Kamo and Tikipunga go head to head in the Stafford Choat final. Tikipunga will be looking to spoil Kamo's five-year winning stronghold on the title. Kick-off is at 2pm, at Kamo Sports Park.

Kerikeri and FC Whangarei also meet in the final of the Premier Knockout final, at Kerikeri, from 2pm.