Two Far North sides make cup semi finals

Stafford Choat

Kaitaia Wayfarer Motel 2 Tikipunga Reserves 1

(ht 1-1): Two sublime goals by Rhys Thomson propelled Kaitaia through to the semifinals of the Stafford Choat Cup for the first time.

The brace came in an intense clash between the  NM1 (Northland men's 1st div) sides in a Stafford Choat Cup quarterfinal played in fine but breezy conditions on a perfect Taipa track on Saturday afternoon.

Kaitaia mostly dominated but had its work cut out against a deter mined, younger and faster visiting side who scored first, against the run of play, directly from a corner kick.

The homeside players commend ably refused to let their heads hang even after Tiki' `keeper Mike Chap man, outstanding throughout, saved a Shane McDonald penalty a short while later.

Soon after, Thomson played a nice one-two with McDonald  and then cut through the Tiki defence like a Far

North Lionel Messi to slot home the equaliser with an emphatic right foot. The winner was also a beauty,

 an unstoppable swerving strike from the edge of the area into the top corner with 15 minutes remaining. Tikipunga were a tad unlucky in having one goal disallowed by referee Mike Stather, and watching another opportunity cleared desperately, and luckily, off the line.

The match enjoyed a late kick off at 3pm and was curtain raised by an under-15 friendly  and meant a crowd

of nearly 50 boosted the ranks of Kaitaia's loyal band of regular supporters.

The draw for the next round of Stafford Choat games was made at the Northland Football Federation last night after the Age had gone to press.

Remaining in the semifinals of the main cup event to be played on September 8 were Kaitaia M1 (the only first div side left) along with prem divvers' Kerikeri, Tikipunga (game review on page 13) and Central Brown (who beat FC Whangarei MP 3-0 at Otaika).

Kerikeri Palmco Reserves 1 Kamo 4 (ht 0-2): The Kamo side currently leading the premier division championship, eliminated Kerikeri Reserves in Waipapa in the quarterfinal of the Stafford Choat Bowl competition.

It was a tough draw for the Kerikeri Reserves against this year's mens premier division champions, while not helping matters was having several players out through illness and injury.

Coach James Coleman noted it was eventually left to just the 11 players on the field and two remarkable young players from the club's under 15 team to roll as subs, Patrick Waller and Jakob McGowan.

Palmco's chances came from Kieran Payton getting close and a missed penalty before Timo Obrez pulled a goal back with a stunning volley which flew into the top corner of the net but Kamo's fourth with five minutes to go wrapped the game up.

"The young team from Kerikeri did themselves proud and won the praise of the Kamo team and coaches for the enterprising and attacking style of football," said Coleman.

Onerahi 1 Kerikeri Bay Builders 2: Kerikeri premier division team eventually disposed of their first division rivals in this Stafford Choat Cup quarter final on Saturday. No match report available.

Other results from Stafford Choat games over the weekend, saw first division Tikipunga crush Bream Bay Waterline in a cup quarter final thanks to a hat trick by former Kaikohe FC striker Josh Morunga. The recently crowned first division champions are now demoted to contest the plate competition (which does, however, give the Ruakaka side a stronger chance of playing at Toll Stadium - for cup, plate and bowl - on September 15).

Second division Knockout Cup

Kamo Whangarei Aluminium 2 Bay Cosmos 4: Cosmos cruised to a comfortable win in this rescheduled game from round one of the Northland men'ssecond division Knockout Cup (after torrential rain caused the first fixture to be abandoned earlier in the month).

The victory was never in doubt according to Cosmos coach Jeff May who noted: "The boys played super well!" Goals by Robbie Norman, May himself, Keegan Harrison and one other; with Alan Beckmann awarded the POTD.

In other results from the competition, Tikipunga Coastline lost to Onerahi 1-4 under lights in Tikipunga last Wednesday.

Sunday women
FC Whangarei Development 1 Bay Cosmos 9 (ht 0-3): Cosmos crushed the FC development side' emphatically as the Northland women's premier first division resumed on Sunday.

Coach Jeff May said there was some nice football from his girls, particularly in the second half when they "stopped passing to the [FC] goalkeeper and began passing it into the back of the net."

Goals came from Jasmine Beazley 4, Hannah Jull 3, Rebecca Swan and Christine Beckmann; while POTD went to right-back Kerry Williams.

FC Whangarei Prems 2 Kerikeri High School 3: The visitors' goals came from Emma Richards, Cassy Osokin and Debany Roberts; while standout was central defender Analise Bergman. Standings (which will be updated in Thursday's Age). Bye: Far North Siteworx.

No senior fixtures for Far North teams have been confirmed for this weekend but should be advised in Thursday's Age.