Football: Must-win for Ngongotaha

BIG CLASH: Ngongotaha player Dominic Smith (right) in action the last time his side played Cambridge back in April. PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER

If Ngongotaha are serious about winning the title this year in the WaiBOP Premiership they will almost certainly have to defeat Cambridge this weekend.

The top two sides in the premiership will meet at John Kerkhof Park in Cambridge tomorrow at 2.45pm.

Cambridge are eight points clear of Ngongotaha at the top of the ladder but Ngongotaha have two games in hand.

Ngongotaha coach Shane Davis was well aware of the importance of the match tomorrow. "It will probably decide who will win the title," he said.

Davis said they would need to finish their chances in front of goal, which had been a problem in recent weeks.

"Probably just finish our chances which we have not been doing, we might create eight chances and score one," he said.

Despite that problem, Ngongotaha are on a good run having won their past three games. Davis said they were hoping things would go differently than last time they played Cambridge. Earlier this season, the two sides met in Ngongotaha with Cambridge winning 2-1 in a controversial match.

"The first game we played them this season I think we got a bit ripped off. We got a goal disallowed and a penalty wasn't given."

He said they would not sit back for a draw on Saturday and needed the three points. "We are really after the three points this weekend. I think it is a must-win right throughout to the end of the season."

Ngongotaha have 11 games left this season while Cambridge have nine games left. The two sides will not meet again this season after this weekend.

- Tables:

Premiership: Cambridge 34, Ngongotaha 26, Melville 24, Papamoa 20, Tauranga Old Blues 19, Waikato Unicol 17, Rotorua United 16, Katikati 16, Otumoetai 13, Matamata 13, Tauranga City 9, Tauranga Boys' College 4.

Championship: Claudelands 30, Cambridge 24, West Hamilton 22, Te Puke 20, Kawerau 19, Tokoroa 19, Matamata 14, Te Awamutu 11, Ngongotaha 7, Tauranga Old Blues 7, Whakatane Town 5.