Football: Ngongotaha fail to close gap

Ngongotaha defeated Papamoa 2-0 at the weekend. Pictured is Ngongotaha's Conor Hinz. Photo / Stephen Parker

Two headed goals were enough to help Ngongotaha to a 2-0 win over Papamoa at the weekend, but not enough to move them any closer to competition leaders Cambridge.

Ngongotaha are still second on the ladder behind leaders Cambridge in the WaiBOP Premiership after the latest round on Saturday.

Cambridge almost dropped points at the weekend but managed to come from behind to beat Katikati 2-1 away from home, after trailing 1-0 at half time. It means Ngongotaha remain seven points behind Cambridge with two games in hand.

"We just have to keep winning games and hope that Cambridge slips up. And hopeful that will be us, but we will see how it pans out," Ngongotaha captain Dave Haua said.

He said this was the best position they had been in, in recent seasons, and the boys were playing really good football.

"We have always sat about fourth or fifth [in recent seasons] so especially this year the boys have really dug in and been a lot more committed."

Haua said having good competition for places and being near the top of the table had helped them stay motivated this season.

"I think it is just the attitude. Like we have quite good depth, especially at the start of the season, so everyone was fighting for positions.

"And the boys' interest has just stayed in it the whole time and I think it helps that we are up the top as well and have a chance at winning it."

While Ngongotaha did not close the gap at the top on Saturday, they did manage to hold onto the Federation Challenge Shield for another week.

Ngongotaha still have five games to play this season, including four away matches, while Cambridge have three games to play.

Ngongotaha's first goal on Saturday at Stembridge Rd came through Harlem Simiona who got on the end of a nice cross inside five minutes.

Just before half time Jason Waller made it 2-0 for Ngongotaha after he was gifted a free header inside the box, following a lovely free kick.

The score remained 2-0 at the end of 90 minutes.

Meanwhile, Rotorua United suffered a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Otumoetai on Saturday.

In the premiership's other games, Melville United stayed comfortably in third spot after their scheduled opponents, Tauranga City United, failed to front leaving the Hamiltonians with a 3-0 victory.

Tauranga Old Blues scored the only goal of the game at Waikato University to beat Unicol 1-0, and Tauranga Boys' College snatched a 1-0 win over Matamata Swifts.

- Premiership ladder: Cambridge 49, Ngongotaha 42, Melville United 36, Tauranga Old Blues 31, Papamoa 28, Otumoetai 22, Waikato Unicol 21, Rotorua United 19, Matamata Swifts 17, Katikati 16, Tauranga Boys' College 14, Tauranga City United 11.

Football results from Saturday:

WaiBOP Premiership: Melville United 3-0 Tauranga City, Katikati 1-2 Cambridge, Rotorua United 0-3 Otumoetai, Tauranga Boys' College 1-0 Matamata, Ngongotaha 2-0 Papamoa, Waikato Unicol 0-1 Tauranga Old Blues.

WaiBOP Championship: Ngongotaha 0-7 Te Awamutu, Claudelands 6-5 Te Puke, Whakatane 2-0 Tauranga Old Blues, Tokoroa 2-1 Cambridge, Kawerau Sports 3-0 West Hamilton,
Matamata Swifts.