Match action from Ngongotaha AFC's opening match in Northern League Division 2.
Eamon O'Donoghue suffered his first defeat captaining Ngongotaha AFC as Papatoetoe AFC skipper Cole Davenport's clinical first-half penalty ended the Rotorua side's impressive winning streak.
Ngongotaha had been undefeated in 40 league matches since a 2-1 defeat against Cambridge in the WaiBOP Premiership back in 2015.
O'Donoghue will feel the loss. His first match leading the Villagers and opening game in Northern League Division 2 was harsh on his side after a dominating performance against their Auckland opposition.
Last season's top scorer Mitchell Miller saw a shot turned past the post by Chinese squad international keeper Calvin Lee and O'Donoghue hit the bar with a powerful header within the opening 20 minutes at Stembridge Rd yesterday.
That lack of clinical finishing cost Ngongotaha dearly, however. Papatoetoe striker Mitchell Slecht was fouled inside the area by centre back Phil Clark and Davenport drilled his spot kick into the bottom left corner, sending keeper James Towers the wrong way.
Both sides had significant injuries in the first-half - a Papatoetoe player left the field with a suspected broken jaw early on and just before half-time nifty Ngongotaha midfielder Alan Ferguson suffered a suspected broken nose after a head collision with an opposing player.
Ngongotaha player Alan Ferguson (left) suffered a suspected broken nose in the game on Saturday. Photo/Stephen Parker
O'Donoghue, who played at centre back, said the result would hurt because for a large portion of the game Ngongotaha were the more creative, threatening and energetic side.
"I thought we dominated most of the game, we created a lot more chances than they did and to come off the pitch defeated was pretty disappointing," he said.
"It was a penalty though, it happens in football. But we had enough chances to make up for that and should have."
Davenport commented on his clinical finishing: "I have a lot of faith in my team and they have a lot of faith in me. I'm more than happy to step up to it because I step up knowing I've got the whole club supporting me. I was happy that I was just able to do what was needed to be done and get the three points."
In the second-half Ngongotaha looked effective in possession but squandered a hatful of chances.
Ngongotaha's attacking player Mitchell Miller, pictured in action against Auckland outfit Papatoetoe AFC at Stembridge Rd at the weekend. Photo/Stephen Parker
Cook Island defender Arus Sem blazed over the bar within the first five minutes, striker Josh O'Sullivan had a goal disallowed for handball on the 70-minute mark and Harlem Simiona hit the bar with a rasping long-range shot.
Papatoetoe created few opportunities - Suvio Reddy saw a long range effort whistle past the post, Davenport saw a header blocked at point-blank range by Towers and Paul Edgar fired wide of the goal.
Little will damage the confidence O'Donoghue is looking to continue after his skipper appointment as permanent successor to last season's captain Dave Haua.
That is apart from discipline. O'Donoghue and Sem collected yellow cards while Josh Haua's frustration bubbled over with two minutes remaining and he was given his marching orders after he receiving his second yellow for a reckless tackle.
"We'll get back to basics at training this week, work on set pieces and what not. The boys will come back stronger, We'll keep rolling on, we've got next week - we're away up in Auckland so hopefully we'll get a win up there," he said.
And there was still plenty to satisfy Ngongotaha coach Shane Davis and manager Steve Towers.
"We created enough chances to win, but we were lacking that finishing touch," said Davis. "Our finishing was the only difference and that is what we have to improve to compete at this level.
"James [Towers] had very little to do. In fact all he really had to do was pick the ball out the back of the net.
"I think in some ways it will be hard to pick the boys up from this because we're used to winning so this feeling is new to them but I'm confident we can compete in this league."
Ngongotaha AFC 0 (Yellow cards: E. O'Donoghue, A.Sem, J. Haua (2)) Papatoetoe AFC 1 (C. Davenport, penalty, 31m. / Yellow cards: C. Davenport.) Half-time: 0-1
