Rotorua United's Forrest Dunn celebrates after an Otumoetai FC own goal at Neil Hunt Park yesterday. Photo/Ben Fraser
Rotorua United's Forrest Dunn celebrates after an Otumoetai FC own goal at Neil Hunt Park yesterday. Photo/Ben Fraser
A second-half own goal gifted Rotorua United AFC a hard-fought second straight win in the Loaded WaiBOP Premiership.
United beat a strong Otumoetai FC 1-0 in a close encounter at Neil Hunt Park yesterday, in their third game of the season, handed a late goal from Otumoetai rightback Anthony Hallafter confusion in the away side's penalty box.
United coach Ian Walker breathed a sigh of relief after his team had previously failed to convert several excellent opportunities in the first half, including clear cut chances for both Jason Walker and in-form striker Harawera Smith.
Both teams were evenly matched in the second half and the game could have gone either way but Hall provided the crucial goal when his headed back-pass skidded past the otherwise unflappable keeper Graeme Blisset, as the rain poured down, in the 70th minute.
Walker said it was a "piece of luck" his side deserved in what had been a "tough contest".
"It was gifted to us, we just looped a long ball into their area and we got an own goal," he said. "I'm very happy with the result - it was a very tough game and really we should have won by two or three goals but we weren't clinical enough in front of goal and I have to say their keeper had an outstanding match."
Rotorua United players congratulate each other after a piece of good fortune in the rain at Neil Hunt Park. Photo/Ben Fraser
Otumoetai coach Ross Johnson, in his first year in charge at the club, said he felt "gutted" when his team conceded.
"It was a very even game. There was a bit of lack of communication at the back for the goal and because of the weather unfortunately it just skidded across the ground a bit past our keeper," he said. "I was disappointed when that went in. It was unfortunate for Graeme because he's been in very good form and has kept us in touch in our opening matches.
"To be fair they [Rotorua United] missed several opportunities before that and we just didn't cause enough problems for them."
Walker said centreback Jason Quinlin,16, was a standout for his team: "Everyone played well but he was outstanding and he had great vision throughout."
The result saw United push up to fourth place - just three points off leaders Waikato Unicol Premiers who beat Tauranga Old Blues 3-0 on Saturday.
"Going forward we have to look at being a bit more clinical," Walker said. "We've had a solid start but every game is going to be a challenge."
While Otumoetai's first loss of the season meant they slipped down to sixth - joint on four points with fifth-placed Cambridge FC.
"We just need to move on and put the last two week's performances behind us," Johnson said. "I want us to be in the top three this season and build the club in the senior section here."
