Ngongotaha AFC earn hard fought win over Papatoetoe

IN FORM: Striker Mitchell Miller scored both of Ngongotaha's goals in their win over Papatoetoe. PHOTO/FILE

A second-half double from prolific striker Mitchell Miller has secured a third successive win for Ngongotaha AFC in NRFL Division 2.

The 2-1 win over Papatoetoe moves Ngongotaha into seventh place and with games in hand over the six teams above them, a late surge up the table is not out of the question.

Papatoetoe's only win of the season was a snatch-and-grab 1-0 victory over Ngongotaha in the first game of the season and they went into the halftime break up 1-0 on Saturday as well.

Ngongotaha manager Stephen Towers said it was a comfortable win in the end but playing in extremely windy conditions made it challenging at times.

"They had the wind in the first half and managed to fluke a goal from a corner.

"We kept the ball on the ground in the first half, playing into the wind, and threatened a few times.

"Mitch hit the bar and missed a good chance from inside the box - he blasted it rather than placing it," Towers said.

With the wind at their backs in the second half Ngongotaha came out firing and piled on the pressure.

"It was looking like it was going to be one of those days where we were not going to get anything - it was chance after chance."

However, in the 65th minute Ngongotaha had their best chance of the afternoon.

"Mitch was taken down in the box so we got a penalty - he slotted that home."

Then with 10 minutes to go Miller produced a superb winner.

"He blasted it with his left foot into the top corner from just inside the box - that was effectively game over.

"You couldn't fault the boys for effort - they never stopped and they never gave up, even when it was looking unlikely."

Towers said Ngongotaha's new player George Watson had a good debut.

"He played about 70 minutes ... he did play well in the centre of midfield, he's a good player.

"We gave man of the match to Dennis Essendam, he was tireless in midfield.

"The whole midfield played well, the backs didn't have a lot to do other than defend the long ball in the first half."

Next week Ngongotaha are at home to Waiheke United AFC who sit in second place and are yet to lose a game.

"They bring this army of supporters with them - they'll be there with banners and flags and drums.

"It'll be probably our most looked forward to game of the season."