Ngongotaha AFC eighth with two games to play

LEADERS: Ngongotaha AFC were without star players Mitchell Miller (left) and Harlem Simiona (centre) when they hosted Northland on Saturday. PHOTO/FILE

With two games left in the Northern Regional Football League second division, Ngongotaha are sitting eighth of 12 teams.

Having been promoted to the division this season, Ngongotaha have held their own, managing six wins and six draws in their 20 games so far.

On Saturday they hosted third placed Northland FC and were up against it from the beginning with star players Mitch Miller and Harlem Simiona unavailable.

However, the young players who were called up to start the game put in an admirable effort, despite losing 3-1.

Ngongotaha fielded what could be one of the youngest ever front three players in Northern Football League history, starting two Year 13 school pupils and a Year 12.

They also had a secondary school pupil in goal and one at centre back, and their performances are promising for the future of football in Rotorua.

Ngongotaha took the lead in the 27th minute when Sean Kim got on the end of a quality ball from Conor Hinz.

However, Northland struck back on the stroke of halftime, through Johnny Fletcher, before adding two more goals in the second half.

Ngongotaha were unlucky to concede an own goal in the 74th minute and Northland's third came in the 89th minute when Ngongotaha were chasing an equaliser.

With more experienced players expected to return next week, Ngongotaha will be hopeful of picking up a win or two in their remaining games.

Meanwhile, in the Loaded WaiBOP Premiership, Rotorua United lost 3-1 to Matamata.