Ngongotaha gunning for promised land

PLAYOFF TIME: Ngongotaha AFC aim to continue their incredible season as they kick-off in the Northern League Division two leg playoff series tomorrow. PHOTO/FILE

A coveted place in the Northern League promised land beckons for either Ngongotaha AFC or Lynn Avon United.

The Villagers host the crucial first leg of a two-match series playoff at Stembridge Rd tomorrow to decide which team will be offered a place in Division Two of the NL competition next season.

Ngongotaha aim to seal their place after finishing as unbeaten WaiBOP Premiership champions. They finished the season conceding 18 goals and scoring 105 - by far the best stats for any side in the league.

United booked their spot in the playoffs thanks to a second-place finish in the AFF/NFF Men's Conference - losing five of their 20 matches, with 61 goals to their name and 40 strikes against.

Ngongotaha captain Dave Haua said it was the "biggest game" of each team member's career and it would be the hardest match of the season against opponents who were only relegated from the NL last season.

United also showed great resolve as despite a horror start to their campaign, sitting bottom after losing their first four games, coach Jim Booth and his side finished as the league's in-form side - losing just once in their last 16 games.

"It's huge. This is definitely the most important game of each player's life," he said.

"This is what we have been aiming for all season, and we will throw everything at it.

"It is crucial to give ourselves an advantage because everything changes when we are at their ground.

"We know Lynn Avon will be incredibly physical and tough to break down. I expect them to be a good passing team and we are already aware that they have some quality in attack."

The Villagers have the extra boost of fielding the top goal scorer in the Premiership - striker Mitchell Miller who has already scored more than 50 goals for his club this season and the division's player of the season - midfielder Alan Ferguson.

Ngongotaha will be at full strength with the return of skipper Haua and Ferguson from recent injuries and striker Josh O'Sullivan who is available after a one-match suspension.

Haua said his side would not change theattacking mentality they had played with all season and insisted the team must be "lethal" in front of goal.

"We are not going out to be conservative and play it safe," he said.

"The team must be clinical because this will be a very tight game and any missed chances could really cost us.

"We go into this game on a brilliant high and we have to keep this going."

Ngongotaha also have the added determination to redeem themselves after just missing out on the chance for promotion playoffs last season - finishing one point off the title race.

"This is so important for everyone involved at the club and I really think we could be on to something special here," Haua said.

"It would be huge for Rotorua football if we could get up into the Northern Leagues and really put us on the map.

"We need all the support we can get on the weekend, so we want the community to come out and help get us the result we crave."

NL Division Two Playoff series

Leg 1:

Ngongotaha AFC v Lynn Avon United, Saturday, October 1, Kick-off 2pm, Stembridge Rd, Rotorua.

Leg 2:

Lynn Avon United v Ngongotaha AFC, October 8, Kick-off 2pm, Parrs Park, Glen Eden.