Harlem Simiona celebrates (with Alan Ferguson) after scoring the third goal for his side. Photo/Enzo Giordani.
Harlem Simiona celebrates (with Alan Ferguson) after scoring the third goal for his side. Photo/Enzo Giordani.
Ngongotaha AFC have won promotion into the Northern League for next season after an emphatic 4-2 victory over Lynn Avon United on Saturday in the second leg of the NRFL playoffs.
The impressive result gave the Villagers and the travelling orange army fans a 6-3 win on aggregate to celebrate, booking them a place in Division Two.
Ngongotaha, playing away in the crucial game at Parrs Park in Auckland, dominated the first-half with players Josh Haua, brother and captain Dave and Harlem Simiona all finding the net to give their side a 3-1 advantage at the break.
And top goal scorer Mitchell Miller pounced again this season to extend his side to an unassailable lead in the second half. Lynn Avon United did pull a goal back later on but it was too little too late for the home side.
Ngongotaha AFC celebrate after today's victory. Photo/Supplied
Skipper Haua, who was visibly overwhelmed on the final whistle, praised his side's attacking mentality and said it was the "biggest achievement" of each player's career.
"Playing away could have made us tighten up our game but we went all out for it," he said.
"It was a demolition from us in that first-half. We dominated possession and overwhelmed them.
"United did pose a challenge and changed up their team a lot from last week especially upfront, but we made sure to break up their possession.
"We have achieved our ultimate goal for this season and it is incredible.
"But today we couldn't have done it without all the fans - who have been with us every step of the way. This is for them and Rotorua."
Ngongotaha controlled the game from the first whistle and the break through came from a majestic Josh Haua strike curled past a stranded United keeper after 20 minutes.
United made it square soon after but the Villagers doubled their tally on the half-hour mark when a Simon Te Kiri header was parried by United's keeper into the feet of Dave Haua to tap in from close range.
Shortly after Simiona showed his quality, beating three players down the left wing and calmly slotted home to finish off an impressive solo effort.
United tried to get a foothold in the game in the second half but Ngongotaha continued to press and stopped the opposition from getting any kind of coherence in build-up play.
And with 10 minutes left to play Miller won a 50/50 ball with the United keeper after the home side failed to clear their lines and the striker drilled it into the back of the net for his 55th goal of the season.
The home side scored in injury time, to make it a more respectable score-line but it was met with muted celebration with their fate already sealed.
ORANGE ARMY: Loyal Ngongotaha AFC celebrating their team's promotion. Photo/Enzo Giordani.
Not since the late 1990s has Rotorua been able to boast a men's football side in the Northern League, something that was not lost on coach Shane Davis and manager Steve Towers.
"This was such an important game for football in Rotorua, not just our club," Davis said.
"This is for the future generations - we are now in a position to create a stepping stone for young players in the area.
"At the moment a lot of talent is leaving Rotorua to play at a higher level.
"But now we can offer Northern League football then we can develop that potential."
On their way to sealing their coveted spot Ngongotaha were crowned WaiBOP Premier champions after an unbeaten campaign, and scored an impressive 111 goals whilst conceding just 21.
CELEBRATION TIME: Ngongotaha AFC have been promoted into the Northern League for next season. PHOTO/ SUPPLIED.
The Villagers captain said he was delighted to gain promotion playing "stylish football" and added he could finally "let go" of the heartbreaking memories of just missing out on the chance for promotion playoffs last season - finishing one point off the title race.
"We have fully redeemed ourselves," he said.
"Last year we were definitely playing the right football but we just slipped at key moments.
