Rotorua United AFC's players Jayden Bowditch (front) and Jason Walker (back) in action against West Hamilton United Premiership on the weekend. Photo/Ben Fraser
Rotorua United AFC's players Jayden Bowditch (front) and Jason Walker (back) in action against West Hamilton United Premiership on the weekend. Photo/Ben Fraser
Rotorua United AFC has had a difficult opening game in the Loaded WaiBOP Premiership, falling to defeat in a heated affair at Neil Hunt Park.
United lost 4-3 against newly promoted West Hamilton United Premiership at home on Saturday after they conceded from the penalty spot, for the second time in the match, in the dying stages of the game.
But United can take heart from the fiery encounter, that saw two West Hamilton players and a United player all red carded in the second half, after they trailed 3-0 at halftime and conceded two goals in the first 15 minutes including the first penalty.
United pulled it back to 3-3 with 25 minutes to go thanks to a double from striker Harawera Smith and an excellent strike from Ryan Heath on the edge of the box.
But with four minutes to go West Hamilton were awarded a "soft penalty", according to Rotorua United coach Ian Walker.
"It was great that we were able to pull it back but then I wasn't happy with the penalty," Walker said. "Our defender looked to have been pushed by the opposition in the box and he fell into one of their players. It was a soft penalty."
Walker admitted he was disappointed with the result but praised the performance of striker Smith and centre midfielder Jason Walker.
"We were just caught napping at the start and let in two very soft goals," he said. "We just weren't switched on enough and they [West Hamilton] came out the blocks very hard and fast at us.
"But the team deserves credit because they didn't let their heads drop at halftime and fought back. I'm pleased with what we did in patches and Smith had a fantastic game, also Jason [Walker] was solid and anchored the team."
Elsewhere Ngongotaha AFC picked up their first point in Northern League Division 2 after they drew 2-2 away against Auckland team Onehunga Mangere AFC at the Mangere Domain 1 on Saturday.
The home side were 2-1 up at halftime after Tom Knight and Alexander Statham scored either side of Ngongotaha's striker Yamil Casas - all inside the opening 10 minutes.
The Villagers pushed forwarded and squandered several good chances before Alan Ferguson was clinical from the penalty spot, after Harlem Simiona was brought down in the box, on the 56 minute mark.
Ngongotaha AFC's Alan Ferguson, pictured in action earlier in the season, scored from the penalty spot for his team on the weekend. Photo/File
Cook Island defender Arus Sem, playing in midfield and centreback Eamon O'Donoghue were awarded Ngonotaha's players of the day.
Ngongotaha coach Shane Davis said he was happy with the point and once again stressed the costly lack of finishing which also cost them in their opening game against Papatoetoe AFC.
"I was relieved to get the point, it gets us off the mark and we hit the target," he said. "Onehunga absolutely dominated us at first and came out all guns blazing - that had good attacking movement and we were just caught asleep a bit.
"The second half we were much better but once again we'll be looking at finishing in training because it was lacking at times. It seems to be a confidence thing and about final decision making- we can work on that though."
Loaded WaiBOP Premiership results:
Rotorua United AFC 3 West Hamilton United Premiership 4 Taupo AFC Premiership 1 Cambridge FC Premiership 1 Papamoa Football Club 0 Premiership Otumoetai FC Premiership 4 Matamata Swifts Premiership 6 Tauranga Boys College 4 Edmonds Judd Te Awamutu Premiership 1 Tauranga Old Blues Premiership 3 Waikato Unicol Premiers 2 Melville Premiership 0
Onehunga Mangere AFC 2 Ngongotaha AFC 2 Northland FC 0 Takapuna AFC 1 Papatoetoe AFC 0 Mangere Utd 5 Albany Utd 0 Claudelands Rovers AFC 3 Fencibles Utd 2 Te Atatu AFC 1 Waiheke Utd AFC 3 Papakura City 1
