Stalemate puts Rotorua United under pressure

Rotorua player Dayne Willemsen could not find the net in their goalless draw with Waikato Unicol AFC on Saturday.

Rotorua United must be more clinical in front of goal according to manager Ian Walker, after they finished in a goalless draw against Waikato Unicol AFC on Saturday.

Playing on a challenging pitch, Rotorua were able to create several clear cut opportunities but failed to find the net.

Player Menso Van der Lann had two shots on target in the first half but both were comfortably saved by the keeper.

And Dayne Willemsen and Tawhiao Morrison were both through on goal after the break but once again were foiled by Waikato's shot stopper.

Walker picked out new defender George Watson and midfielder Jason Walker as Rotorua's best players on the day.

And the manager was happy to take a point from the game but wanted to see more composed finishing in front of goal.

"We were on a very heavy field and so it was hard to play to our usual fast paced game plan," he said.

"I'm happy we created some chances but we just needed to have a calm head in front of goal. We just lacked the finishing which we needed in such a tight game.

"It was a strong physical match and they started the better of the two sides but we certainly dominated in the second half.

"I'm glad we still got something out of the game but we need to start picking up the wins or risk slipping down the table."

Waikato's best opportunity fell to striker Kirk Newman who was one-on-one with the keeper but pulled his shot wide of the post.

Manager Dan Goodwin was pleased with the result and picked out the performance of player Gavin Gilbert who excelled at left-back.

"Overall I'm happy with the result, we did have chances and really pushed on in the first half but some games you just can't find that goal," he said.

"Rotorua were very dangerous and quick up front so we tried to cut out the long ball they like to play.

"We dealt well with this and Gavin had a great game. He doesn't usually play in that position but he was great, he created chances, pushed up really well and defended bravely."

Meanwhile, top-of-the table Ngongotaha AFC had their game away at Matamata Swifts postponed.

Results
WaiBOP Premiership
Waikato Unicol 0 Rotorua United 0
SGS Papamoa 2 Tauranga Boys' College 0
Cambridge FC 2 Otumoetai FC First Credit Union 1
Tauranga City United 1 Melville United 6 UNI: none.
Old Blues 4 Katikati FC Ambria 3
Matamata Swifts v Ngongotaha - postponed
WaiBOP Championship
Cambridge FC Reserves 5 Otumoetai FC Reserves 0
Waikato Unicol Reserves 1 Hamilton Wanderers 2
Old Blues 0 Tokoroa AFC 6
Taupo AFC 6 Whakatane Town 0
West Hamilton 3 Te Awamutu Edmond Judd 2
Matamata Reserves v Ngongotaha Champs- postponed