Football: Home points the way

Home advantage proved key as the hosts won five and drew one of the games in the opening round of the WaiBop Federation League first division on Saturday.

Newly promoted Ngongotaha overcame Claudelands Rovers at Stembridge Rd. It was the visitors who opened the scoring after just four minutes when the villagers' defence failed to cope with a long pass into the box.

However, two good goals from Mitchell Miller had the home team ahead after 15 minutes and they were then 3-1 ahead just two minutes later when Neil Slater got on the end of a searching cross from Dane Willemsen.

Rovers narrowed the gap shortly after the restart but although they dominated territory and possession, woeful finishing cost them dearly. It was a good first up result for Ngongotaha with Harlem Simiona, Willemsen and Miller particularly effective.

With only three players returning from last season's title-winning team, Old Blues coach Andy Legget knows this year is going to be character building.

However, Old Blues, with goals to Franz Marco and Rueben Wood, were ahead 2-0 early against Whakatane Town.

The home team went to the break 2-1 down but three second -half goals gave them a deserved but flattering 4-2 win.

New Taupo coach Paul Drake was reasonably satisfied with his team's first performance at Crown Park. Youngster Dylan Caldwell and Tin DeRoo scored early for Taupo, who then went into their shell, allowing Otumoetai back into the game.

Taupo had the better of a scoreless second-half and although they went close on several occasions, it was 2-1 at the final whistle.

Rotorua United missed a penalty in the tenth minute against Melville United at Gower Park and the game remained scoreless until the 70th minute when Melville broke the deadlock.

A second followed just minutes later and Melville sealed the three points right on fulltime.

Rotorua Coach Neil Rush admitted Melville was the better team and deserved the win because they took their chances.

"But 3-0 was slightly flattering. With several Northern League players opting to play in the Federation League this season, Melville must be early title favourites," Rush said.

In other games, Otorohanga defeated Tauranga Boys' College 3-1 while AFC Fury gave up a 2-0 half-time lead as they drew 2-2 with Waikato Unicol in what some spectators suggested could be a precursor to the relegation battle.

Division two results: Te Awamutu 1 Clube Algeria 1, Katikati 5 Tokoroa 2, Cambridge 3 Rotorua United 1, West Hamilton 1 Tauranga City 3. Matamata - bye.