Football: United's relegation fears ease

For the first time this season the spectre of relegation has been lifted from Rotorua United.

With the two bottom teams of the Waibop Federation one league relegated to league two, United coach Neil Rush is a happy man after his team's 5-0 drubbing of cellar dwellers Otorohanga at the weekend.

All the goal scoring action came in the first half, with goals from Steve Turner, Shadley Petersen (2), Gary Hamilton-Irvine and Keiran Vandergoot. The second half was a ho-hum affair but the home supporters were happy enough when the final whistle blew.

Ngongotaha continued their good form with a 3-1 win over Whakatane Town, moving the Rotorua side to fourth on the points table.

Playing at home, it was 1-1 at the break but the Villagers stamped their authority on the game in the second spell. Dane Willemsen (2) and Issac Haua were the scorers for the home side, who have now won six games on the trot.

Taupo and Claudelands Rovers retained their lead in the WaiBop Federation League after convincing wins over AFC Fury and Otumoetai.

Taupo dominated from the kick off but only lead Fury 1-0 at the break. It was more of the same in the second spell but this time Taupo took their chances and won 3-1, with Dillon Caldwell netting a brace to add to Stephen Painter's first half goal. Coach Paul Drake was happy with Taupo's performance.

"Although we should have won by more, we were composed on the ball and controlled the game."

Drake said he was also impressed with 15-year-old goalkeeper Lewis Parker.

Otumoetai player/coach Graeme Blissett was disappointed after a 6-0 loss to Claudelands Rovers.

"We didn't play that bad and were only two down at the break, but we finished the game with just nine men which made things tough."

Waikato Unicol sent Tauranga Boys' College into the relegation zone with a hard fought 2-1 win.

Old Blues were without five regular first team players and Melville took full advantage scoring four times in the first 25 minutes and going to the break with a 5-0 lead. It was a much better effort from Old Blues in the second half as they kept Melville scoreless.

The second division saw Cambridge cement their chances of promotion with a 1-0 win over West Hamilton, Katikati beat Rotorua United 3-0, Clube Alegria defeated Matamata 3-1 while Tokoroa and Te Awamutu battled out a 0-0 draw.