Soccer: Confident United out of danger zone

It has been a long and frustrating season for Rotorua United coach Neil Rush, but he was smiling at the weekend after watching his side finally deliver on their potential with a 3-0 win over crosstown rivals Ngongotaha.

The three points resulted in United moving out of the threat of relegation to finish in eighth place.

Ngongotaha coach Shane Davis acknowledged that United were the better team on the day.

"We were without several key players but I can't take anything away from United, they deserved their win," he said.

Rotorua took the lead in the third minute when Gary Hamilton-Irvine beat the keeper with a good header. The goal settled United and they started to play with more confidence.

Keiran Van de Goot outpaced the Villagers defence in the 25th minute and made it 2-0, and United took that lead into the break.

The second half was a deadlock until Lawrie Scott scored late in the game to ensure the win for United.

At Crown Park, Taupo underlined their domination of the league with a 3-1 win over Waikato Unicol.

Byron Thessman gave Taupo a 1-0 lead at the break and Alan Lamb assured Taupo of retaining the Challenge Shield with a second half double.

Old Blues' fate is out of their control after a 3-1 loss to Otumoetai. If Tauranga Boys' College can win their last two games, Old Blues will be the second team relegated.

"Consistency was missing again. We played well last week but didn't perform today," disappointed Blues coach Andy Legget said after the game.

It was a scoreless first half but Matt Collins put Otumoetai ahead before Reuben Wood equalised for Old Blues.

The key moment in the game came when Old Blues failed to convert a penalty.

Otumoetai's Matt Collins did not waste his chance from the spot, and with Old Blues pushing forward in search of the equaliser Daniel Miller scored to confirm the win.