The battle of the bottom in the WaiBop Federation Football League between Rotorua United and Otorohanga ended in a 1-1 draw.
But of the two coaches United's Neil Rush would have been the happiest. Late withdrawals meant United had only the bare eleven so Rush had to take his bootsand with Josh O'Sullivan getting an early shower for two yellow cards they finished with 10 men. After a scoreless first half, Gary Hamilton-Irvine gave United the lead in the 55th minute but Shayne King denied the visitors an unlikely win with a goal in the 90th minute. "It was a gutsy effort and the boys battled hard," Rush said. At Crown Park, leaders Taupo were made to work hard for their win against AFC Fury. Although the home side had the better of territory, possession and scoring chances, they were scoreless at halftime.
Fury stung Taupo early in the second half to lead 1-0. Bevan Woltersdorf left the field temporarily for a head injury which required a trip to hospital and 10 stitches later on. With 10 minutes left, Jesse Smith was on the end of a corner and drove the ball into the box, where Alan Lamb was on hand to score. Shortly afterLamb coolly converted from the penalty spot.
At Rex Morpeth Park an under-strength Ngongotaha side took the lead against Whakatane Town with a goal from Jordan Payne. Playing a defensive formation of 4-5-1 the Villagers held the lead until Wade Maloney scored for the home side to make it 1-1.
Whakatane coach Mike Ward was disappointed with the result while Ngongotaha manager Ben Pragnell was more than happy to come away with a point.
Claudelands Rovers stayed in touch with competition leaders Taupo, with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Otumoetai at Fergusson Park.
The visitors took the lead before Grant Cooper equalised at the 30-minute mark. However, it was Rovers who claimed the win with a second-half goal. Old Blues coach Andy Legget was left lamenting his team conceding soft goals, after a 4-2 loss to Melville United.
Tauranga Boys' College had a 1-0 win over Waikato Unicol.
