Soccer: Goal-fest as 39 hit the back of onion bag

A total of thirty-nine goals were scored in WaiBop Federation first division football with the Otumoetai, Waikato Unicol game providing 10 of them.

The Challenge Shield remained at Crown Park after Taupo defeated Ngongotaha 5-2, but the scoreline doesn't do the Villagers justice. They were the dominant side in the first half but it was Paul Stewart who put Taupo ahead when he scored from a free kick. Ngongotaha bounced back and Moses Davis scored to have them on level terms at the break. But Taupo came out with purpose, after some stern words from coach Paul Drake and Chris Roberts put the home side ahead within 46 minutes. Ngongotaha's Isaac Haua made it 2-2 when he converted from the penalty spot and substitute Dillon Caldwell regained the lead for the home side when he outpaced the Ngongotaha defence before penalties to Ben Westerman and Paul Stewart gave Taupo a flattering win.

Whakatane Town, with first-half goals to Wayde Maloney and Paul Taylor, led Melville United at halftime, and in the second spell Scott Marrow and a double from player-coach Mike Ward underlined their dominance. The 5-0 win against the team third in the league showed that Whakatane's goal of a top-three finish is still a possibility.

Old Blues coach Andy Legget was pleased with his teams attitude and effort against second placed Claudelands Rovers but was disappointed they didn't get a share of the points. It was 2-1 to Rovers at the break with Franz Marko the scorer for Old Blues but defensive lapses cost Old Blues and Rovers, at 4-1, looked to be cruising to an easy win. Reuben Wood scored from the penalty spot and then a goal from Phil Ranger made it 4-3 and set up a tight and tense finish.

At Fergusson Park, an injury-plagued Otumoetai led Waikato Unicol 2-1 after a tightly contested first half but it was a different story in the second when the home side found the net six times while conceding just one to run out 8-2 winners. For Otumoetai, Matt Collins, Matt Fisher and Martin Bissett netted twice while Joel Hollinshead and Tim Miller also got on the score sheet.

It was the dance of the desperates when Tauranga Boys' College met Rotorua United at Southey Park. Both sides were desperate to ease their relegation problems and with the scores tied 2-2 and time almost up, United were awarded a penalty. Lawrie Scott who is usually reliable from the penalty spot stepped up but this time he missed the target and the game ended in a deadlock. It was another could have, should have won game for United so they still have the job ahead of them to avoid the drop into division two..

In the other game, bottom of the table Otorohanga were beaten 5-1 by AFC Fury.

In division two, Tauranga City celebrated their title with a 2-0 away win over Te Awamutu, while Katikati made Cambridge work all the way to earn second place with a 1-1 draw.