Team sparks as Davis gives wake-up call Ngongotaha continued their domination in the Waibop Federation football league with a 10-1 flogging of Whakatane.
After dominating the game against Matamata Swifts, last week but failing to take their chances in front of goal, Ngongotaha coach Shane Davis said it was awake-up call for his team and asked for them to pick up their game.
Ngongotaha hosted Whakatane Town who had beaten them 5-2 when the two met earlier in the season, so a tight battle was expected at Stembridge Rd. But the Villagers did more than heed the coach's wake-up call. Playing with purpose from the outset, Ngongotaha dominated and held a 5-0 lead at the break.
Whakatane were shell-shocked, and although they managed a consolation goal, there was more to come as the home side netted five more goals to run out 10-1 winners. The final score didn't flatter Ngongotaha who could have scored more.
Golden Boot leader Josh O'Sullivan scored twice to add to his impressive tally this season but was frustrated by being denied three times, Van Ewart also netted a double and Issac Haua was also among the scorers, but they were overshadowed by Mitchell Miller who scored five.
Despite those goal-scoring feats, coach Davis nominated mid-fielder Harlem Simiona as his player of the day.
AFC Fury stayed one point ahead of Ngongotaha in the race for the title with a 3-0 win over Matamata Swifts and Tauranga City continued their recent good form when they beat Waikato Unicol 3-1, while Otumoetai stay firmly rooted to the bottom after a 6-2 loss to Cambridge.
Last week's win over Taupo would have given Rotorua United supporters some hope that their team had turned the corner, but Tauranga Old Blues wrapped up the game in the first half leading 4-0 at the break. United put in an improved performance in the second spell and with goals from Fraser Gilbert and Gary Hamilton-Irvine they were competitive but were finally beaten 5-2.
