The Hamilton derby was full of goals for Wanderers on the weekend. Photo / Grant Stantiall
The Hamilton derby was full of goals for Wanderers on the weekend. Photo / Grant Stantiall
Hamilton Wanderers women were the big winners of the weekend for the Waikato in the Northern League, securing a 9-0 win over their rivals Claudelands Rovers. In the men's leagues Claudelands Rovers were again the only winners as Hamilton Wanderers and Melville United struggled again.
On a rainy Sunday morning,the Hamilton derby played out in dominant fashion for Wanderers, despite a strong first half for Claudelands.
In the first half Hamilton Wanderers took the lead 30 minutes into the game, but it would be the only goal on that side of half time as Claudelands fought to keep one of the league's title contenders at bay.
In the second half Wanderers took control and scored another eight to condemn Claudelands to their second defeat of the season, while allowing Wanderers to pick up their first win.
This weekend Claudelands will be looking to collect a vital three points against Glenfield Rovers in Auckland, while Hamilton Wanderers will be at home against the newly-formed Auckland United.
In the men's league, Melville United suffered heart break after conceding two goals in the last 10 minutes to allow Eastern Suburbs to come back from 2-1 down to 3-2.
The game had plenty of drama with multiple penalties, goals and rough tackles. However it was Eastern Suburbs who managed to dig deep and find the two goals to leave Melville on zero points after the first two games.
Their rivals Hamilton Wanderers are in much the same boat after losing to Waitakere City in a close encounter.
The two Hamilton teams join current champions North Shore United at the bottom of the table without a point so far.
Claudelands Rovers men are flying high in division two sitting with six points at the top of division two. They are the only northern league men's team in the Waikato that have picked up a win so far this season.
Tom Rowland is the Claudelands Rovers premier women's team manager.
