Surprise win by local footballers

Waterside Karori scored one of the two surprise victories in the men’s Central Football League on 6 and 7 May.

The Karori team defeated Miramar Rangers 4-3 to take the O’Brien Shield, which is the football equivalent of the Ranfurly Shield, from Rangers.

Before Karori lifted the O’Brien Shield on 6 May Rangers had successfully defended it in 32 challenges since winning it from Lower Hutt City in June 2019.

In a match that featured three own goals, Rangers would have fancied their chances playing on their home ground of David Farrington Park.

Rangers stumbled for the second week in a row in their bid to remain a national league aspirant in the upcoming summer league.

Jorge Akers scored his fifth goal of the season for Waterside and was well supported by Finn Diamond who scored as well.

The Karori team’s own goal was more than cancelled out by Rangers who scored two of their own. The second one, which came in the 70th minute, handed Karori the victory.

The drama didn’t stop there with Stop Out achieving the seemingly impossible and beating Wellington Olympic 3-2 at Hutt Park. Olympic were issued two red cards in the 90th minute and the match was a boil over in many respects.

Napier City Rovers summer league wish list doesn’t seem as realistic now after they were eclipsed at home 3-2 by the Wellington Phoenix Reserves.

In other matches in the round, TFS North Wellington capitulated to Petone, 5-0 after going into the sheds, 0-0 at half time.

Matthew Brazier scored a hat trick for the visitors with the Petone keeper having the very cleanest of sheets.

Whanganui Athletic also continues to struggle and conceded 7 goals to Western Suburbs while scoring only 1 in return.

Whanganui, North Wellington and Waterside Karori remain at the wrong end of the ladder. Waterside will be sleeping better at night though with 7 points and there is little to distinguish Whanganui on no points against North Wellington on 3.

Wellington Olympic, Western Suburbs and the Nix Reserves are enjoying the rarified air at the other end of the spectrum and all sit on 18 points.

Waterside Karori also had a great weekend n the Women’s Central

League.

The trip to Napier clearly agreed with them and they notched up a crushing 7-1 win over Taradale.

Kaley Ward had a field day in scoring four of Karori’s goals.

Mana Coach Services North