Football: Kamo, Tikipunga grab important victories

The latest club football action from around Northland. PHOTO/GETTY IMAGES

Kerikeri put in a valiant effort but were unable to overcome a committed Kamo side in the Northland Premier football competition.

Kerikeri had an opportunity to go top of the leaderboard with frontrunners Onerahi out on their Chatham Cup assignment and, after previously beating Kamo this year, they would have felt great about their chances.

Kamo meanwhile had been hot and cold so far in 2018 with an even split between wins and losses through four matches.

The match was a true battle as neither side was really able to gain the ascendancy for the majority of the contest.

While Kerikeri showed the ability to build pressure, Kamo's defensive core were up to the task for extended periods.

Kerikeri managed to convert on a couple of opportunities to maintain pressure on their counterparts as Derek Fagan and Liam Nash each found the back of the net with accurate strikes.

However the home side was more than a match for the defending champions as Andrew Dunn, Darren Green and Jay Singh each capitalised on attacking raids to score decisive goals.

Meanwhile Tikipunga reversed their opening round defeat to Bream Bay to come away with a 5-1 victory.

Tikipunga had the right to be aggrieved following their 3-0 shutout at the hands of Bream Bay a month ago after being the dominant side for the majority of the contest.

They had more of the same in the second meeting between the sides but managed to convert on multiple attacking opportunities.

Tikipunga 's win was their second of the season to go with a draw and two losses, keeping them in fourth place. They sit five points off the lead.

Meanwhile Onerahi had a chance to go deeper into the Chatham Cup series but were ultimately outclassed by a clinical Takapuna outfit, going down 6-2.

A pair of goals added respectability to the scoreline but it wasn't enough for the home side as they succumbed to an avalanche of pressure.

Onerahi were Northland's last team in contention for the Chatham Cup, meaning all sides are now fully focused on their Northland Premier Division contests.