Soccer: Kamo benefit from rep inactivity

Onerahi's Harley Freeman lines up for another crack at the Kamo Reserve goal on Saturday. Photo / Ron Burgin

The winding down of the representative season could not have come at a better time for Kamo as they look to step up their bid for the Stafford Choat Cup.

Coach Nick Smith noted the return of Calvin Erick in his side's 3-1 win over Madhatters in the quarter-final on Saturday, adding that even though Erick was only at half pace he was still in good form.

"It's good getting a few players back from injury and North Force duty," Smith said. "For us it has been a poor season in terms of picking up injuries, we've picked them up at bad times of the season."

Smith credited the performance of Madhatters, saying it was the best effort he had seen from their side in many occasions.

"It was a good team performance [by Kamo], we wanted to really concentrate on our defence but we gave a goal away early on. But, the good thing was we stuck to the plan and got ourselves back in the game.

"It was a very good performance from Madhatters, I said to them after that I think it was the best from them in a while."

Smith applauded Kamo's Andrew Dunn for putting in another top performance, adding that his consistency has helped Kamo in many games this season.

Kamo's win means they will take on Onerahi in two weeks' time when Stafford Choat semifinal action begins, with Tikipunga playing Kerikeri.

Other Stafford Choat results saw Kamo Reserves go down 6-1 to Onerahi while Tikipunga were too good for Kaitaia 3-nil. Kerikeri are also still alive in the competition after playing last weekend.

Next week sees Northland sides fall back into Federation One Cup action.