SOCCER - Force are Oso happy with win

North Force booked a berth in the US1 premier league playoffs thanks to a rare three points on the road, accomplished in emphatic style, with a 5-1 victory over Western Oratia on Saturday.
A hat-trick to Sammy Oso was a major influence in the victory but strangely enough it was an own-goal early in the second-half that turned a competitive match North Force's way.
Oso got the visiting side off to a great start with a goal in the first five minutes but the home side came back after that, to dominate the majority of the first spell.
They hit the woodwork and went close several times but good defence marshalled by centreback Aaron Taylor saw the visitors retain an unlikely 1-0 lead at the break.
Mark Ruddle extended North Force's lead early in the second spell but Oratia pulled one back and were back in the game until one of their defenders turned an Oso cross into his own goal.
The visitors were quick to press home the advantage the own goal had given them and quickly killed off the game, with Oso completing his hat-trick with two clinical finishes from one-on-one scoring chances.
Coach Dean Wheatley was thrilled the team had finally nailed down a playoffs spot.
"Reaching the playoffs is a great achievement and the boys were all happy with themselves after the match, and I felt we really deserved the win in the end," he said.
Wheatley said Alex Luiten was the pick of his players with a great performance in midfield but the win had been a good overall performance. He added that a later than usual arrival by the team at Parrs Park to play the match had apparently paid off in trying to address their poor away record this season.
"I think going down later was pretty good and seemed to work for us. We were straight into the sheds and on to the park, so we might have to do that again," he said.
The team's aim now is to win one of their two remaining games and cement third place on the table, meaning they will host their first playoff match. That won't be easy though with both of their remaining matches being against the two teams above them on the table.
Glenfield Rovers showed how much they have improved in the second round by drawing 3-3 with second-placed Waitakere on Saturday. They are firming up as the likely fourth qualifier for the playoffs along with the unbeaten East Coast Bays, who lead the league.
Kamo reached the semifinals of the US1 Federation Cup knockout trophy on Saturday by beating Waitemata 3-1.
A classy Steve Schimmel goal had them ahead 1-0 at the break before he added another to convert the home side's pressure into a two-goal lead in Saturday's difficult conditions. Schimmel was again involved in the third goal when his freekick rebounded around the penalty area before it was finally put in the net by substitute Gavin Allan.