Soccer: Force outclass strugglers

North Force were celebrating their first away win of the season on Saturday with a comprehensive 2-0 victory over struggling Lynn Avon United.

Goals to Charlton Lacour and Charl Compaan allowed the Whangarei-based side to continue their march up the table after easily outclassing the West Auckland side.

"It was our first away win of the season and apart from anything else it makes the bus trip home a lot more fun, I can tell you that," coach Bruce Plunkett said.

The side has righted the ship after a disastrous start to the season and now sit well clear of the relegation zone, four off the bottom of the ladder in the Northern League First Division. North Force could even rise to sixth place if they can win again against lowly Metro next week.

More pleasing for the coach was the way they have been playing.

"We really controlled the match from the beginning," he said.

"We never got out of third gear and that proved to be more than enough to earn our first away win."

The win was even more pleasing for the coach because they were without the dynamic Scott Burgess, who missed a rare game for the side with work commitments.

League leaders Birkenhead could only manage a 1-1 draw with fourth placed Takapuna.

Albany defeated Papatoetoe 1-0.

In other matches Ellerslie maintained the pressure on Birkenhead with a 3-0 win over Mt Albert-Ponsonby.

Metro upset Ngaruawahia 1-0 to keep up their hopes of avoiding relegation.

Grading in the Northland senior league was completed at the weekend with Central Brown joining Tikipunga and Kamo in the premier league after thrashing Tikipunga Reserves.

In section two, Kerikeri beat the second-placed qualifier Madhatters Green 7-0 to complete grading unbeaten.

FC Whangarei walloped Kerikeri Reserves 9-0 to take the third qualifying spot.

Kaitaia Wayfarers put everything on the line in their match against Bream Bay, winning 6-5.

But they still finished one point adrift of FC Whangarei to narrowly miss out on the premier league.

In women's action yesterday Kamo prevailed over the other unbeaten team, Kerikeri High school, 3-1 to take the outright lead in the qualifying tournament.