SOCCER - Force's fostering of young talent pays dividends

For dedicated North Force fans on a budget, Saturday was the right time to buy the team a commiseration round - more than half the team on Saturday were well-shy of the legal drinking age.
The top Northland football team was perhaps in need of a drink after they had played some very smart tactics to dominate the first half of their final match of the season against the star-studded Metro side. But they were eventually defeated 2-4.
While the loss may not have been the end to the season they wanted, ruining their chance of finishing in fifth place in the very competitive league, it did show what young talent has been fostered at the club this season
So the decision of coach Paul Cross to "throw his hat into the ring" and seek nomination for the coaching position for next season is an interesting one.
The management team led by Cross has worked hard at giving Northland's developing talent exposure to the top-grade this year, and that certainly paid dividends in Saturday's match.
The team was struggling for numbers in their last hit-out with injury problems seeing several 15- and 16-year-olds, who started the season playing for the reserve side, on the pitch.
Players like Mark Ruddell, Conor von Keisenburg, Nathan Steel and Matthew Ward have flourished this season and none were over-awed going up against Metro players such as former English professional Sean Devine and the swag of Brazilians in the side.
The home side were early leaders thanks to a Scott Burgess goal - scored after a one-two combination with Sammy Oso in the eighth minute.
Oso was in fine form, and continually threatened the Metro defence, but blew a gilt-edged chance to put them further ahead ten minutes later.
An own-goal from Metro put FC up 2-0 before Devine brought the score back to 2-1 with a penalty.
The visitors then gained the ascendancy in the second half by getting their passing game working effectively and forcing the home side to defend.
Devine equalised with a beautifully hit 25m drive in the 52nd minute, but it was Metro midfielder Daniel Chavez who broke the deadlock with 10 to go with a scrappy goal.
"We played them off the park in the first spell but they (Metro) got more physical in the second half and the boys allowed themselves to be pushed off the ball a little and that was enough to put them off and turn the game," Cross said.
The North Force women's team had a 3-1 win over Hibiscus Coast yesterday to win the United Soccer One title for the second year in a row.
Their victory put them five points clear of second-placed Glenfield Rovers.
In Northland premier league matches Kerikeri spanked Tikipunga 8-1, while Onerahi continued to further sour Kaikohe's season with a thrilling 6-4 victory at the airport.
Kamo continued their recent good run with a 3-2 win over Central Brown while league leaders FC Whangarei continued their march toward the title with a 6-1 demolition of Madhatters.