SOCCER - Third red card as Force loses cool

It was a case of the one that got away when North Force met Takapuna in the US1 Premiership at Tikipunga Sports Park.
North Force started Saturday's match lethargically but quickly snapped into action after Takapuna nailed the first goal of the game early in the piece.
Ten minutes into the game, midfielder Calvin Erick went off with a leg injury and was replaced by Sammy Oso. Moments later Oso found the net with an impressive bicycle kick to even up the score. It was Oso's second goal for the day, after he played in the earlier reserve grade match.
By the midway mark, North Force were up 2-1, following a great Steve Crowley pass to Murray Wootten, who headed the ball home to put his side in front.
It was Wootten's first time in the starting line-up for the premier side this season, although he has gone on off the bench on several occasions. Wootten was commended for his solid 90 minutes on the pitch by coach Dean Wheatley after the match. Another player who stood out was Waiakeri Birch, making his debut for North Force at mid-back.
Birch had defended and tackled consistently throughout the match, and proved a welcome addition to the side, Wheatley said.
Things looked positive for North Force as the second half kicked off but it all turned pear-shaped five minutes later when the North Shore side levelled the scores with a goal from a shot that deflected off unlucky North Force skipper Bruce Plunkett.
It set off a patch of bad luck for the Force, who conceded a penalty following a late tackle from Birch.
Takapuna had gained momentum and quickly found the net once more.
However, Oso replied, netting his third goal of the day.
The second half was plagued with niggle and plenty of talk on-field and from the sideline.
In the closing minutes of the game, Takapuna scored yet another goal to take the final score to 5-3.
However, North Force questioned the referee's ruling, as to whether the player was offside or not, and ill-discipline reared its ugly head in the team once more.
Mike Crowley was sent off - his third red card this season - for swearing at the linesman, leaving a sour note on a game that, for the most part, had been full of entertaining and skilful football.
Wheatley's frustration showed after the match.
"We were up 2-1 at halftime, and I said we can't afford to give anything away, and we did," he said.
"We did manage to come back there but it wasn't enough. We lost our composure.
"Takapuna are third and we're still showing we can give as good as we get, but not winning - it's becoming like a long-playing record."
This Saturday, eighth-placed North Force will play Waitakere, who sit second on the table, at Kamo, kick-off at 3.15pm.
Meanwhile, North Force reserves had better luck in their US1 premier reserve game against Takapuna
Garreth Blythe was outstanding, scoring a hat-trick, while Isaac Lindsay, sent on during the second half, scored a double.
Oso's goal saw North Force to a 6-4 victory.
North Force are fifth after Saturday's win and will challenge the third-placed Waitakere side.
Today, Takapuna premiers were to try their luck again in the north against Kerikeri FC in a Chatham Cup match at Waipapa Domain.
The match starts at 2pm.