Schoolboys eliminate Keri prems from Chatham Cup

Saturday menKerikeri Bay Builders 2 Mt Albert Grammar 5 (ht 1-3): The Kerikeri prems eliminated from the ASB Chatham Cup by a deceptively youthful Mt Albert Grammar 1st XI in Waipapa on Saturday as round 1 of the national knockout tournament was completed over the weekend. There was glimmer of hope for the homeside when Harry Stream scored his second to make it 2-3 and a comeback looked to be on the cards, before Mt Albert Grammar School scored twice more to put a stop to the homeside hopes.

In other Chatham Cup news, Keri's prem div stablemates, FC Whangarei, held Northern League Division One side Western Springs to 0-0 at halftime in Whangarei before going out 3-0.

The Keri side's prem div round 5 clash against Tikipunga was postponed and the side has a bye in round 6 this coming Saturday.

FC Whangarei 3 Kaitaia United Justa Plumber 2 (ht 0-1): Earlier in the day in a galaxy further south, Kaitaia led twice in this men's 1st div match against a bigger and more physical Madhatters before the homeside scored the match winner near the end of time to bring a heartbreaking result for the visitors' efforts. Kaitaia goals by View Rungpao (a cracker by all accounts) and Brad Mannell, the latter named as a standout alongside Luke Wilson and Hamsah Al Jumaily. All the FC goals were headers in a clash which had an unusual kick-off right on noon on Morningside Park.

Kerikeri Pioneer Reserves 2 Tikipunga Orange 1: The Chatham Cup match was curtain-raised by the Keri reserves who narrowly bested Tikipunga in round 5 of what is becoming a hugely competitive 1st division championship to stay top of the standings.

1st div standings, all played 5: Kerikeri (f/a 20/5) 11 points, FC (14/6) 11, Kaitaia (15/6) 9, Mad Green (9/10) 9, Central (8/6) 5, Tiki Orange (9/11) 3, Mad Blue (5/20) 3, Tiki Blue (1/16) 0.

Kerikeri Masters vs Madhatters Red CANCELLED: The Kerikeri Masters complete their 2nd division grading campaign at the top of the table so one 'paper' title already this year to add to last year's Over 35 championship thus progression to the 2nd div proper next week. This final grading game in Waipapa was called off late last week due to the untimely death of a Madhatters player which saw all Madhatters sides withdraw from their respective competitions as a mark of respect.

Madhatters Black vs Kaitaia United Top Roofer CANCELLED: The writing was already on the wall well before this match was abandoned (see above) that the Kaitaia Killer Bs would not be advancing to the 2nd division. Finishing in bottom half of their grading standings, the newest team in the Northland football looks forward to contesting the 3rd div championship with optimism.

Onerahi 2 Bay Cosmos 2: Jeff May scoring both Cosmos goals, "cracking ones" too he added, but the homeside equalising twice to share the points from this 2nd div grading clash in Onerahi. Cosmos player of the day was May's son, Tyrell, who played the full 90 despite suffering a nasty crash on his dirtbike the day before. May was confident the side will now go forth to contest the 2nd div championship.

The Northland men's 2nd div grading standings remain incomplete on the NFF website. The draw for the new men's 2nd and 3rd divisions will be sorted early this week and should be available for publication in Thursday's Age.

Sunday womenKerikeri Siteworx 1 Kamo 3 (0-2): The prem division leaders going down at home to last year's champions on Sunday in round 5 of the Northland women's premier division. Keri spokesperson Kate Liddington said everyone was still happy with the way they played, particularly in the second half which saw them putting the visitors under considerable pressure.

"Had a really, really good second half. We came out and last part, played down their ends. Next time!" Liddington promised.

Standout was Aidan McManus who played right wing and right back, while also notable was goalie Ellie Liddington with a stunning save, and the manner in which homeside celebrated the sole goal by Nikki Osborne: "You would have thought we'd won the world cup!"

Hora Hora 2 Kerikeri High School 4 (ht 1-1): Kerikeri High School coach Russell McCabe said it was a very entertaining game played at Tarewa Park in fine late autumn conditions with each side gaining and scoring a penalty on the day.

"Good football played by both sides, good passing good possession. Very competitive: girls had to fight to get the ball and fight to keep it." Both Macca Moselen and Emma bagged a brace each with Kerikeri POTD awarded to the whole team.

Tikipunga 0 Bay Cosmos 4 (ht 2-0): Cosmos coach Jeff May described this battle of the cellar dwellers as quite "slow" to watch although his side did manage some "good passing" during a match which they dominated, albeit while missing a decent link between midfield and forwards which could have made the scoreline even greater. Goals by Erin Williams 2, Jennifer Crowley and Cayla Willoughby; with POTD awarded to striker Shonelle Tautari.

The women's prem div standings were, Kerikeri High (played 5, f/a 26/9) 10 points, Keri Siteworx (5, 13/7) 10, Kamo (3, 9/2) 9, FC (4, 20/7) 6, Hora Hora (4, 17/9) 3, Bay Cosmos (3, 4/5) 3, Tikpunga (4, 0/50) 0.

OBITUARY: Northern Football Federation expressed condolences to the family and friends of Andy Clubley, a well-known Whangarei policeman who passed away tragically this week after an accident in Whangarei last Sunday. Andy was actively involved in the Whangarei footballing community for a number of years, played for the Madhatters Football Club's first division men's team, coached juniors at the Tikipunga Football Club, and has played in the Tikipunga summer league for over 10 years. Clubs were encouraged to observe a minute's silence before games last weekend.