Football: Ngongotaha rally for draw

Ngongotaha have drawn away from home against Waikato Unicol. Pictured is Ngongotaha goalkeeper James Towers in action earlier this season. Photo/Stephen Parker

Ngongotaha AFC have snatched a 1-1 draw away from home with a late goal against Waikato University.

Waikato Unicol and Ngongotaha AFC both won their opening matches last weekend in the Waikato Bay of Plenty Federation One competition and met during round two on Saturday.

Neither team could find a goal in the opening 45 minutes and went into the sheds with the scores locked at 0-0.

Unicol were first to score in the second half, thanks to Jono Sergeant.

As the clock started to run down, the home side looked increasingly likely to hold on to their lead but Ngongotaha had different plans.

The Rotorua side rallied well and scored with only a few minutes left through Dave Haua. Ngongotaha had a man sent off a few minutes later but the score did not change, finishing 1-1.

Ngongotaha will play at home this weekend against Matamata Swifts. The club will be relatively happy with their opening two matches, taking four points from a possible six.

In Federation Two, Rotorua United shot to the top of the league with a convincing 5-1 win against Tokoroa.

Captain Lawrie Scott and striker Shadley Petersen scored two goals each while new signing Justin Nichols also scored.

United will face their toughest task to date this season when they host Papamoa on Saturday at Neil Hunt Park. Papamoa have won their first two games in the Federation Two competition as well.