Football: No-goal decision costs Villagers

UNLUCKY DRAW: Ngongotaha's Alexis Pinto on the ball during Saturday's draw with Albany Utd. PHOTO/BEN FRASER 200517bf9.JPG<

Electronic goal line technology will probably never come to Stembridge Rd, but, had it been there, it could have given Ngongotaha a precious win on Saturday.

The Villagers coach Shane Davis is convinced a Mitch Miller shot from a tight angle hit one upright then the inside of the other, crossing the line, before bouncing out of the goal.

"From the angle I was looking at it from it definitely went in and the supporters on the other side who had a better view, they said it had crossed the line," he said.

Had the referee been of the same opinion, it would, potentially at least, have given Ngongotaha a victory, rather than forcing them to settle for a 2-all draw.

Davis said he was extremely pleased with his side's performance, describing it as the best the squad have played all year, but was understandably disappointed with the draw, regarding it as two competition points lost rather than one won.

"We dominated the majority of the game, so a 2-all draw isn't a really good reflection of what we achieved," he said.

The visitors scored the only goal of the first half, direct from a corner.

Yamil Casas equalised in the 54th minute before Miller put the hosts in front from the penalty spot in the 60th minute.

But with five to go, it was the visitors who found the net.

Next Saturday the Villagers travel to Auckland to take on Takapuna and the following weekend will be in Auckland again for the second round of the Chatham Cup where they have been drawn against AFF/NFF Conference side Beachlands Maraetai.

"They are at a similar level to [Bucklands Beach] who we played in the first round so we really shouldn't have a problem, but who knows in the Chatham Cup because teams lift themselves for it."

■ In the Loaded WaiBOP Premiership on Saturday Rotorua Utd beat Tauranga Boys' College 2-0.