Melville United and Claudelands Rovers stay on track for promotion

Owen Comber on the ball for Claudelands FC in their 4-1 win against Metro FC. Photo / Pete Davies

Claudelands Rovers and Melville United are both still on track for promotion after the latest round in Northern League football.

At Galloway Park on Saturday, Claudelands defeated Metro FC 4-1 to stay in touch with the league leaders, although two players will miss the next round of games after being ejected from the pitch after a brawl between players.

Claudelands took the lead within 10 minutes of kick-off as Jono Vivani found his way through the Metro defence and put the ball in the back of the net.

Owen Comber, who has been a standout performer for the team so far this season then put Claudelands 2-0 up. Comber was played through on the left flank and made no mistake in front of goal tucking the ball past the keeper.

In the 75th minute, Metro gave Claudelands a scare as Josh Chemis pulled one back for Metro, but the home side responded quickly and scored two more.

Jono Viviani first scored his second of the game before Bailey Webster scored the goal of the match with a long range effort which beat Metro's keeper Henry van Dyk.

In the last minutes of the game a brawl began, with Jono Vivani and Bailey Webster both issued red cards. They will miss the game against Albany United next weekend.

Melville United held on to their lead at the top of the table in division one after a difficult 2-1 win against Ellerslie Football Club.

Jama Boss was the hero again for Melville as he scored twice to make sure that the team's promotion push remained on track.

Hamilton Wanderers were defeated 2-0 against Waitākere United and dropped to fifth in the Premier League.

In the women's league, Wanderers held on to a 1-1 draw against champions Three Kings United. Ella Golding scored in the first half before Sophie Stewart-Hobbs pulled one back for Three Kings.

Claudelands nightmare continued at the bottom of the table, losing 6-1 to Forrest Hill.