By Jack Sharp
Winless Oratia United have a tough assignment this weekend when they host runaway leaders Waitemata in the Lotto NRFL Men’s Northern Conference.
Oratia’s hopes of avoiding relegation took a hit last weekend when they were on the end of a 5-1 drubbing by closest rivals Beachlands Maraetai, who now have a six-point buffer (and a significantly better goal difference).
Waitemata saw off second-placed Waiheke United, with a 1-0 win at McLeod Park, to extend their lead to 10 points.
Over the next three rounds, Waitemata face teams from the bottom half of the competition in Oratia (8th), Bucklands Beach (5th) and Te Atatu (6th).
As long as they hold their form in those games, Waitemata should be close to nailing the title with games to spare.
Game of the week
Northland and Albany United meet in the round’s most even match-up, with both teams still capable of catching leaders Waitemata if the west Aucklanders hit a slump in form.
Northland’s fixture against Bucklands Beach was postponed last weekend, while Albany secured an important 2-1 win at Te Atatu.
This leaves the clubs with a game in hand on Waitemata and second-placed Waiheke United, and the winner of Saturday’s match at Whangarei’s Trigg Arena could climb into second spot.
Northland haven’t won since June 28, losing since to Waiheke United 2-0 and drawing 2-2 with Waitemata.
Albany haven’t lost since June 28, beating Beachlands Maraetai 4-1 and Te Atatu 2-1.
Player to watch
Marc Porter (34) played his first game for Te Atatu in 2006, fresh out of Massey High School.
Last weekend, the Te Atatu captain played his 100th game for the club.
In a tribute to Porter, club president Dave Caples said: “Although he’s left a couple of times to pursue opportunities, Marc knows where his home is and is very proud to wear the Te Atatū AFC logo on his chest.
“We are very lucky to have had Porter for 100 games. He has played a big part of our club’s latest achievements.”
Porter was part of the Te Atatu side that reached the last 16 of the Chatham Cup in 2016, and he led the team to promotion from NRF League One last year.
“Marc is our captain, he leads by example and is a great role model to the young lads,” Caples said.
“The club is beyond proud, and congratulations Marc on his 100th game.”
Bold prediction
Bucklands Beach have been hard to track this season. Their recent form includes a 6-1 win against Te Atatu and a 5-0 rout of Beachlands Maraetai. But they fired blanks in their scoreless draw with Oratia United and a 0-2 loss to Albany.
They face Waiheke United at Onetangi who have the tightest defence in the league, having conceded only 13 goals, and who’ll have plenty of vocal home support.
I’ll predict Bucklands Beach will find it difficult to breach the Waiheke rearguard who’ll win, and keep a clean sheet.
Last week, I predicted leaders Waitemata would make sure nearest rivals Waiheke United didn’t close the gap on them, either through a draw or narrow win. Waitemata won 1-0.
Golden Boot
11 — Sander Waterland (Bucklands Beach)
9 — James Chamberlain-Barlow (Albany United), Mark Giles (Beachlands Maraetai)
7 — Adam Hargood (Waitemata), Fumiya Ito (Northland)
6 — Kyle Levell (Northland), Josh Smith (Bucklands Beach)
5 — Alexander Thurbon (Beachlands Maraetai), Lyle Jones (Bucklands Beach), Ramon Lindner (Waiheke United), Nico Vanina (Waiheke United)
4 — Ali Ryou Zeyni (Beachlands Maraetai), Andy Kapteyn (Oratia United), Arnold Kochasira (Waitemata), Daniel Peak (Te Atatu), Ethan Carter (Northland), Gian Krauer (Albany United), Harry Murphy (Waitemata), Jared Colligan (Te Atatu), Lukas Webster (Waitemata), Milan Clarke (Northland), Oliver Peters (Beachlands Maraetai), Roy van Leeuwen (Waitemata), Sergio Lindner (Waiheke United), Shane Tanner (Waitemata)
Fixtures
Games to be played on Saturday July 27, 2024
Oratia United v Waitemata
Parrs Park, Oratia, 3pm
Te Atatu v Beachlands Maraetai
Te Atatu Peninsula Park, Te Atatu, 3pm
Northland v Albany United
Trigg Arena, Whangarei, 3pm
Waiheke United v Bucklands Beach
Onetangi Sports Complex, Waiheke, 3pm
Jack Sharp
Jack Sharp is a long-time follower of club football in New Zealand and is a volunteer writer for Friends of Football. You can show your appreciation for his work by buying him a coffee.
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