By David Larkin
Fencibles United and Manukau United remain at the top of the Lotto NRFL Men’s Championship, despite dropping points in the final stretch of their campaigns.
With only three rounds left, Fencibles have one hand on the championship trophy, despite losing to Hibiscus Coast last weekend — the second time they’ve succumbed to Coast this season.
Manukau United missed their chance to gain ground, losing 3-1 to relegation-threatened Metro, but recovered in midweek with a 1-0 win against Onehunga Mangere United.
While Manukau appear to have ceded their chance of catching Fencibles, they’ll need to finish well to hold off Ngaruawahia United for the coveted promotion play-off spot.
Third-placed Ngaruawahia put Ellerslie away 2-0 last weekend.
Fencibles have another shot at securing the title with games to spare if they can successfully dispatch a Metro side who will be riding high after their big upset win last weekend.
Metro are now three points away from safety, as their two competitors in the relegation fight also managed to pick up points on the weekend.
North Shore battered an already-relegated Franklin side 7-0, while Takapuna turned around some recent poor form to clinch what could be a crucial point against fourth-placed Rovers.
Hibiscus Coast’s win against Fencibles has seen them gain two places to now reside in fifth, but they’ll need to dispatch Mt Albert Ponsonby on Saturday to retain their spot on the table, as they are only a point away.
Onehunga Mangere ended a brutal six-game losing streak to claim their first points since June when they Mt Albert Ponsonby 5-2.
Their poor form meant that they were in danger of being dragged into a relegation battle, but they could put that to rest this weekend if they manage to clinch a win against Rovers.
Ellerslie had a tough couple of fixtures over the last week and couldn’t manage to grab any points or score in either of them.
It doesn’t get any easier for the Ponies as they face the top two sides in the league in their next two matches.
Game of the week
With the title almost wrapped up by Fencibles with a couple rounds to spare, focus shifts to the relegation battle which has heated up after all three candidates for the second relegation spot claimed points on the weekend, strengtenhing their respective campaigns to remain in regional football’s second tier.
This weekend’s clash between North Shore United and Takapuna at Allen Hill Stadium now appears to be a crucial match for both teams securing their safety in the league.
North Shore have certainly proved they just about deserve to stay up, with a string of excellent results against some of the league’s top teams has seen them climb away from the relegation zone.
They come into this match with positive momentum after two wins and two draws in their last four outings, including a big away win over Ngaruawahia United.
The previous results between these sides suggest a close encounter. While Takapuna won the reverse fixture, these sides also met in this season’s Chatham Cup, resulting in victory for North Shore.
Player to watch
Metro’s Kazik Swain made an impact for his new club last week, scoring a first-half brace to help secure a crucial three points to keep his club’s hopes for survival alive.
The defensive midfielder progressed through Auckland United’s pathway to their senior team and was instrumental in their U-17’s team title win in the U-17 National Youth League last year.
Swain (18) made his way to Metro in mid-May, making his debut in their goalless draw against Mt Albert Ponsonby in Round 10.
His club’s future in the league is on a knife edge at the moment as they are still three points adrift, with only three rounds to play.
Swain can contribute to a potential great escape for his new club.
Bold prediction
I predict Manukau United will beat Ellerslie at Walter Massey Park on Saturday.
I also predict Hibiscus Coast will continue their good form with a win against Mt Albert Ponsonby at Anderson Park
Last week, I predicted Manukau would win both their matches in the week, and Northern Rovers and Mt Albert Ponsonby would also pick up wins. Manukau could win only one of their matches while Rovers drew with Takapuna and Mt Albert Ponsonby lost to Onehunga Mangere United.
Golden Boot
21 — Darius Palma (Ngaruawahia United)
16 — Daniel Bunch (Fencibles United)
15 — Kodie Nicol (Fencibles United)
11 — Dylan Horgan (Manukau United)
10 — Adam Creaney (Metro), Aston Burns (Fencibles United), Joao Moreira (Takapuna), Reuben Henderson (Ngaruawahia United), Brodie Putt (North Shore United)
9 — Sam Tutton (Mt Albert Ponsonby), Tinotenda Mupemhena (Franklin United), Nick Petherick (North Shore United)
8 — Meysum Shafahi (Manukau United)
7 — Aidan Price (Onehunga Mangere United), Sam Freeman (Metro), Scott Sellar (Mt Albert Ponsonby)
6 — Hamsa Moosvi (Manukau United), Levi Clark (Ngaruawahia United), Max Adamson (Fencibles United), Daniel Cyra (Hibiscus Coast), Tom Durkin (Ellerslie)
5 — Astor Perez Baldoni (Ellerslie), Rowan Corbett (Ellerslie), Ryan Cain (Northern Rovers), Will Litchfield (Ellerslie)
Fixtures
Games to be played on Saturday August 17, 2024
Ngaruawahia United v Franklin United
Centennial Park, Ngaruawahia, 3pm
North Shore United v Takapuna
Allen Hill Stadium, Devonport, 3pm
Northern Rovers v Onehunga Mangere United
McFetridge Park, Glenfield, 3pm
Mt Albert Ponsonby v Hibiscus Coast
Anderson Park, Mt Albert, 3pm
Fencibles United v Metro
Riverhills Park, Pakuranga, 3pm
Manukau United v Ellerslie
Walter Massey Park, Manukau, 3pm
David Larkin
Friends of Football writer David Larkin plays community football for Auckland club Manurewa.
More football stories
