By Luke Austin
With Wellington Olympic securing their fourth consecutive Central League title, the race for National League qualification and the relegation scrap remain very much alive.
Miramar Rangers’ strong run of form was halted by a late Olympic winner scored by former player Hamish Watson in round 16.
This result handed Olympic the title and dented Miramar’s push for the coveted third place which provides a pass into the Men’s National League.
This Saturday, Miramar Rangers are away to Waterside Karori knowing they’ll need maximum points from their two remaining games to have a chance of leapfrogging Napier City Rovers on the table.
Fresh from sealing their league title and qualifying for the Chatham Cup final, Olympic will look to maintain their dominance as they host Petone.
Though the title is already decided, Olympic won’t want to take their foot off the gas as they look to extend their incredible run of 14 consecutive league wins.
Napier return home to take on North Wellington this Sunday following a disappointing loss away to Petone last time out.
With Miramar losing to Olympic, Napier missed a golden opportunity to open up a six-point lead over their rivals and all but secure their National League qualification.
Qualification still remains within Napier’s reach but they now must secure maximum points in their final two games, starting this week with a North Wellington side who have caused them problems in the league and Chatham cup this season.
Can the Blues get over the line without the firepower of star player Oscar Faulds?
The Swedish import set the league alight with 21 goals before heading overseas for a potential pro’ contract, and Rovers are missing his goals.
Game of the week
With two games remaining for 10th-placed Stop Out, they need four points to avoid the drop.
This Saturday, they host 9th-placed Island Bay United at Hutt Park in a do-or-die clash.
A loss would condemn Stop Out to relegation, while a win would mean a point in their final game against Miramar would be enough to send Island Bay down instead.
While a draw may be enough for Island Bay this Saturday, in what will be their final game of the season, they will be keen to avoid the nervous wait and get things over with by beating Stop Out for a second time this season.
It’s been a difficult campaign for both sides but expect an intense clash with everything on the line.
Player to watch
Experienced striker Sam Mason-Smith has been in fantastic form for Miramar Rangers this season and currently sits equal third on the Golden Boot leaderboard.
He has 13 goals, the same tally as former teammate Hamish Watson, with the pair having played together at several clubs over the years.
Mason-Smith will be one to keep an eye on as he looks to add more goals to his tally and help fire Miramar into the National League.
Golden Boot
21 — Oscar Faulds (Napier City Rovers)
15 — Lucas Meek (Western Suburbs)
13 — Sam Mason-Smith (Miramar Rangers), Hamish Watson (Wellington Olympic)
11 — Jack O’Connor (Petone)
9 — Tomas Alvarado (Waterside Karori), Martin Bueno (Miramar Rangers)
8 — Connor Wilson (Western Suburbs)
7 — Jesse Randall (Wellington Olympic), Isa Prins (Wellington Olympic), Connor Gaul (Stop Out)
6 — Tor Davenport Petersen (Wellington Olympic), Nicolas Bobadilla (Miramar Rangers),
5 — Ben Mata (Wellington Olympic), Miles Green (Western Suburbs), Luke Supyk (Wellington Phoenix), Stefan Ashby (Island Bay United, now Wellington Olympic), Josh Tollervey (Miramar Rangers), Henry Sinclair (North Wellington), Sam Lack (Napier City Rovers), Daniel Mackowem (Wellington Phoenix)
Fixtures
Games to be played on Saturday August 24, 2024
Stop Out v Island Bay United
Hutt Park, Upper Hutt, 2.30pm
Waterside Karori v Miramar Rangers
Karori Park, Karori, 2.30pm
Wellington Olympic v Petone
Wakefield Park, Island Bay, 3.45pm
Game to be played on Sunday August 25, 2024
Napier City Rovers v North Wellington
Bluewater Stadium, Napier, 2pm
Luke Austin
Luke Austin is a football fan and volunteer, who has played for Island Bay, and follows the Central League.
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