By David Larkin
South Auckland clubs Manurewa and Manukau United will meet in a two-legged play-off series this weekend that neither would have wanted.
Though finishing third from the bottom in the Northern League, Manurewa need to win the home and away fixture to stay in the competition.
Manukau United, runners-up in the Lotto NRFL Men’s Championship, need to win the series to claim promotion to the Northern League.
In a typical season, both would be already assured of places in the 2025 Northern League.
This year’s edition of the Northern League and NRFL Championship features an extra layer to the usual promotion and relegation system, with end-of-season play-off to decide promotion and relegation for two unfortunate clubs.
This comes as a result of the arrival of Auckland’s new A-League club, Auckland FC, and the need to enter their reserves team into the Northern League.
A less-than-smooth decision-making process led to the decision to make a one-off change to the way clubs would move between the Northern League and the Championship.
(Waikato clubs Melville United and Hamilton Wanderers were automatically relegated, filling the bottom two spots, and Championship winners Fencibles United won automatic promotion.)
The national body have apologised for the late call on the change to the promotion/relegation regulation, after a number of clubs filed complaints, including NRFL Championship winners Fencibles United.
Now, Manurewa have to fight for their place in the league.
Manukau, who staged a hard-fought late season resurgence to clinch second position, have to reach deep for one more effort.
This first leg is set to be played on Saturday at Manurewa’s home ground of War Memorial Park with kick-off scheduled for 3pm.
Manukau will go into the match with plenty of confidence after a strong finish to the regular season.
Coach Gordon Paulsen’s side were a distant third heading into the midway point of their NRFL Championship campaign, but closed the gap to rival promotion chasers Ngaruawahia United, overtaking them with a few rounds to go.
Manukau’s record of eight wins from their last 10 matches is a daunting prospect for their opponents.
Manukau will be highly motivated to return to the top flight at the first time of asking, as their last-place finish in the Northern League last season saw them drop down to the Championship.
After a disappointing season, Manurewa will be desperate to keep their place in the league.
This season’s record was in stark contrast to last season’s success when they qualified for the Men’s National League.
They’ve fallen far from their 4th place in last year’s Northern League and 6th place in the National League to now having to scramble for survival in the top tier.
Rewa’s form coming into this game will be worrying for head coach Dylan Burns as his side have only managed to win only one game from their last 15, though that win was against league champions Auckland City.
Manurewa does have history on their side as the past head-to-head record against Manukau is in their favour.
Rewa secured a clean sweep of wins in both matches against their fellow South Auckland side in last season’s Northern League.
A 3-0 win at home and a 1-0 away victory.
Rewa’s side is quite different from last season’s version, with some high profile departures at the end of last season, including both top goalscorers, in former All White Monty Patterson and midfielder Nicolas Bobadilla.
They also lost a couple of players to Manukau as defender Dylan Horgan and winger Boon Ozawa made the move, with both players likely to feature against their old side on Saturday.
The line-up Manurewa played in their last match against Manukau featured a number of players who are no longer at the club — only five players from the matchday squad chose to remain in the blue and gold for this season’s campaign.
While Manukau have gained a couple of players from Rewa, they have also lost a couple in exchange with both Kentaro Ozaki and Aiden Price joining the Northern League club at the end of last season.
Player to watch
Manukau’s Dylan Horgan’s positional shift into midfield has proved a success, with the new signing even topping the goal scorer charts for his new side with 11 goals for the season (tied with Mohammed Shahafi).
Horgan (25) featured as a centre back for Manurewa in last year’s campaign but has transitioned into midfield for his new side, and his exploits this season have certainly helped them claim a chance at promotion.
Horgan has also become the penalty taker for Manukau which has made a significant contribution to his goals, but his goal threat has been considerable in open play too as the central midfielder consistently places himself in shooting positions.
In particular, he loves testing the goalkeeper from the edge of the box.
Horgan will be out to prove himself this week as he takes on his old club at his former home ground of War Memorial Park.
Fixtures
Game to be played on Saturday September 14, 2024
First leg
Manurewa v Manukau United
Manurewa War Memorial Park, Manurewa, 3pm
Game to be played on Saturday September 21 2024
Second leg
Manukau United v Manurewa
Walter Massey Park, Manukau, 3pm
David Larkin
Friends of Football writer David Larkin plays community football for Auckland club Manurewa.
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