PREVIEW: High stakes finish looms for Lotto NRFL Men’s Northern Conference

By Jack Sharp

Five clubs face a nerve-jangling finish to the Lotto NRFL Men’s Northern Conference season.

With only two rounds left — and a key catch-up fixture — the title could go to any of three clubs, while two sides still face a potential relegation.

Last weekend, Waitemata lost to title rivals Northland, ensuring the race goes to the final set of games.

With the title comes the right to play Southern Conference champions Cambridge in a two-legged play-off to decide who plays in next season’s Lotto NRFL Men’s Championship.

Of the three title contenders, Waiheke United have the toughest fixtures, having to play Northland (away) and Waitemata (home).

At least, that leaves Waiheke’s fate entirely in their own hands.

Northland face a home/away double against midtable Bucklands Beach who have nothing left to play for, other than pride.

The run-in for the title

The relegation fight

Oratia United are all but sure to finish bottom of the competition, and they’ll be relegated to next year’s NRF Men’s League One.

But two clubs go down this year, so who will join them in the drop?

The contenders are Beachlands Maraetai and Te Atatu.

Beachlands face title-chasing Waitemata this weekend, and Oratia a week later.

Te Atatu, who were promoted to the conference after an outstanding League One campaign in 2023, badly need to win both their remaining games, while hoping Beachlands Maraetai slip, at least once.

One more thing …

Despite Waiheke United, Waitemata and Northland slipping clear of the field, the competition’s top three goalscorers all come from midtable teams.

The Golden Boot is being fought between Mark Giles (Beachlands Maraetai) and Sander Waterland (Bucklands Beach), with Albany United’s James Chamberlain-Barlow still an outside chance if he cuts loose against Oratia United this weekend.

Golden Boot

15 — Mark Giles (Beachlands Maraetai)
14 — Sander Waterland (Bucklands Beach)
11— James Chamberlain-Barlow (Albany United)
10 — Nico Vanina (Waiheke United)
9 — Kyle Levell (Northland)
8 — Adam Hargood (Waitemata), Fumiya Ito (Northland), Josh Smith (Bucklands Beach)
6 — Alexander Thurbon (Beachlands Maraetai), Ramon Lindner (Waiheke United), Shane Tanner (Waitemata), Ethan Carter (Northland)
5 — Harry Murphy (Waitemata), Lyle Jones (Bucklands Beach), Diego Carvajal (Waiheke United), Gian Krauer (Albany United), Lukas Webster (Waitemata), Milan Clarke (Northland)
4 — Ali Ryou Zeyni (Beachlands Maraetai), Andy Kapteyn (Oratia United), Arnold Kochasira (Waitemata), Daniel Peak (Te Atatu), Jared Colligan (Te Atatu), Mikael Munday (Northland), Oliver Peters (Beachlands Maraetai), Roy van Leeuwen (Waitemata), Sergio Lindner (Waiheke United), Seth McGuinness (Albany United)

Fixtures

Games to be played on Saturday August 31, 2024

Oratia United v Albany United
Parrs Park, Oratia, 3pm

Te Atatu v Bucklands Beach
Te Atatu Peninsula Park, Te Atatu, 3pm

Northland v Waiheke United
Trigg Arena, Whangarei, 3pm

Waitemata v Beachlands Maraetai
McLeod Park, Te Atatu, 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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