By Max Fletcher
After outstanding seasons for both clubs, it all comes down to one last game for Waiheke United and Cambridge.
They meet at Onetangi Sports Complex on Saturday to decide which side wins promotion to the Lotto NRFL Men’s Championship.
Main photo: Saturday’s all-or-nothing play-off will be an intense affair at Waiheke United’s home ground.
Cambridge will catch the Hauraki Gulf ferry with a 1-0 lead, earned in last Saturday’s first leg of the two-game series, but Waiheke United will back themselves to overhaul the Waikato visitors.
Waiheke are in the play-offs, having won the Lotto NRFL Men’s Northern Conference, while Cambridge won all 21 games to take the Southern Conference title.
Last weekend’s first leg saw nine yellow cards in the game (four to Cambridge, five to Waiheke) so this game will be high intensity.
Promotion will be decided by the aggregate score from both play-off games. If the aggregate score is level after 90 minutes, the sides will play 30 minutes of extra time, and then penalties will decide the outcome if the scoreline remains locked.
The kick-off has been set for 2pm, in case the game runs late.
The first leg of this match was an end-to-end game with both sides willing to throw players forward.
Both goalkeepers, Cambridge’s Wade Vincent and Waiheke’s Sebastian Ciganda, pulled off some brilliant saves.
Cambridge took the lead in the 5th minute when their leading goalscorer, Jack Connor, met a cross at the far post.
Minutes before halftime, Waiheke had a potential equalizer controversially disallowed.
Waiheke had most of the second-half chances, putting Cambridge under pressure, but the Reds’ defence was superb and earned their clean sheet.
Both clubs were well supported, creating atmosphere and tension at John Kerkhof Park.
Cambridge’s speedy youngster Rahim Nabizada said: ” I haven’t had a lot of exposure to big crowds. It was definitely the biggest crowd I’ve played in front of and the most noise and the most important game l’ve been a part in.”
When asked about the return fixture at Waiheke he said: “We are just going to have to focus on the game and not let their supporters get to us because that is what they are known for, and they do a good job bringing the atmosphere.”
Bold prediction
This weekend’s second leg will likely be another cagey affair with Cambridge having the advantage.
They’ll want another early goal to put the game to bed.
I predict this one to be a 1-1 draw with Cambridge winning promotion on the aggregate scoreline.
Fixture
Game to be played on Saturday September 21 2024
Second leg
Waiheke United v Cambridge
Onetangi Sports Complex, Waiheke, 2pm
*Cambridge lead 1-0 after first leg
Max Fletcher
Waikato-based Max Fletcher is a writer for Friends of Football. He’s also a qualified football and futsal referee.
This story was first published on September 20, 2024.
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