31 AUG 1998 , Edition 2, Page 12.
Ngaruawahia on a roll
By: ANDERSON Ian
Ngaruawahia United could cap off the best season in the club’s history with third place in the Northern League division one soccer competition.
United thumped Manurewa 4-0 at home on Saturday to climb to fifth spot in the league and can rise further if their excellent form continues. Coach Jeff Coulshed has reminded his players since the end of the fairytale Chatham Cup run recently not to finish the season on a low note. His players have responded to the call.
Nikolai Helwig netted a hat trick for the winners at Centennial Park with captain Matty Williams getting the other. This week’s encounter will be a lot harder however, with Ngaruawahia still likely to be without the injured Kerry Hawkes and Gary Kingi and the unavailable Wayne Bates for an away trip to already promoted Tauranga City.
Melville United turned in a poor effort after recent revitalisation to lose 3-2 away to Papakura City. The visitors could have scored a hatful in the first 10 minutes but lost discipline after that and went down despite goals from Stu Timings and Warren Beal.
Cambridge increased their hopes of remaining in division two with a 6-1 home thumping of Manukau City. Cambridge looked certainties for relegation midway through the season but have lifted themselves into a spot where escape is a definite possibility.
Claudelands Rovers scored a 2-0 away win against Mt Albert Ponsonby in the same division to move up to fourth and could still grab third spot over their last four matches .
In division three, Matamata Swifts have all but given up their promotion push after a 3-all away draw with Albany United. Swifts had goals from Marcus Woods, Andre Bos and John Van Gog to rescue a point after they trailed 3-1 following a lamentable first-half display.
Taupo and Navy appear certain for * promotion with Swifts third, with Te Awamutu fifth following a 6-0 away hammering of Pukekohe.