Cambridge’s Krishaant Singh, who scored the team’s only goal on debut, shields the ball from Claudelands’ Alex Whitehead.
Cambridge had plenty to celebrate as it cut the cake of 75 years of football last weekend – but the result of their conference league team wasn’t one.
The hosts were beaten 4-1 by Claudelands Rovers at John Kerkhof Park in Cambridge.
It started well enough for the Reds in the new look eight-team Northern League Southern Conference’s Waikato derby match when debutant Krishaant Singh capitalised on Claudelands’ goalie Aizak Howell’s failure to clear a cross from Rahim Nabizada.
But it was all Claudelands in the second half with goals to Henry Stephen, Charlie Young and Harry Christensen-Rose who netted twice.
Cambridge, better known for their red and white striped shirts, turned out in a red and white quarters strip – a nod to the club’s history on a weekend when the 75th anniversary was celebrated.
Waipā neighbours Te Awamutu, playing at home and in the same conference, edged Ōtūmoetai 3-2 with goals to Moses Glenister, Joel Roil and Braedyn Webber.
The eight-club competition brings together two clubs from last season’s Lotto NRFL division two, and the best-performing clubs from the WaiBOP Premiership.
In other matches Unicol beat Ngongotaha 4-1 and Taupō won 5-1 at home to Papamoa.
Cambridge and Claudelands Rovers, the two teams from the previous second division, met at John Kerkhof Park, with Rovers coach Paul Richardson returning home to his previous club.
It was also a debut for young new Cambridge coach Jordan Shaw, a former Hamilton Wanderers player in the national league and a guest player for Cambridge’s side at the national U-19s tournament in Napier just over a decade ago.
He replaced last season’s co-coaches Anthony Meiklejohn (now at Te Awamutu) and Bradley Rea (to coach Matamata Swifts next season).
Both Cambridge and Claudelands have plenty to celebrate this year – Rovers 100 years of football and Cambridge 75.
Hundreds converged on John Kerkhof Park to celebrate. There was a meet and greet on the Friday night and on Saturday night more than 120 people gathered at the Sir Don Rowlands Event Centre to wrap up the celebration.
-
- Cambridge’s Blake Wisnewski watches on agonisingly as the ball heads into touch beating him and Claudelands Alex Whitehead seconds before the referee blew full time.
-
- Cambridge’s Blake Wisnewski watches on agonisingly as the ball heads into touch beating him and Claudelands Alex Whitehead seconds before the referee blew full time.
