Time for women’s team to shine

22 Sep 2024 • By Roy Pilott

22 September 3.15pm

Cambridge takes a 1-0 advantage into the second round of the Women’s Conference playoff against Onehunga Mangere following its win in Auckland today.

Caitlin Varcoe’s first half goal was the only difference between the two teams.

Round two will be played on Sunday at John Kerkof Park in Cambridge at 1pm.

The team in Auckland today. Photo: Supplied.

22 September 1.55pm

Caitlin Varcoe has scored for Cambridge in its Women’s Conference playoff match against Onehunga Mangere in Auckland today.

The match kicked off at the earlier time of 1pm at the Mangere Domain.

The starting line up is: Aimee Archibald, Sienna Frethey, Zoe Thomas, Brooke Suisted, Caitlin Varcoe, Kaylee Oosthuysen (captain), Olivia Bult, Charlotte Harries, Sophie Harries, Zoë Fon, Emma Sherburn. The impact bench is: Monika Vaughan, Casey Harris, Olivia Milne, Rachel Hill and Kristy Roa.

Cambridge Women’s first v Onehunga Mangere. Photo: Supplied.

Cambridge wins promotion to Northern League

21 September 4.05pm

Cambridge FC has won promotion to Northern League men’s championship following its 1-0 win over Waiheke United in the second leg at Onetangi Sports Complex on Waiheke Island today.

A 65th minute goal by speedy youngster Rahim Nabizada – from a Josh Clarkin pass – to go with the fifth minute goal by Jack Connor in the first leg at Cambridge’s John Kerkhof Park, was enough to cap the Reds’ season off in style.

Waiheke, wearing red for the home match, did all it could to pull back the 2-0 aggregate lead and despite support from a parochial crowd was unable to do so.

Cambridge won all its 21 games in the Northern League’s southern conference while Waiheke narrowly took out the northern conference.

21 September 3.45pm

Cambridge has taken the lead against Waiheke United in the second leg of North League Football’s play off series at Onetangi Sports Complex on Waiheke Island today.

A 65th minute goal from Rahim Nabizada broke the stalemate to the delight of the Reds’ travelling contingent. Cambridge won the opening fixture 1-0 at John Kerkhof Park in Cambridge and lead 2-0 on aggregate.

Waiheke now have to score twice to be in with a chance of promotion.

Promotion is 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.

Cambridge, in black, on attack from the You Tube coverage.

19 September 6am

Cambridge men’s Northern League Football target is 90-minutes and a trip to Waiheke Island away.

Cambridge keeper Wade Vincent is at full stretch as Waiheke’s Ramon Linder gets between centrebacks Jack Portegys and Thomas Walters. This shot went wide. Photo: Roy Pilott

A 1-nil win over the islanders has Cambridge ahead in this home and away promotion play off – but Jordan Shaw’s squad travels to Waiheke United knowing their opponent will be confident.

Cambridge will send minivans north for Saturday’s second leg – knowing a traditionally hostile South American welcome awaits.

It’s a huge weekend for the club. On Sunday its women’s team – also vying for promotion to the Northern League – start their own home and away play off against Onehunga in Auckland.

Saturday’s match, in awful weather at John Kerkhof Park, threatened to boil over at any time late on – it actually did on the sideline.

The game ebbed and flowed to such a degree that as much as the hosts could have won 3-0 – they grazed the crossbar twice and missed a couple of golden opportunities – this match almost ended in a draw.

Jack Connor’s fifth minute strike sealed the win in a predictably feisty game which saw referee Andy Holdsworth show seven yellow cards – and one to Shaw.

That came late on as the two benches began heckling and eventually it became a spot the ball contest as Waiheke became frustrated when spare balls on the sideline disappeared at throw ins.

Both side had late chances, and even if home fans would have wanted more than a one goal margin, they were relieved to hear Holdsworth’s final whistle.