Cambridge’s first season in the Northern League football championship finished in bitter sweet fashion on Saturday.
Cambridge goal scorer Josh Clarkin. Photo: Steph Bell-Jenkins.
The men were set a challenging target of beating Wanderers in Hamilton while hoping results elsewhere went their way to secure second place – and promotion to the premiership.
Part one was achieved – a 2-1 away win secured in added time with yet another Josh Clarkin goal.
But Northern Rovers beat league champions Manukau United 3-1 to finish third – and Melville’s 2-1 win over Hibiscus Coast at Gower Park ensure they were promoted straight back in the premiership in second place.
It was another match of late drama as all the goals came in injury time- first to Hibs, then two to Melville in the 98th and 101st minute.
Melville will be the sole Waikato representative in the premiership next season, and Ngāruawāhia, beaten 4-0 at Onehunga Mangere will drop down.
It’s been a remarkable season for the Waipā club, which won promotion from the Southern Conference 12 months ago to rub shoulders with three other Waikato clubs.
At the same time the club’s women’s team also won a playoff to reach the Northern League and this season established themselves to finish fifth in the eight team competition won by Melville with a game in hand.
Three extra points were secured by Cambridge on Sunday with a 3-1 win over Central United.
Meanwhile Cambridge finished second in the Northern League under-23 men’s championship.
Cambridge Football Club’s top women’s team celebrated last year their promotion to the northern league with some of the junior players they mentored, their coach Scott Bult, strength and conditioning coach Caleb Wesselson and physio Hamish Lockwood. – Photo Selina Oliver.
