Ngaruawahia United
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ngaruawahia United is a soccer club in New Zealand.
The club was formed in 1968 as Ngaruawahia United, made up primarily of the teenagers attending Ngaruawahia High School. Following the amalgamation of Ngaruawahia United and Affco Rangers in 1977 the club became known as Ngaruawahia-Affco United. Several years later the name Affco was dropped from the title.
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[edit] Ngaruawahia United honours board
- 1973 Northern League Division Four
- 1974 Northern League Division Three
- 1976 Cambridge Tournament runners-up
- 1980 Northern League Division Four South
- 1982 Northern League Division Three
- 1998 Chatham Cup semi-finalists
- 2003 Northern League Division Three
- 2006 Northern League Division Two runners-up
- 2006 Cambridge Tournament runners-up
[edit] 1998 Chatham Cup run
In 1998 Ngaruawahia United went on a romantic Chatham Cup run that took the small club from the North Waikato all the way to the semi-finals. Ngaruawahia United occupied the sports headlines in New Zealand until they finally met their nemesis in the form of Dunedin Technical. Playing away from home, Ngaruawahia United had several chances to cause an upset but it was the south islanders who would prevail 2-0. Dunedin Technical would go on to lift the 1998 Chatham Cup defeating Waitakere City in the final.
[edit] 2006 season
In 2006 former National League players Richard Harris and Gordon Glen Watson took over the coaching reins at the club and led the team to promotion from Northern League Division Two into Division One. The team went 20 league matches without defeat and finished runners-up to Papatoetoe AFC despite losing just one match all season and defeating Papatoetoe 3-1 at home and drawing 1-1 away in the final league game of the season.
Ngaruawahia United defeated Northern League First Division champions Onehunga Sports 2-1 in the Chatham Cup and enjoyed similar success against Northern League Second Division champions Papatoetoe. Ngaruawahia United finished runners-up to Onehunga-Mangere after suffering a 3-0 defeat at the Cambridge Pre-season Tournament. Earlier, Ngaruawahia United had beaten Waikato-rivals, Melville United, on penalties in an exciting encounter that finished 3-3 after Ngaruawahia had taken a 3-0 lead.
[edit] International friendly
Ngaruawahia United played its first friendly international against the National League champions of the Solomon Islands. Marist FC - who were eliminated from the 2006 OFC Club Championship at the hands of Auckland City and AS Pirae - travelled to Ngaruawahia to play the friendly emphasising the Kiwi clubs strong South Pacific connections.
After a goalless first half, Marist FC scored two late second-half goals to take the game 2-0 despite a gritty performance from Ngaruawahia United. At the end of the match Ngaruawahia United President Maxine Williams presented Marist FC coach Patrick Miniti with a hamper of football gear to take back to the Melanesian country.
Shortly after this match, Ngaruawahia United signed Solomon Islands international player Stanley Waita. Waita won 30 caps for his country and appeared in the OFC Nations Cup Final and FIFA World Cup playoff against Australia. Waita was a significant factor in Ngaruawahia United's promotion charge scoring a raft of goals. His form was enough to earn him a contract with NZFC side Waikato FC.
[edit] The 2007 playing squad
- Seamus Marten - The former Melville United number two joined Ngaruawahia United to provide cover for O'Rourke and were it not for work commitments would've made many more first team appearances.
- Jonathon Keenan - Signed from Hamilton Wanderers midway through 2006. Keenan made an immediate impact with Ngaruawahia United. Suffered a dip in form but returned to his very best for the promotion run-in.
- Nils Reardon - Became vice-captain and turned in some excellent performances throughout 2006. Suffered injury problems and various times but was one of the best performed players and earned a call-up to Waikato FC.
- Scott Granville - Former Monmouth University player and hero from the 1998 Chatham Cup run, Scott Granville returned to Ngaruawahia United and became a much needed voice of maturity in what was otherwise a very young team.
- Daniel Toulson - New Zealand Schoolboy international whose first team appearances were restricted because of Hamilton BHS 1st XI commitments. Performed soundly when called upon and gained invaluable experience on the NZ Secondary Schools tour of Europe.
- Gordon Glen Watson - Player/coach who scored six goals from defence and led by example. Dangerous in the air and a good reader of the game and will return in 2007 as coach following his retirement from playing.
- Mark Phillips - 'Mr Reliable' was a pillar of strength as Ngaruawahia United went on to become the tightest defence in Northern League Division Two for the second year running. Brave in the tackle and a committed club man.
- Troy Lochhead - A difficult season for Lochead with a raft of players fighting for starting slots. Lochead turned in some brave and courageous performances and remained committed to the Ngaruawahia United cause throughout 2006.
- Hayden Johns - Another player whose involvement was restricted by school commitments. Johns was unlucky to miss out on the NZ Secondary Schools tour to Europe but made up for it winning an exchange to a US College at the end of the season. Has exceptional pace and deceptively strong in the challenge.
- Sean Sullivan - One of the youngest captains in Northern League but a strong and committed performer who coped well with the added responsibility of leadership. Has had some involvement with Waikato FC.
- Simon Moore - Able to play wide on the right or through the middle as a striker Moore has the capacity to turn a game on its head when in form. Has exceptional pace if not stamina but is a handful for any defender.
- Tim Richardson - One of the most technically gifted players in the Ngaruawahia United set-up. Richardson started the season in the middle of the park but proved his worth with some good performances on the left. Naturally aggressive and possesses good vision.
- Mark Norris - Played the anchor role in midfield with great skill and ability and scored some vital goals from deep including a brilliant strike against Fencibles United and a 16 yard header against Manurewa. Has the potential to become an excellent player.
- Gavin Pooley - The enigmatic Pooley scored several important goals on the promotion trail but missed the promotion run-in with an ankle ligament injury against Fencibles United.
- Richard Harris - Made himself available for selection in the second half of the season and was a big reason Ngaruawahia United's form become more convincing. Capable of locking down a midfield or defence with his experience as a former National League player with Waitakere City.
- Lance Louvie - South African-born Louvie was the pick of Ngaruawahia United's players in 2006 and achieved a rare level of form that he sustained for most of the season.
- Chris Gilchrist - signed for Ngaruawahia United just after the transfer deadline but didn't play a match. A star of the Hamilton BHS set-up and much is expected of him in 2007.
- Stanley Waita - The Solomon Islands international scored a glut of important goals as Ngaruawahia United charged toward promotion. The 30-caps international currently plays for Waikato FC in the NZFC.
- Jared Williams - Made only sporadic appearances throughout the season but is a valued club member who provided guidance and support for the reserve team during a difficult period of the season.
- Andrew Catley - A former 1st team stalwart whose appearances were limited by the form of other players and a fragmented pre-season programme.
- Manager: Paul Hellyer - Hellyer is a former 1st team player and took up the managerial reins in 2006. Won international recognition with a call-up to the Solomon Islands U-20 backroom staff as team liaison manager.
- Masseuse: Tirohanga Morgan - a graduate of Wintec Morgan provided medical assistance throughout 2006.
- Assistant Manager: Ricky Duffell - another former 1st team manager who provided valuable input throughout the season.
- Club President: Maxine Williams - the driving force behind much of the 1st team and club success.
[edit] External links
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