Ōtorohanga’s Dallas Maguire races a West Hamilton opponent to the ball during their clash at the Ōtorohanga Domain last weekend. Photos Chris Knight
Bulk Lines Ōtorohanga Football Club skipper Jamie Walker stood up when it counted last Saturday.
It was 5-all and Walker headed home a corner with 20 minutes remaining to secure a hard-fought 6-5 victory at the Ōtorohanga Domain.
It was a victory they had to work incredibly hard for against a West Hamilton side, who sat last in the league and arrived at the game with the hope of upsetting the table toppers, something they nearly did.
The performance wasn’t vintage and that could be put down to the first team not playing the weekend prior after they travelled to Tauranga only to find out the grounds had been closed and their clash was postponed.
It was a high-scoring encounter which saw both teams net their most goals in game this season.
The visitors were first to open the scoring as Duale Mire put the ball in the back of the net after 12 minutes.
Thirteen minutes later, Bailey Croad opened the home side’s account with a neatly taken goal, while a minute later Mason Apperley had Ōtorohanga in front.
Five minutes later Apperley bagged his second of the match, before Croad also found the net to score his second of the contest.
At 4-1 ahead, things were looking pretty for Ōtorohanga; before West Hamilton’s Noor Mire scored to reduce the deficit to 4-2, and that is how it stayed until halftime.
The visiting outfit made a scorching start to the second half with three quick goals to find themselves ahead 5-4.
Apperley netted his third to pick up an impressive hat-trick to make it 5-all before Walker put the home team in front.
The final 20 minutes were exciting but neither team were able to add more goals.
The skipper was superb again, while hat-trick hero Apperley and Croad also shone. Goalkeeper Jake Marcroft also made some crucial saves, while Tom Barton was impressive.
To date, they have a seven-win two loss record to sit top of the WaiBop League One standings with 23 points, four points clear of Tauranga City.
Saturday’s encounter sees them travel to Matamata Domain, where they face sixth-placed Matamata Swifts.
The Bailey Ingham Ōtorohanga third team had their contest against second-last Waihi FC rained off. The weekend prior they scored a 4-3 win and jumped to second place in the standings.
Ōtorohanga’s Uncoachables had the bye in their division 4 league.
This weekend, there are no games scheduled for the reserve teams.
