Central League Video Highlights

• Miramar Rangers v Wairarapa - Sunday 21st August 2011

• Miramar Rangers v Napier - Saturday 9th July 2011

• Miramar Rangers v Olympic - Sunday 3rd July 2011

Miramar Rangers vs. Western Suburbs Central League 2011 Round 1 (2-4-11)

The 2011 Lotto Central League began with Chatham Cup holders Advice First Miramar Rangers home at David Farrington Park to take on Western Suburbs. Both sides came into the match off disrupted pre-seasons with players returning from NZFC commitments. Western Suburbs held the overall advantage over Miramar winning five out of twelve encounters since the reintroduction of the Central League in 2005. However Miramar did emerge winners in both fixtures last season, 2-1 away at Endeavour followed by a 6-0 hiding at home.

Western Suburbs is captained by Trent Watson and is coached by Shane Rufer. Wests contain NZFC players Josh Chettleberg and Matt Smith while age group representatives Kieran Purcell and Ryan Cain lead the attack.

The game started in sunny conditions on an excellent David Farrington Park surface. Miramar dominated the early exchanges with Dominic Rowe and John Sutherland both coming close with chances hitting the bar and being kept out by Andrew Bailey in goal, Ryan Cain was Wests main threat upfront.Miramar went ahead 1-0 in the 35th minute when Michael White delivered a ball wide down the left flank to Campbell Parkin who raced towards the corner, looked up and delivered a pinpoint cross to Rowe on the edge of the penalty spot who proceeded to rocket a volley into the back of the net to put Miramar ahead.

It was 2-0 five minutes later when Rowe disposed a Wests defender Tyson Laws and surged towards the corner. He squared the ball back across the goal to Sutherland whose low finish flew past Andrew Bailey in goal it in to make it 2-0. So at half time Miramar lead 2-0.

As the second half went on Wests began to come back into the match, with Cain and Purcell starting to gain possession and look threatening upfront. Miramar concluded their scoring and secured the points by adding a 3rd in the 75th minute when Wiremu Patrick gained the ball from Chettleberg on half way, his ball through the middle found Rowe open 40 metres out from goal. Rowe then raced past two defenders, came to the keeper and shot low and to his left into the back of the net to make it 3-0. Next week sees Miramar away in Hastings to face the newly promoted Maycenvale. While Wests host Petone.

Round 7 of the Lotto Central League found Chatham Cup holders Advice First Miramar Rangers home at David Farrington Park to take on Petone. Both sides came into the match off contrasting results in their last fixtures.  Miramar was held to a scoreless draw away to Napier City Rovers at Park Island.  While Petone beat Tawa 2-0 at home courtesy of goals to Ben Dawson and Jono Blair.

Miramar held the recent advantage over Petone winning four out of six encounters since Petone’s promotion to the Central League in 2008. However last season’s Central League fixture at David Farrington Park saw Petone come from 2-0 to score 3 times in the last 20 minutes to win 3-2 ending Miramar’s chances of winning the league.  Petone would look to veteran marksman Paul Whitmarsh to threat upfront. Team Wellington players Michael Pickering and Richie McLay would look to threaten down the flanks.  Petone is captained by David Lane and is coached by Mark Foster.

The game started in cloudy conditions on a solid surface.  Miramar started very well dominating possession and passing the ball well but it was Petone who took the lead against the run of play through Paul Whitmarsh, and a few minutes later Nick Edginton doubled their lead from a corner, so at half time Petone lead 2-0. Miramar had now gone 180 minutes without scoring.

The second half began with Miramar threatening to break open the Petone defence and it didn’t take long for Dominic Rowe to do so. After some nice build up work through the midfield Rowe had the ball on the edge of the box and after some nifty footwork drove the ball into the lower left corner leaving the keeper with no chance. Miramar were level a few minutes later when a neat interchange of passes between Michael Fifi and John Sutherland  saw Fifi played through into the box who then turned and strolled past a Petone defender and then walked the ball around the Petone keeper into an empty net to make it 2-2.

Miramar was now dominating across the park and went ahead thanks to a Petone own goal. Petone struggled to clear with Fifi applying pressure and one of their defenders kicked the ball into the back of his own player and the ball cannoned into the net to make 3-2. Tim Schaeffers made it 4-2 a short while later when Wiremu Patrick delivered a corner to the near post into the path of Scaheffers who headed it straight into the back of the net to make it 4-2.

However Petone continued to press and look dangerous from set-piece and scored again through Tihou Messenger-Wepeu who found himself on the end of a free-kick.  Miramar concluded their scoring in the final five minutes when Sutherland was put through one on one with the keeper Sam Jewell and slotted it home to secure a 5-3 victory for Miramar

Miramar remains unbeaten from 7 games and with 15 points leads the Central League on goal difference from Wairarapa who were beaten 4-2 away at Tawa. Miramar has the week off as they have a bye in the first round of the Chatham Cup while Petone host Kapiti Coast United.

Miramar Rangers vs. Wairarapa United Central League Round 8 (22-5-11)

Round 8 of the Lotto Central League found Chatham Cup holders Advice First Miramar Rangers away at QE II Park to take on Wairarapa United. Both teams came into the match at the top of the league with Miramar ahead on goal difference. Both sides came into the match off contrasting results in their last league fixtures.  Miramar came from 2-0 at half-time to beat Petone 5-3 with second half goals from Dom Rowe, Michael Fifi, Tim Schaeffers, John Sutherland as well as an own goal at David Farrington Park.  While Wairarapa were defeated 4-2 by Tawa despite a Campbell Banks double having them 2-1 ahead at one stage. 

Miramar held the recent advantage over Wairarapa winning three out of four encounters since Wairarapa’s promotion to the Central League in 2009. The corresponding fixture last season was won 3-1 by Miramar with Michael White’s double and a Wiremu Patrick strike giving them a 3-0 lead before Andrew Abba’s late reply for Wairarapa. Wairarapa is captained by Pita Rabo and coached by Phil Kienzley. They would look to NZFC players Adam Cowan and Scott Robson to impress in midfield, with Seule Soromon, Campbell Banks, Adam Milne and Dale Higham to threaten on attack.

The game started in sunny conditions on a terrible QE II Park surface.  Miramar made a great start by scoring in the 5^th minute through Michael White. Miramar had a ball played across the Wairarapa goal which found White just outside the box; he then rounded two Wairarapa defenders and launched a right foot rocket which flew past Matt Borren into the back of the net to make it 1-0.

Miramar doubled their lead a minute later. Michael Fifi found Dom Rowe free on the right who surged past defender Carl Shailer towards goal, he squared the ball back to an unmarked Darren Cheriton making his first appearance for the year who made no mistake from the near the penalty spot with a clinical finish to make it 2-0.

As the half went on Wairarapa began to come back into the match, with Suele Soroman and Adam Cowan starting to gain possession and look threatening in the middle. In injury time in the first half Wairarapa got a goal back when back when Nobuyishi Ishi, played Campbell Banks through on the right and he squared it back to Soromon who rifled the ball home giving keeper James McPeake no chance. So at half time Miramar lead 2-1.

Miramar controlled the opening exchanges of the second half producing attacking raids down the flanks through Fifi and White who were keeping the Wairarapa back four busy. Both White and Justin Gulley had close chances go wide. However Wairarapa continued to hold and then took over producing numerous attacks through Soroman, Dale Higham and Adam Milne who had replaced an injured Pita Rabo. The last twenty minutes saw Miramar hold tight as Wairarapa poured men forward, they had multiple chances either superbly saved by McPeake or just go wide.

In the end Miramar’s defence effort proved the difference when referee John Rowbury called time with the game ending 2-1 to Miramar and sees them go 3 points clear of Wairarapa on top of the league with 18 points from 8 games. Next week sees Miramar back at David Farrington Park to face Tawa. While Wairarapa travel to Hastings Sports Park to face Maycenvale.

Miramar Rangers vs. Tawa Central League Round 9 (28-5-11)

Round 9 of the Lotto Central League found Chatham Cup holders Advice First Miramar Rangers home at David Farrington Park to take on Tawa. Both sides came into the match off contrasting results in their last league fixtures.  Miramar won their top of the table clash 2-1 over Wairarapa on Sunday with goals to Darren Cheriton and Michael White while Suele Soroman scored for Wairarapa. While Tawa were defeated 1-0 at home by Western Suburbs through a Ryan Cain strike which saw them lose the O’Brian Shield.

 Miramar held the recent advantage over Tawa winning both encounters last season which was Tawa’s first in the Central League. In the corresponding fixture at David Farrington last season Miramar emerged victorious late that day with a 2-1 victory courtesy of goals to Wiremu Patrick and Michael Eagar while Louis Fenton scored for Tawa. Tawa is captained by Steve Romijn and is coached by Richard Martin.

The game started in sunny conditions on a solid David Farrington Park surface. Tawa made a great start by scoring in the opening minute through Aaron McGill. As the half went on Miramar began to come back into the match, with Darren Cheriton starting to gain possession and look threatening in the middle.

Miramar pressure was rewarded when Michael Fifi equalised in the 25^th minute. John Sutherland delivered a pinpoint long ball which found Fifi in space just on outside the Tawa box. Fifi surged towards goal, losing his defender and then won the race to the ball in front of keeper Karl Romijn, he rounded him and slotted into an empty net to make it 1-1. 

Miramar went ahead a few minutes later when Sutherland was given space down the right flank and delivered a cross that found Dom Rowe inside the box.  Rowe took the ball down on his chest, turned his marker and side-footed past keeper Romijn at the far post to make it 2-1.  Against the run of play Tawa equalised just before half-time. A good set of lead up work saw them earn a corner. It was superbly delivered in from the right which was met clinically by an oncoming Jason Bellmen at the far post whose powerful header flew past keeper James McPeake into the back of the net to level it up 2-2 at half-time.

Miramar continued to make most of the play in the second half with Michael White and Justin Gulley both putting chances wide.  Tawa almost snatched an unlikely victory in the last few minutes when a poor clearance from the Miramar defence was pounced on by an unmarked Tawa player 35 metes out from goal.  He looked up and fired a looping shot towards goal; it flew over the outstretched hand of a backtracking McPeake and hit the crossbar and rebounded to Mike Raemakers whose shot was well saved by McPeake.

Time was called a few minutes later by the referee who had just sent Michael White off for his second yellow reducing Miramar to 10, but it didn’t change the result which was a 2-2 draw. Miramar still heads the league by 2 points from Olympic who beat an 8-man Western Suburbs 5-1.

Miramar Rangers vs. Western Suburbs Central League 2011 Round 10 (4-6-11)

Round 10 of the 2011 Lotto Central League saw Chatham Cup holders and competition leaders Advice First Miramar Rangers away at Endeavour Park to take on Western Suburbs.  Both sides came into the match off disappointing results in the previous round, Miramar with goals from Michael Fifi and Dominic Rowe could only draw 2-2 with Tawa, while Western Suburbs lost 5-1 at home to Olympic that saw them reduced to 8 men.

Since the reintroduction of the Central League in 2005 both sides had won five encounters each along with three draws. Miramar won the corresponding fixture last season at Endeavour Park 2-1 courtesy of goals from Michael White and Garry McDermott.  This was the return fixture from Round 1 of the Central League which saw Miramar win 3-0 at David Farrington Park courtesy of a Dom Rowe double and John Sutherland strike. Western Suburbs is captained by Fraser Colson and is coached by Shane Rufer and contain New Zealand Under 20 players Corey Chettleberg and Ryan Cain.

The game started in sunny conditions with Miramar looking the most threatening in the opening exchanges; however it was Wests who took the lead through a strike from former Miramar player Ben Fredrickson in the 6^th minute. Miramar equalised in the 21^st minute when Dave Johnson found space down the left delivered a ball to Dominic Rowe just inside the box, Rowe then executed a pinpoint pass to Allen Chote who cut inside his defender and while holding off another produced a clinical finish to make it 1-1. Miramar went close to adding more but at half time it remained 1-1.

The second half began with Wests gaining more possession and coming back into the game. However it was still Miramar who produced the better chances with Darren Cheriton’s chip hitting the crossbar after some nice work from Paul Dickson. Miramar had another chance a few minutes later, but Rowe’s shot just went wide. Wests had some chances throughout the second half to Ryan Cain and Michael Fraser but largely untroubled the Miramar defence.

Miramar almost snatched victory in the last few minutes when a poor clearance from the Wests defence was pounced on by Rowe 35 metes out from goal.  He surged towards goal beating his defender then looked up and fired a low shot towards goal; it flew past the outstretched hand of the keeper only to be denied by the upright. 

Time was called a few minutes later with the game ending 1-1. Miramar still heads the league by 2 points from Olympic who drew 1-1 with Napier away. Next week league action sees Miramar at home to face Maycenvale while Wests face Napier away

Miramar Rangers vs. Maycenvale Central League 2011 Round 11 (11-6-11)

Round 11 of the 2011 Lotto Central League found Chatham Cup holders and league leaders Advice First Miramar Rangers back at home to face 9^th placed Maycenvale United at David Farrington Park.  Both sides came into the match off contrasting results from the previous weekend. Miramar thanks to an Allen Chote goal drew 1-1 away to Wests whereas Maycenvale defeated Tawa 3-1 at home. This was the return fixture from Round 2 of the Central League which saw Miramar win 2-1 at Hastings Sport Park courtesy of Dom Rowe and John Sutherland strikes, with Joachim Rande collecting Maycenvale’s goal.

This was the first time the sides had met at David Farrington Park since Round 3 of the 2009 Chatham Cup where Miramar annihilated Maycenvlae 10-2 with Dom Rowe collecting four goals himself. Maycenvale had come into that match on the back of 10 consecutive wins and had only conceded 5 goals all season. Maycenvale is captained by player coach Chris Greatholder. They contain NZFC players Leon Bernie, Joachim Rande and James Oxtoby, as well as New Zealand Fustal representative Lucas Da Silva.

The game started in cloudy conditions with Miramar pressure being rewarded when Michael White opened the scoring in the 15^th minute. Dave Johnston gained possession on half-way and found John Sutherland free on the right; Sutherland raced towards the corner, beat another defender, looked up and delivered a pinpoint cross to White on the edge of the penalty spot who proceeded to rocket a volley into the back of the net past Kyle Baxter in goal to make it 1-0. Maycenvale started to come back into the game gaining more possession. However it was still Miramar who produced the better chances with Tim Schaeffers header from Darren Cheriton’s corner hitting the crossbar.

Just before halftime Maycenvale equalised through Lucas Da Silva whose run into the box and looping shot flew over the outstretched hand of James McPeake and fell under the bar into the net to make it 1-1.

Miramar regained the lead on 65 minutes when a ball was played over the Maycenvale, confusion saw keeper Baxter running out to clear it but it was instead only partially cleared by defender Arnold Keni. It fell to Darren Cheriton 40 metres out from goal; he made no mistake with a clinical right foot finish into an open Maycenvale goal to put Miramar 2-1 ahead. Miramar then had a chance to further their lead after Michael Woodside rounded two defenders and was cut down in the box and a penalty was awarded. However Sutherland hit his penalty well wide off the mark so it remained 2-1.

Miramar again come close in the last fifteen but couldn’t further their lead with White being denied by the upright.  Time was called a few minutes later with the game ending 2-1. Miramar increased their lead at the top of the competition to 5 points from the chasing Olympic who lost 4-3 away to Petone. Next week league action sees Miramar away at Bell Park to face Lower Hutt while Maycenvale travel to Endeavour Park to face Western Suburbs.

Miramar Rangers vs. Lower Hutt City: Central League Round 12 (18-6-11)

Round 12 of the Lotto Central League found Chatham Cup holders and top of the table Advice First Miramar Rangers away at Bell Park to take on Lower Hutt.  In the previous round Miramar prevailed 2-1 over Maycenavle courtesy of goals from Michael White and Darren Cheriton. Lower Hutt came from behind to draw 3-3 against Tawa.         

Miramar held the recent advantage over Lower Hutt winning eight out of thirteen encounters since the reintroduction of the Central League in 2005.  Miramar won the corresponding fixture at Bell Park last season 4-0 thanks to goals from Garry McDermott, Wiremu Patrick, Sam Jenkins and Michael Eagar. This was the return fixture from Round 3 of the Central League which saw a 1-1 draw with Michael White for Miramar and Hamish Watson for Lower Hutt collecting the goals. 

Lower Hutt is coached by Brendon McIntyre. Lower Hutt would look to Team Wellington player Andrew Abba to provide a threat upfront while Hamish Watson is their top scorer with 7 goals.

The game started in pouring rain on a disgraceful Bell Park surface with Miramar looking the most threatening in the opening exchanges and this pressure was rewarded when John Sutherland opened the scoring in the 4^th minute when Allen Chote found space down the right and delivered a ball to Paul Dickson just outside the box, Dickson then executed a pinpoint cross to Sutherland who cut inside his defender and while holding off another produced a clinical finish to make it 1-0. Lower Hutt then struck back on 30 minutes when Andrew Abba turned his marker and delivered a pinpoint pass which found Hamish Watson inside the box; Watson turned his powerful shot past James McPeake into the back of the net to make it 1-1.

Miramar regained the lead shortly after when a good ball delivered by Paul Dickson found Allen Chote. He showed good trickery to beat his man at the top of the right hand corner and delivered a great floating ball which was met by Sutherland inside the box whose powerful header flew past the keeper Fraser Stewart into the back of the net to put Miramar 2-1 up at half-time.

Lower Hutt equalised in the 60^th minute, when Tom Bliss played a ball to the right hand corner to Ethan Galbraith who cut inside his defender and delivered a clinical finish making it 2-2.  Miramar regained the lead shortly after a good set of lead up work saw a ball superbly delivered in from the right by Gary McDermott which was met clinically by an oncoming Dom Rowe at the near post whose powerful header flew past Stewart into the back of the net to put Miramar 3-2.

Miramar then suffered a blow when James McPeake was seriously injured in a crude Hamish Watson challenge. This forced reserve keeper Mark Oates to come on for the last 15 minutes. Lower Hutt equalised in the 80^th minute when Tom Bliss who was in an offside position scored at the far post after a cross was delivered from the left to make it 3-3.

Miramar was pressing but couldn’t find a winner with Michael White and Tim Schaeffers having close chances denied by Stewart in goal and some resolute Hutt defending. Referee Jim Murphy called time a short while after with the game ending 3-3. Miramar continue to head the Central League by 5 points from Wests, Next week’s Central League action sees Miramar at home to Palmerston North Marist while Lower Hutt travel to Maycenvale.

Miramar Rangers vs. Palmerston North Marist Central League Round 13 (25-6-11)

Round 13 of the 2011 Lotto Central League found leaders and Chatham Cup holders Advice First Miramar home at David Farrington Park to face Palmerston North Marist.  Both sides came into the match off contrasting results from the previous weekend. In terrible conditions across the Wellington region Miramar drew 3-3 with Lower Hutt away thanks to a John Sutherland double and Dom Rowe strike. While Marist advanced to the last 16 of the Chatham Cup after defeating Petone 2-0 away thanks to a Tomas Mosquera double.

Miramar held the recent advantage over Marist winning nine out of thirteen encounters since the reintroduction of the Central League in 2005. However, Marist had defeated a 10-man Miramar 2-1 at David Farrington Park in Round 3 of last season which was a major blow to Miramar’s title aspirations. This was the return fixture from Round 4 of the Central League which saw Miramar win 2-0 at Memorial Park courtesy of Wiremu Patrick and Paul Dickson strikes. Marist is captained by Isaac Duker and is coached by Steve Green. They contain NZFC players Matt Kennedy and Mickey Crisford.

The game started in sunny conditions with Miramar looking the most threatening in the opening exchanges; Miramar pressure was rewarded when a goal bound free kick from Darren Cheriton was deflected off a Marist defender, which left keeper Nick Haywood with no chance as he was wrong footed as the ball flew into the bottom right corner of the net to put Miramar 1-0 ahead.  Miramar doubled their lead shortly after some nice build up work down the left flank from Michael White saw him chip a ball into the feet of Wiremu Patrick who turned and fired the ball past the Haywood to make it 2-0.  Miramar added a third when John Sutherland’s header was tipped onto the bar by Haywood and Patrick was on hand to volley the ball home.

Miramar continued their dominance and scored a beautiful goal midway through the second half when some great combination and build up play from Miramar culminated in a silky turn and backheel from Dominic Rowe into the path of Garry McDermott who placed the ball in the bottom left corner of the net to make it 4-0. Miramar concluded their scoring after some great work from Michael Fifi down the right who beat his man and chipped a ball to the far post where Justin Gully was there to volley in past a diving Haywood to give Miramar a 5-0 lead.

Time was called a short while after with the game ending 5-0. Miramar continues to head the Central League by 5 points from Wests. Next week’s Central League action sees Miramar away to Olympic while Marist travel to Park Island to meet Napier in the last 16 of the Chatham Cup. 

Miramar Rangers vs. Olympic Central League Round 14 (3-7-11)

Round 14 of the 2011 Lotto Central League found leaders and Chatham Cup holders Advice First Miramar Rangers away at Newtown Park to take on Central League Champions Wellington Olympic, in a match that saw the O’Brien Shield on the line.  Both sides came into the fixture off contrasting results from the previous round.  Miramar defeated Palmerston North Marist 5-0 at home thanks to goals from Garry McDermott, Justin Gulley, an own goal and a Wiremu Patrick double while Olympic were involved in a controversial 4-1 loss to Tawa at Redwood which also saw them have George Barborouses and Barry Lewis sent off.

Miramar held the recent advantage over Olympic winning seven out of thirteen encounters since the reintroduction of the Central League in 2005. Last season’s Central League fixture at Newtown Park saw Miramar annihilate Olympic 6-3 at Newtown Park courtesy of goals to Dominic Rowe, Dave Johnston, Michael White, Gary McDermott, Wiremu Patrick and Michael Eagar to capture the O’Brien Shield. This was the return fixture from Round 5 of the Central League which saw a 1-1 draw with Dom Rowe for Miramar and Jamie O’Connor for Olympic collecting the goals. Olympic is captained by Mikey Halikias and is coached by former Miramar National League winner Simon George. They would look to Mickey Malivuk and Hicham Kamri to lead the attack.

The game started in cloudy conditions with Miramar dominating the early exchanges with Dominic Rowe and Wiremu Patrick both coming close with chances. Miramar took the lead in the 17^th minute after a good set of lead up work saw Darren Cheriton superbly deliver a ball in from the right which was met clinically by an oncoming Dom Rowe whose powerful header flew past Sacha Nathu into the back of the net to put Miramar up 1-0. Miramar doubled their lead from Patrick’s corner in the 30^th minute which was only partially cleared by Nathu, it found Allen Chote who cut inside his defender and produced a magnificent right-footed shot from just inside the box into the top right corner to give Miramar a 2-0 lead, which they took into halftime.

In the 60^th minute Miramar collected their third when Patrick gained possession on halfway and delivered a long ball out to the right which found Rowe in space.  Rowe raced towards goal, cut inside his defender and rocketed his shot into the top of the net past a despairing Nathu to make it 3-0. Olympic’s best chance fell to Malivuk but he could only put his shot wide of Michael O’Keeffe in goal. Olympic were then reduced 10 men after Ollie Rowland was sent off for a dangerous challenge on substitute Michael Fifi.

Miramar concluded the scoring in the 80^th when Patrick dispossessed an Olympic defender, he found Paul Dickson who made a great run on the right and produced a cross which found substitute John Sutherland on the edge on the penalty spot whose looping header flew over the outstretched hand of Nathu and fell under the bar into the net to put Miramar 4-0 ahead.

Miramar was pressing but couldn’t find another with Patrick having a goal bound volley magnificently denied by Nathu in goal. Referee Jamie Cross called time a short time after with the game ending 4-0 and with it secured Miramar the O’Brien Shield. Miramar continues to head the Central League by 5 points from Wests with 4 games remaining. Next week’s Central League action sees Miramar at home to Napier City Rovers while Olympic travel to Maycenvale.