Puaikura, Tupapa in knockout cup final

In the Premier Men’s match on Saturday the young Puaikura team defeated Nikao Sokattak by two goals to one and will now progress to the knockout cup finals this weekend.

Right from the first whistle Puaikura seemed more organised than their opponent and were quicker to the loose ball.

Puaikura’s first goal was scored through scoring machine striker Paavo Mustonen after Nikao Sokattak defenders failed to clear the ball from a corner kick in the six yard area in the 16th minute of play.

Nikao Sokattak had the odd opportunity to equalise but was unable to do so. In the 34th minute Puaikura scored their second goal with a powerful strike by Pekay Edwards, with the Sokattak goalkeeper having no chance to prevent the goal from being scored.

Both teams attacked and created scoring opportunities in the second half, however in the 89th minute the referee awarded Nikao Sokattak a penalty, which Jonathan Rowe stepped up to convert to bring the score to two goals to one in favour of Puaikura.

A few minutes after Nikao Sokattak scored the referee blew the final whistle and the match ended with a 2-1 score line in favour of Puaikura.

On Friday Tupapa Maraerenga premier men’s team disposed of Matavera by scoring five unanswered goals. Goal scorers for Tupapa were Grover Harmon, with Campbell Best and Geoffrey Strickland scoring two goals each.

Puaikura will now meet Tupapa Maraerenga on Saturday December 14for the knockout cup finals at the CIFA Complex.

In the women’s division – Nikao Sokattak senior women’s team defeated Puaikura by two goals to one in an exciting and entertaining match. Goal scorers for Sokattak were Tepaeru Toka and Amantta Mangi, while Linade Unuka scored Puaikura’s sole goal.

In the other semi-final Tupapa Maraerenga defeated Titikaveka with a sole goal from the penalty spot by Elizabeth Harmon.

Puaikura under 17 men progress through to the finals after defeating Titikaveka by four goals to nil and will now meet Nikao Sokattak who thrashed Tupapa Maraerenga by eleven goals to nil in the semi-finals played last Wednesday.

In the Under 14 Boys division although Nikao Sokattak scored two early goals in their match against Puaikura, Puaikura managed to level the score at two all by fulltime to force the game into a penalty shootout which Puaikura won converting three of their kicks to Nikao’s two.

In the other semi-final Avatiu easily disposed of Matavera by eight goals to nil.

In the Under 14 Girls division, Tupapa Maraerenga won over Titikaveka with a scoreline of five goals to nil. Matavera under 14 girls also had a convincing win over Takuvaine by scoring three goals to nil.

In the ever popular Under 11 mixed division Tupapa Maraerenga will take on NIkao Sokattak in the finals after eliminating their opponents Matavera and Titikaveka respectively in their semi-final games last Wednesday.

Premier Men – Puaikura 2 vs Nikao Sokattak 1, Tupapa 5 vs Matavera 0, Senior Women – Nikao Sokattak 2 vs Puaikura 1, Tupapa M 1 vs Titikaveka 0, Under 17 Men – Puaikura 4 vs Titikaveka 0, Nikao Sokattak 11 vs Tupapa 0, Under 14 Boys – Avatiu 8 vs Matavera 0 Puaikura 3 (2) vs Nikao Sokattak 2 (2) penalty shootout, Under 14 Girls, Tupapa 5 vs Titikaveka 0, Matavera 3 vs Takuvaine 0, Under 11 Mix – Tupapa 2 vs Matavera 0, Nikao 2 vs Titikaveka 1.