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Finding the back of the net was a challenge for striker Rob Carty this year.
The Warkworth Men’s First football team has pulled off a last gasp escape from being relegated, but fell well short of its pre-season goal.
The team wrapped up a difficult season on September 9 with a 4-2 win over Ranui Swanson to finish eighth on the ladder of 10 teams in the NFF Men’s Conference.
Team manager Cam Gray says they originally set out to finish in the top four, but ended up 16 points from that bracket.
“Once again, a lack of pre-season training cost us early in the season,” Cam says.
The team had a poor start, losing six consecutive matches before pulling off a hard fought 1-0 win over table toppers Unimount Bohemian Celtic.
From there they lost four more games on the trot before going unbeaten for the remaining eight rounds of the season.
“It was a great turnaround for the team as there was a period where relegation was a serious possibility.
“I think the belief we could stay in this competition was always there, especially when we had a full strength squad.”
Cam noted mid-fielder Lee Draper and goal keeper Simon Borich as two standouts that kept his side in the league.
“We always miss Lee when he doesn’t play his contribution and work rate is huge.
“Simon was pivotal in the team’s success, making some big saves in matches we only won by a single goal.”
The team also changed its tactics part way through the season to turn things around.
“We changed to play a lot more conservative and defensive football where we absorbed pressure and then stung our opposition on the counter attack.
“Opposing teams couldn’t break us down at the back which, opened up opportunities for us to score.”
Cam says despite the ‘feel good’ factor from finishing strong, the team is effectively treading water in terms of winning the league.
“We need a full commitment from the players at training and games if we want a chance at winning this competition and we aren’t getting that.
“There is also a danger that a number of the older players could move on next season so it’s always my focus to try and bring young talent through into the first team.”
Despite some interest in the role at the start of the season, the team is also looking for someone to take up its coaching position for next year.
Meanwhile, in the NFF Men’s Fifth Division Puhoi Wolfpack finished second, only denied first place on goal differential.
The side, like winners Waitemata Westies, lost just two of its 18 matches finishing on 48 points after beating Waitemata in the final game of the season.
Second place confirms that the team will be promoted into NFF Men’s Fourth Division after they were relegated from the league last year.
