Central League kicks-off in Wellington

One of New Zealand’s most important regional winter leagues has kicked-off – finally football is back in action in New Zealand, after a long absence due to a COVID 19 pandemic. With quality football, five matches were played this weekend to open a season that promises to be very entertaining for fans. The Central League is on!

Stop Out received Wairarapa at Hutt Park to kick-off the season. Counting on the likes of Justin Gulley and Nathanael Hailemariam Stop Out edged past Wairarapa by 3-2. A brace scored by Jared Cunniff and another goal by Cameron Mackenzie help Stop Out to kick-off the season in style; both goals of Wairarapa were scored by Joshua Rudland.

At Petone Memorial Park, the hosts Petone took on the powerful Miramar Rangers of Jorge Akers and Ollie Whyte. Despite the best efforts of the hosts, the most experienced side took advantage through Jorge Akers in the early stages of the game; in the 40th minute of play Whyte scored the final goal of the clash to give Rangers a 2-0 win over Petone.

The young side of Lower Hutt could not start the season with a win, as they draw against Waterside Karori at Fraser Park. Riley Bidois scored a late equalizer for the home side as Karori took an early advantage through the effort of Harry Fautley.

One of the most entertaining matches of the first round of Central League took place in Wakefield Park, as Wellington Olympic played against the current champions of Chatham Cup Napier City Rovers. The experienced Wellington Olympic player Scott Basalaj and the high prospect Jack-Henry Sinclair could not start well the season as they lost by to 2-1 to Napier, the team coached by the experieced Bill Robertson. Kenny Willox and Karan Mandair scored the goals of Napier, while Gianni Bouzoukis scored the sole goal of the home side.

Despite counting on the very good attacker Jesse Randall, North Wellington could not hold their early lead taken at Endeavour Park against Western Suburbs. The penalty scored by Nathan Simes was not enough to an away win, as Xavier Green equalized and the talented Marko Stamenic sealed the win for Western Suburbs.

The competition is set to continue in the next weekend; despite only one matchweek played, we can already see Miramar Rangers at the top of the table. Much football still to be played in Wellington during the new season that just started!