UNITED SECURE PLAYOFF WITH 3-0 WIN
Monday 27 September, 2021
Words Dave Webster \ WUAFC Media
Wellington United secured second place in the Men's Ultra Football Capital Premier Division and a spot in the Central League playoff with a comfortable 3-0 win over Upper Hutt City at Maidstone Park on Saturday.
The match was a catch up from round 13 when the previous game was abandoned after 41 minutes due to a large pool of water forming in the corner of the turf making it unplayable. It was a must win game for United as anything less would have seen them piped for second by Island Bay United. Meanwhile Upper Hutt City were looking for at least a point to move out of the 8th spot which could still mean relegation depending on the outcome of the play-off.
Upper Hutt City were hampered in their quest by nine goal striker Matt Fong being suspended, while United had close to a full strength side with the return of Fizz Aden, Nacho Junca & Joaquim Pedron, all of whom were missing for last weeks 1-1 draw with Western Suburbs. Upper Hutt were further hampered by their most promising goalscoring threat, veteran Jon Sutherland, going off in the 33rd minute after making an ill judged attempt at a tackle and landing awkwardly on his elbow.
United had more of the chances in the first half but it wasn't until just on half time when a shot was only able to be parried out by Adam Trott in the Upper Hutt goal and was met by Amir Mandalawi who netted his second goal in two weeks.
United doubled their lead 14 minutes into the second half when Upper Hutt defender Joshua Hinton, brought down Nacho Junca in the box. Leo Villa stepped up and converted the resultant penalty. Upper Hutt City started to push forward in the hope of getting something out of the game but were unable to break down the United defence.
It was an individual piece of magic from right back, Fizz Aden in the 78th minute that sealed the game for United, picking the ball up about 30 meters out from goal, he weaved his way through the Upper Hutt defence and across the penalty area before sending the ball in to the net to make it 3-0.
The result confirmed Wellington United in second place in the Capital Premier Division. As the league champions Lower Hutt City are a reserve team and unable to go up, Wellington United will get the chance to playoff for Central League against the Central region champions, Havelock North Wanderers. The games will be played over two legs with the first being next Saturday (2nd Oct) at Newtown Park, followed by the 2nd leg at Havelock Norths Guthrie Park on the 9th October.
ENDS
Ultra Football Men's Capital Premier
Saturday 25 September, 2021
Maidstone Park, Upper Hutt
Upper Hutt City (0) 0
Wellington United (1) 3 (Amir Manadalwi, Leo Villa (PEN), Fizz Aden)
The match was a catch up from round 13 when the previous game was abandoned after 41 minutes due to a large pool of water forming in the corner of the turf making it unplayable. It was a must win game for United as anything less would have seen them piped for second by Island Bay United. Meanwhile Upper Hutt City were looking for at least a point to move out of the 8th spot which could still mean relegation depending on the outcome of the play-off.
Upper Hutt City were hampered in their quest by nine goal striker Matt Fong being suspended, while United had close to a full strength side with the return of Fizz Aden, Nacho Junca & Joaquim Pedron, all of whom were missing for last weeks 1-1 draw with Western Suburbs. Upper Hutt were further hampered by their most promising goalscoring threat, veteran Jon Sutherland, going off in the 33rd minute after making an ill judged attempt at a tackle and landing awkwardly on his elbow.
United had more of the chances in the first half but it wasn't until just on half time when a shot was only able to be parried out by Adam Trott in the Upper Hutt goal and was met by Amir Mandalawi who netted his second goal in two weeks.
United doubled their lead 14 minutes into the second half when Upper Hutt defender Joshua Hinton, brought down Nacho Junca in the box. Leo Villa stepped up and converted the resultant penalty. Upper Hutt City started to push forward in the hope of getting something out of the game but were unable to break down the United defence.
It was an individual piece of magic from right back, Fizz Aden in the 78th minute that sealed the game for United, picking the ball up about 30 meters out from goal, he weaved his way through the Upper Hutt defence and across the penalty area before sending the ball in to the net to make it 3-0.
The result confirmed Wellington United in second place in the Capital Premier Division. As the league champions Lower Hutt City are a reserve team and unable to go up, Wellington United will get the chance to playoff for Central League against the Central region champions, Havelock North Wanderers. The games will be played over two legs with the first being next Saturday (2nd Oct) at Newtown Park, followed by the 2nd leg at Havelock Norths Guthrie Park on the 9th October.
ENDS
Ultra Football Men's Capital Premier
Saturday 25 September, 2021
Maidstone Park, Upper Hutt
Upper Hutt City (0) 0
Wellington United (1) 3 (Amir Manadalwi, Leo Villa (PEN), Fizz Aden)