Tremaine Rimene-Albrett, right, had an outstanding game in Magpies win over Petone Thirds. PHOTO/FILE
FOOTBALL
CHRIS COGDALE
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Petone Thirds 1
Douglas Villa Magpies 2
Douglas Villa Magpies are on the cusp of winning promotion to Capital division two after their second win over Petone Thirds last Saturday.
Magpies only need three points from their remaining two games and can secure their place in the higher division with a victory over Waterside-Karori Thirds at home on Saturday.
“We can wind it up this weekend and that’s what we’re hoping to do. It’s most pleasing because we have it in our own hands,” Magpies’ coach Malcolm Cox said.
Magpies are the only team to have beaten Petone – the division three leaders – this season.
The win on Petone’s Memorial Park was special because the team showed great character after going behind to a goal after about 30 minutes when the home side took advantage of some slack defending.
“It was a bit of a seesaw of a game and their goal came against the run of play.
“It sort of took the air out of us a bit, but we had a chat at halftime, and we sorted out a few things. We came out in the second half pretty fresh.”
Whatever Cox told his team worked – they scored two goals in three minutes early in the second spell. The first went to Josh McMenamin, who connected with a brilliant pass from right fullback Caleb Anstis.
Tremaine Rimene-Albrett then gave Magpies the lead when he took off inside his half, beat four or five players along the way and hit his shot sweetly from the edge of the penalty area into the bottom right-hand corner.
Rimene-Albrett had a chance of another goal but was foiled by good defence.
Cox said Tom Sexton, who marked Petone’s tall, dangerous striker, fullback Cayden Cameron, midfielder Rimene-Albrett, and former Wairarapa United striker Seule Soromon stood out in the solid team performance.
Magpies will play Waterside-Karori Thirds at Park Sports Ground at 2.30pm on Saturday.
Greytown keep hopes alive
Stop Out Thirds 1
Greytown 3
Greytown Fresh Choice kept their chances of promotion from Capital division four alive with a valuable away win over Stop Out Thirds.
In a congested points table, Greytown are sixth on 23 points, equal with Victoria University Raiders but with the better goal difference.
With three rounds to play, they are only three points behind leaders Wainuiomata Reserves.
A win away to third-placed Island Bay [25 points] would propel Greytown into contention for a top-two finish and a place in division three for 2022.
Island Bay won their first-round clash 2-1, but Greytown have improved significantly since then and have been one of the form teams in the league, winning seven of their past 10 games.
Greytown finish their campaign with home games against Wainuiomata and Petone Stonecutters, who are one point ahead in fifth place.
