Seule Soromon, left, playing for Wairarapa United in 2020, sealed Douglas Villa’s promotion from Capital Three with two first-half goals. PHOTO/FILE
FOOTBALL
CHRIS COGDALE
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Douglas Villa 2
Waterside-Karori 0
Seule Soromon scored a brace of goals to secure Douglas Villa Magpies’ promotion into Capital division two.
Magpies went into Saturday’s division three home game against Waterside-Karori Thirds, needing three points to lock in second place and earn promotion for 2022.
Former Vanuatu international and Wairarapa United’s record goal-scorer Soromon made sure Magpies would fly into the higher division with two goals a few minutes apart midway through the first half.
The home side had their chances to extend their lead but couldn’t convert numerous chances.
“In the second half, we couldn’t put the ball in the back of the net, and we were dominating the game. We weren’t under any pressure,” coach Malcolm Cox said.
“There were a lot of nerves involved as well and the boys just wanted to get through the game as soon as possible.”
Magpies’ promotion is no mean feat, coming in their first year in Capital three. It is also their second promotion in two years and comes in only their second season back in the Capital leagues.
Cox said the players each deserved a huge pat on the back.
“Especially the group who’ve been there the whole time; they’ve weathered a lot of the battles and have come out the other side.
“They know exactly who they are, the ones who always turn up for training and played the tough games when we’ve had to piece together a team. Without them, this would never have happened.”
Cox said the first game, an away win 3-2 over Naenae, set the tone for Magpies’ season.
“That showed what we needed to attain, and we’ve pretty much done that.
“There were games there that we should have won by double what we did, but at least we came away with points.
“We’ve had a rollercoaster season, with suspensions and people away, but in the second half [of the season] we’ve done really well.”
Cox said there would be a lot of hard work to prepare Magpies for Capital two, which is a big step up in quality, but the club cannot use the team as a development side.
“Development happens lower down, and the top team is not about developing players as many people seem to think. We develop the players in the youth sides and the feeder team, and that’s where it has to come.”
Magpies wrap up their season on Saturday away to North Wellington, and Cox said the players were determined to finish on a high, having lost their first encounter 3-6 at home.
Greytown miss out
Island Bay 4
Greytown 1
Greytown Fresh Choice’s slim chances of promotion from Capital division four virtually disappeared with a disappointing loss away to Island Bay JJ’s.
The defeat leaves Greytown seventh in the league with two rounds to play and only six points off leaders Wainuiomata Reserves, who they play in their penultimate game on Saturday.
Even if Greytown win that, they would still need other results to go their way to finish in the top two.
