Wanaka Clean Sweep In SL Promotion Play-offs

Wanaka became the first side to make it a clean sweep in the Southern League Promotion Play-offs when winning the 2nd Leg 4 - 3 over Waimak, to back up their 5 - 1 win at home last weekend in the 1st Leg to claim a comprehensive 9 - 4 aggregate victory. 

As expected, the deficit from 1st Leg proved too difficult to overcome for the Waimak side with the second half becoming a goal feast after a scoreless opening half. Waimak's Takumi Kambai finally broke the stalemate when scoring in the 53rd minute but the lead only lasted minutes before Ben Sippola levelled for the Centre Otago side. 

John Plimmer then put Wanaka ahead before substitute Daniel Rieriro De Abreu gave the Waimak fans hope when equalising in the 73rd minute. Wanaka then put the result out of Waimak's reach when scoring twice in quick succession in the final minutes of normal time, with Plimmer adding his second with Anthony Sprowson scoring Wanaka's final goal before Ribeiro De Abreu scored a consolation for Waimak, in added time. 

Wanaka will now apply to New Zealand Football for a licence to play in the National League and if successful will become the club from the smallest population base to compete in the league from around New Zealand.  

Result / Scorers

Play-off 2nd Leg - Scorers

Waimak 3 (D Ribeiro De Abreu 2, T Kambai)
Wanaka 4 (J Plimmer 2, B Sippola, A Sprowson)
HT 0 - 0 

Wanaka 9 - 4 on aggregate

Article added: Monday 07 October 2024