Teams battle it out for promotion spot

• Published date: 28 September 2022

Wind and rain were strong factors in the Hutt and both teams were looking to brave the weather in efforts to gain promotion

Everything was on the line. Two league winners but only one promotion position. An entire season of blood, sweat and tears all coming down to one game.

Whanganui Athletic had to make a couple of changes to their line-up, captain Ryan Holden moving to the back to replace Shaan Stuart, who went overseas last Monday, and Ants Bell coming into the front three with Zac Farmer moving to England earlier in the week. This also brought 16-year-old Charlie Meredith a starting spot outright.

Athletic played into the wind in the first half and looked to play out a highly energetic Stop Out and to be more dangerous in the second half.

Both teams came out in high spirits, pushing quick play and looking to work their way into the game. It remained an even contest as neither team would give an inch. A few chances were created but the half was a deadlock as both teams entered the tunnels all square. Nothing between the two sides, however Athletic would have a strong wind at their back going into the second half.

Ants Bell made the most of his starting spot and found the back of the net early into the second half after placing it past the Palmerston North Boys’ High goalkeeper. Each leg of the play-off was played under the rules of the home teams federation.

Stop Out were allowed to transfer an out of club goalkeeper in for the game as their keeper was injured — a move they would not have been able to do in the first leg under Central Football rules.

Mailman was the first to leave the Athletic bench as he replaced Stewart and made an impact straight away, creating good opportunities to double their lead. One of these coming from a high press, where the keeper could only clear it to his feet and he took a touch past the young goalie where he smashed it straight at the sole defender who was on the line. Smith sat on the 6-yard box unmarked in disbelief with the selfish play. Mailman then found himself on the end of a Calvert long ball where he drove towards the box, seeing Smith in the middle, he was caught in two minds and ended up having a shot blocked as the hesitation cost him a goal scoring chance.

Both teams started making changes as fatigue set in and fresh legs were needed. One of these included Jerram...