Vanuatu international Seule Soromon was the difference in Napier where Hawkes Bay beat Otago 2-0 in a New Zealand Football Championship match yesterday.
The big striker was always lurking in dangerous positions, and might have had a hat trick but for some last-ditch tackles by the hard-working Otago defence.
His 67th-minute goal could be enough to earn Hawkes Bay a place in the championship play-offs, while for Otago, the season ends on a limp note, with only six wins registered in the last 56 games, a statistic that must generate changes for next season.
Tim Horner scored an own goal off his head when he tried to cut out a cross from Graham Fyfe in the 85th minute.
Not that Otago did not have chances to score.
But Bays defence closed attackers down quickly and there was little room for strikers Aaran Burgess and David Dugdale to get shots on target.
Coaches Terry Phelan and Malcolm Fleming expressed disappointment at the poor quality of the final ball in, as crosses failed to test the opposition.
It was a below-strength Otago team without captain Andy Coburn and young striker Tom Jackson, both of whom were suspended, but the gaps were filled by youngsters Regan Coldicott, Tom Connor and later Seamus Ryder and Morgan Day, as well as regular fullback Tristan Prattley.
Few teams in the NZFC can afford to have five players on the field that are at a develop-mental stage in their playing careers.
Experienced defender Mike Smith made a return from injury, but the defence missed Colin Falvey's and Barry Gardiner's experience, even with former All White Blair Scoullar adding some substance to the backline.
Goalkeeper Liam Little played well, despite the disappointment of being promised All White game time in the international against Kuwait, then being told that he would not be required.
"Considering the weakened team we took away, the lads did all right," Fleming said.
"Holding them to 0-0 at half-time was a good effort, and we had a couple of good chances, as well. But eventually we ran out of legs and experience.
"It was a warm 28degC in Napier, and that was the final element in the closing stages. We had nothing left to give."
For those who find relative satisfaction, Canterbury finished bottom of the NZFC after being thrashed 5-0 by Auckland City, with striker Grant Young scoring a hat trick.
