After a disappointing season in 2018 we were relegated to Div3. 

This year was about regrouping and getting back to enjoying our football. 

We had a few significant additions to the squad. Ricky Pehopa, Zac McNeil and Shaun Hale all joining for the first time as well as Kev Speaman and Eoin Killean coming back into the fold after spells away from Oratia.

Looking back on it the few difficult opening games cost us dearly. We only won 1 out of our first 4 games before we started to find our feet. 

A fantastic performance but narrow loss to eventual champions Waitemata proved to be a critical turning point for the team. We pushed on after that and won 11 out of 13 games in a run that took us all the way to a Div 3 Cup Final and a 4 place finish in the league. 

The cup final at Rosedale park was the pinnacle of a great season. Sean Doyle sparked a revival late on in the game to draw us level at 1-1, and then Stu Forrest popped up at the back post in extra time to bundle the ball across the line. Bedlam ensued, and a memorable win was followed by an even more memorable team night out and celebratory end of season function. 

Football is all about days like that! That's why you play. 

Oratia Forrest. 

Article added: Tuesday 22 October 2019