Waikato remain in fifth Waitakere United shot to the top of the NZFC this week following a 2-0 win over Auckland City in a gritty contest at Fred Taylor Park.

Team Wellington missed the chance to catch ground on Auckland City when they finished 2-2 against Hawke’s Bay in Napier.

Waikato FC were the only other team to win in round ten when they overcame struggling Canterbury United 3-1.

Waitakere’s win over Auckland was their first achieved on-field in 15 NZFC and O-League clashes with City and catapults them to the top of the league for the first time this
season.

It was an ex-Auckland player who struck first when Paul Seaman was quickest to react after Allan Pearce’s long range effort was fumbled by goalkeeper Tamati Williams. Benjamin
Totori helped set up Seaman’s ninth minute opener and then added one of his own from a deft flick off a 32nd minute corner.

The goal was Totori’s eight of the season and he looks on course to bring home the golden boot trophy award for the second successive year after leading the NZFC with less than
half the season to go.

The second half was full of niggle and Chad Coombes felt the referee’s wrath in the 50th minute when he was sent off for a second bookable offense. The red card effectively ended
the match as a contest and Auckland will be trying to piece together where it all went wrong this week at training.

Third placed Team Wellington fought their way back to a 2-2 draw in a roller coaster match with Hawkes Bay United. Brazilan import Caue Benicio gave Wellington an early advantage
but goals to Jarrod Smith and Sam Messam had Hawke’s Bay in front before the hour mark and firmly back in the hunt for a top three spot until All White striker Daniel Ellensohn restored parity
in the 72nd minute.

 

In Hamilton, three slick first half goals were enough for Waikato to see off a determined Canterbury side who are plagued with problems. Stanley Waita opened the scoring for the home side in
the 18th minute and then two slick goals in three minutes from Steven Holloway insured the result.

Waikato remain in fifth place, ahead of YoungHeart Manawatu and Otago United after those two teams played out a scoreless draw at Carisbrook.

Results

Waikato FC 3 (Stanley Waita 18, Steven Holloway 33/36)

Canterbury United 1 (Garry McDermott 55)

Halftime: 3-0

Waitakere United 2 (Paul Seaman 9, Benjamin Totori 33)

Auckland City0

Halftime: 2-0

Otago United 0

YoungHeart Manawatu 0

Halftime: 0-0

Hawke’s Bay United 2 (Jarrod Smith 26, Sam Messam 57)

Team Wellington 2 (Caue Benicio 12, Daniel Ellensohn 72)

Halftime: 1-1

NZFC Standings

Name

P

W

D

L

F

A

GD

Pts

Waitakere United

11

9

1

1

32

7

25

28

Auckland City

11

8

2

1

23

8

15

26

Team Wellington

11

7

2

2

26

15

11

23

Hawke’s Bay United

10

4

3

3

16

14

2

15

Waikato FC

10

3

2

5

13

14

-1

11

YoungHeart Manawatu

10

2

2

6

14

26

-12

8

Otago United

10

1

2

7

4

22

-18

5

Canterbury United

11

0

2

9

8

30

-22

2