Team Wellington were the big winners in the first round of the NZFC in 2008 after slamming home eight unanswered goals against a very generous Youngheart Manawatu defence at FMG
stadium in Palmerston North on Sunday.

After being stung by a humbling 5-1 defeat to Waitakere in their last game, Team Wellington wasted no time in their response firing home three quick goals within the first 20
minutes.

Things only got better for Wellington after halftime with both Graham Little and Luis Coralles completing Hatricks along with goals from Daniel Ellenshon and Michael Wilson.

Coralles and Little ran rampant through a sparse Manawatu backline who clearly were not prepared for the heavy hitting Wellington side.

Manawatu coach Shane Rufer will be wondering where to go next with his side who host Hawkes Bay next week. The defensive performance will send alarm bells ringing through Rufer’s
ears but of just as much concern is his strike force. Fijian signing Osea Vakatalesau has yet to find the back of the net this season.

In Saturdays earlier games Otago United recorded their first win of the season over South Island rivals Canterbury at Carisbrook.

Chad Severs and Terry Alvino proved to be the hero’s in front of the local faithful and snapped Otago’s 23-match winless streak which dated back to Otago’s 2-0 away win over Hawkes
Bay in round five last season.

Otago dominated possession throughout the game and allowed Canterbury few touches in midfield and were comfortable in passing the ball out of danger at the back.

Three time defending champions Auckland City were better than their 1-0 win over Hawkes Bay suggested but the well deserved three points maintain their position on top of the
league.

 

Auckland finished the match with nine men after Joel Matthews and Greg Ulhmann saw red within three minutes of each other late in the match at Bluewater Stadium in Taradale.

But Colin Tuua’s side escaped with the points thanks to a 17th minute goal from captain Ben Sigmund who tucked home a parried freekick from Korean import Ki-Hyung Lee.

Two deflected goals proved to be the difference at Fred Taylor Park as Waitakere City Overcame a spirited Waikato FC side to win 2-0.

Allan Pearce headed a near post corner toward goal in the 13th minute before it took a sharp deflection of Waikato defender David Samson and left Waikato goalkeeper Dan Robinson
stranded. Then in the 32nd minute Ben Totori made it 2-0 after a mazy run ended in his left foot shot again taking a deflection off a Waikato defender and nestling in Robinsons bottom
corner.

Waitakere deserved their three points and looked a slick outfit in-front of their home crowd. Best for City were Totori and midfielder Jake Butler.

Team Wellington host Waitakere United next Sunday in a fixture that has been brought forward because of Waitakere’s impending Oceania Champions League commitments. Auckland travel to
Canterbury – also on Sunday – in next weekend’s only other match