Auckland City moved top of the New Zealand Football Championship yesterday for the first time this season.
Runaway leaders Team Wellington had a bye this week , with their scheduled opponents Waitakere United featuring in the FIFA Club World Cup, which meant Auckland only needed to
win against Manawatu to regain their familiar hold on the league.
For 62 minutes it looked like an upset was on the cards as Manawatu were controlling the game and enjoying a 1-0 lead thanks to a 12th minute Ian Sandbrook strike from outside the
box.
But as the second half wore on it looked more and more likely that Auckland were going to get a breakthrough and it was All White Centre back and Auckland captain Ben Sigmund who
provided the spark by out leaping Manawatu goalkeeper Michael Utting to nod home the equaliser from a corner.
That opened the gates for Auckland who then went on to score a further three goals in 18 minutes through Keryn Jordan, Ki-Hyung LI and substitute Jeff Campbell.
The result sets up a mouth watering clash between Auckland and Wellington this Saturday to see who goes into the Christmas break leading the pack.
Waikato will be eyeing up fourth spot on the table following their 3-1 win over table dwellers Otago at Waikato Stadium. It was the first Home win for Waikato and sets up a six
pointer this weekend against Hawke’s Bay with both teams fighting to stay in the top three hunt heading into the break.
Waikato left it until the 80th minute when super sub Joe Simpkins smashed a right footed blast into the top corner. It was a messy game played in wet slippery conditions and for long
periods looked as if it would remain scoreless.
But Simpkins goal ignited the spectacle and within five minutes Waikato were 3-0 up after a converted penalty and a superb solo effort from Rob Gill.
Otago earned a consolation goal in the 92nd minute through John Lang but will be very disappointed with the result after enjoying long periods of domination in the second half.
All the goals in Hawke’s Bay United’s 2-1 win over Canterbury United came in the first half hour.
They took the lead after some fine work from Jarrod Smith set up a goal for Graham Fyfe after three minutes. Dave Walker equalised for Canterbury in the 26th minute before last
week’s super sub Stu Wilson again popped up for Hawke’s Bay with the winner in the 30th.
The result leaves Hawke’s Bay just outside the playoff spot on goal difference and sets the scene for an exciting final round of games before the break.