Auckland FC made it two wins from two in Round 5, as they beat PNG Hekari FC in a top-versus-bottom clash at Govind Park.
The New Zealand side knew a win would cement their place at the top of table ahead of the league split, whilst PNG Hekari FC were desperate for some momentum heading into their Challengers Group fixtures next month.
Striker Oscar Faulds was back in the Auckland FC starting eleven and was their biggest threat in the opening 45 minutes, though the frontman did squander a good early chance when unable to control the ball when given space in the box.
Isa Prins forced Dave Tomare into a good save late in the first-half, with the ‘keeper throwing out an arm to tip the midfielder’s effort around the post.
From the resulting corner however, the deadlock was broken. Reid Drake’s looping cross found Faulds at the far post and his perfectly-weighted header drifted over Tomare, nestling in the far corner.
Prins almost doubled the lead before the break, forcing another good save from Tomare when through on goal, as the league leaders flexed their muscles.
Luke Casserly made two changes at the break, bringing on Liam Gillion and James Bayliss, as they looked to press home their advantage.
The former wasted no time in making an impact. A free-kick from Drake was cleared only as far as Gillion, who showed outstanding footwork to create space for himself before curling a low effort past Tomare to double Auckland FC’s lead.
PNG Hekari did show some sparks of life and came close to pulling a goal back through Judahbill Asar, only for his close-range effort to be kept out by Blake Callinan
Jerry Allen made a change in goal just before the hour, replacing Dave Tomare with Christinus Biasu, though his side were continuing to struggle to produce much in the way of attacking threat.
Rex Naime’s pace was their likeliest outlet and the quick forward forced a smart save from Callinan at the near post in the final quarter of an hour.
The win ensures Auckland FC will finish the regular season top of the table, with two games to spare. Both sides will now shift their focus to what lies ahead after the league splits.
Auckland FC: 2 (Oscar FAULDS 42′, Liam GILLION 49′)
PNG Hekari FC: 0
HT: 1-0
Photo Credit: OFC Media via Phototek