South Island United kicked off Round 4 of the OFC Pro League with a valuable win over PNG Hekari FC, thanks to a Rovu Boyers hat-trick.
Thunderstorms had caused a delay to kick off, but standing water on the pitch was able to be cleared and the game finally got underway just over an hour behind schedule.
Both sides certainly made up for the wait, with the first half flying by in a blur of chances, goals and red cards.
Only five minutes were on the clock when PNG Hekari FC took the lead. Rex Naime found captain Ati Kepo down the right-hand side and continued his run, eventually latching onto Kepo’s cut back and drilling the ball low past Steven Van Dijk.
The lead lasted just over ten minutes however, when Solomon Islander Rovu Boyers delighted the home crowd with the equaliser. The ball was initially played into David Yoo, who laid off to Boyers and the midfielder placed his effort past Dave Tomare and in off the post.
Minutes later and the first red card of the match was brandished by referee Cory Mills. South Island United’s Haris Zeb was played through, catching out a high PNG Hekari defensive line, only to be brought down by Nelson Karaun, denying a goal scoring opportunity.
Rob Sherman’s side wasted little time in taking full advantage. A free-kick from the right-hand side by Yoo caused panic in the box, with Lekima Gonerau’s attempt at a clearance only succeeding in deflecting the ball in off the post with Tomare helpless.
Ati Kepo made his team’s challenge even tougher when he picked up a second yellow card and was dismissed – the forward’s third red card of the season.
PNG Hekari offered brave resistance in the second period, despite their two man deficit and did force Van Dijk into a save, with the goalkeeper awkwardly punching away a well-hit shot from Kasum Gabriel.
Ryan Feutz, who had been having a quiet afternoon, had a good chance to add another for his side but headed straight at Dave Tomare.
It took until after the hour mark for South Island United to finally make their advantage count. Rovu Boyers grabbing his second with a close-range finish following a good low cross from the right by Ry McLeod.
The Solomon Islander would cap off a perfect day with ten minutes left, completing his hat-trick with another finish from inside the area. Substitute goalkeeper Nabo Pongi couldn’t hold onto Lewis Partridge’s cross and Boyers was on hand to secure a hat-trick, hammering the ball high into the net.
The win gives the New Zealanders the perfect start to Round 4 and consolidates their position in the top four.
South Island United: 4 (Rovu BOYERS 16′ 65′, 80′, Own Goal 26′)
PNG Hekari FC: 1 (Rex NAIME 5′)
HT: 2-1
Photo Credit: OFC Media via Phototek