Despite stormy weather disrupting much of the action this weekend, Auckland City and Team Wellington recorded fine away wins to consolidate their places at the head of the ISPS Handa Premiership table.

Auckland City sit five points clear of their rivals thanks to a comprehensive win over Canterbury United while Team Wellington came from behind to scramble a thrilling victory over Eastern Suburbs in a frenetic second half in the late game today.

Penalty drama was the order of the day at Madills Farm. Reid Drake gave Suburbs the lead just after half-time with a fine volley before Martin Bueno doubled the advantage from the penalty spot shortly afterwards. Team Wellington were then awarded two penalties of their own though, both coolly converted by Oliver Bassett to set up a grandstand finish.

It was Jack-Henry Sinclair with the final say, driving home from the edge of the area to give his team the lead and complete a Wellington hit-and-run job for all three points.

After a scoreless first half, Auckland City hit the front against the Dragons with a Mario Bilen rocket from outside the area before David Browne’s fine run set up Myer Bevan for a straightforward finish. With the home side rattled, Cameron Howieson struck once more in additional time to put the icing on a complete performance and an impressive away win for City which puts them well in control in first place.
 

Waitakere's Gerard Garriga Gibert shields the ball from Derek Tieku (Photosport)

The rain played a part in Nelson, where the players had to contend with a downpour midway through the first half. The Wellington Phoenix Reserves took the lead on the counter-attack with Byron Heath providing the finishing touch. Matthew Tod-Smith scored the equaliser for Tasman just after half-time to set up a hard-fought final third.

Tasman’s hopes of pushing for the win suffered a blow when Cory Brown was dismissed with just over 20 minutes remaining and, despite a game effort from both sides in the wet, the score remained 1-1.

Hamilton Wanderers’ hosting of Waitakere United did not survive the stormy weather however, the match having to be abandoned around the hour mark due to thunder and lightning.  Waitakere had been 2-0 up at half-time thanks to a Sam Burfoot free kick and a strike from Clarke Foulds on the stroke of the break. Joseph Terry then rose to meet a Derek Tieku corner to give Wanderers a sniff before the weather intervened. 

On Saturday night in Dunedin, a large and noisy crowd were treated to a close contest that finished 2-2. Hawke’s Bay United went ahead early after Ihaia Delaney tapped in a run and cross from Ahinga Selemani, who found the net himself shortly after half-time.

Southern had scored through Danny Ledwith with a cross-come-shot just after the interval, while it was Cody Brook with the final say, scoring late from a corner to ensure the spoils were shared.

For the table and more information on the ISPS Handa Premiership please click here

ISPS Handa Premiership Match Week Six

Southern United 2 (Danny Ledwith 48’, Cody Brook 86’)
Hawke’s Bay United 2 (Ihaia Delaney 2’, Ahinga Selemani 56’)
HT: 0-1

Canterbury United Dragons 0
Auckland City 3 (Mario Bilen 65’, Myer Bevan 71’, Cameron Howieson 90 + 3’)
HT: 0-0

Tasman United 1 (Matthew Tod-Smith 52’)
Wellington Phoenix Reserves 1 (Byron Heath 27’)
HT: 0-1

Eastern Suburbs 2 (Reid Drake 48’, Martin Bueno pen 55’)
Team Wellington 3 (Oliver Bassett pen 60’, pen 80’, Jack-Henry Sinclair 81’)
HT: 0-0

Hamilton Wanderers vs Waitakere United
Match abandoned due to inclement weather 

Article added: Sunday 08 December 2019