Unbeaten Auckland City edge out 10-man Waitakere, as Wellington and Manawatu also record winsSunday, 22 November 2009Unbeaten Auckland reign supreme after derby win Auckland City remained unbeaten at the top of the NZFC Championship table after a pulsating 2-1 derby victory over neighbours and closest rivals Waitakere United. Waitakere United slip to third after the defeat, their first loss to Auckland City in four NZFC regular season matches. YoungHeart Manawatu climbed to second with a valuable 2-1 win over Waikato FC at Ngaruawahia. 2009-10 NZFC results [rd 4]:
The Auckland derby lived up to its reputation for high drama when Martin Bullock was sent off moments after kick-off for contact to the head of City goalkeeper Paul Gothard. Despite Auckland's one player advantage, Jason Rowley opened the scoring for Waitakere after thirty three minutes with a header from a free kick. Auckland City captain and national defender Ivan Vicelich equalised five minutes before half-time before super-sub Grant Young produced a match winning finish for City with ten minutes left. Winning coach Paul Posa was understandably pleased with the victory as the FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2009 looms. "It's hard playing 10 men - teams in this situation often take the lead. Two games in a row we've had to come from a goal down to come back and win." The two teams renew their rivalry in the 2010 O-League at Fred Taylor Park next Saturday 28 November, 2009. YoungHeart Manawatu continued its run of success over Waikato FC after a tempestuous 2-1 win at Centennial Park. Waikato were reduced to ten men after player-coach Che Bunce received a red card early in the second half. Campbell Banks opened the scoring for YoungHeart after 53 minutes when he tapped in from close range. Papua-New Guinea striker Maurie Wasi scored a dramatic equaliser for the home side with twenty minutes remaining but the home side's hopes were dashed when golden boot leader Seule Soromon scored a remarkable solo goal in the 86th minute -his fifth goal in three games- as he evaded three defenders before applying an easy finish beyond Sean Dowling. Otago United, Canterbury United and Hawkes Bay United kept pace with the early season leaders with Otago's upset 2-0 win over Team Wellington the result of the day, while Canterbury and Hawke's Bay shared the spoils after a 1-1 draw in Christchurch. Otago United's win handed Team Wellington its third straight home loss of the season. Darren Ede broken the deadlock at the start of the second half and Dave Dugdale converted a second half penalty to double Otago's lead with only seven minutes remaining. Team Wellington dismal start to the season leaves them in eighth place without a win - or a goal. Hawkes Bay United opened the scoring in its match with Canterbury United thanks to a goal made in the Solomon Islands - Andrew Abba supplying the cross for Joachim Rande to score after 20 minutes. Hawke's Bay's lead was cancelled out by a 30 metre long range strike from Canterbury's Tom Lancaster on 39 minutes. Canterbury enjoyed the bulk of possession in the second half but both teams had to settle for a draw. The NZFC takes a break next week with Auckland City and Waitakere United facing off in the 2010 O-League. Auckland City then departs for Abu Dhabi and the FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2009. The next round of NZFC action takes place on Sunday 6 December 2009 when top-four rivals YoungHeart Manawatu host Canterbury United in the match of Week 6, while Team Wellington head north to meet Hawke's Bay United, while Otago United entertain Waitakere United in Dunedin. NZFC LEAGUE TABLE 2009-10 [rd4]
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