AUCKLAND – Hawkes Bay United and Auckland City top the New Zealand Football Championship (NZFC) with Waikato FC and Team Wellington also winners after the opening round of matches
played at the weekend.
Auckland City were too strong for Youngheart Manawatu thanks to a hat-trick from Scottish midfielder Bryan Little that helped subdue Shane Rufer’s new look side that included Fijian
international striker Osea Vakatalesau and Uruguayan signings Gouzalo Neires and Gustavo Saralegui making their debuts.
Neires was on target for the home side after Osea Vakatalesau saw his penalty saved by Tamati Williams only for referee Jamie Cross to judge Williams had moved off his line too
soon.
Neires was sent off with just seven minutes remaining to cap a forgettable start to the season.
Team Wellington caused the upset of the day at Fred Taylor Park when they turned over O-League champions Waitakere United 2-1.
Daniel Ellensohn opened the scoring for Team Wellington in the 20th minute only for substitute Allan Pearce to draw level on 62 minutes.
United looked to have done enough to secure their share of the spoils until another substitute – Peter Halstead – gave Team Wellington three points after 89 minutes.
The victory gives Team Wellington the perfect start to the season but gives Waitakere United coach Chris Milicich a headache with a busy fixture list that includes NZFC, O-League and
FIFA Club World Cup qualification commitments.
Waikato FC enjoyed a 2-0 away at Otago United thanks to goals from Robert Gill and Jakub Sinkora.
Gill – a former Doncaster Rovers striker – turned in a fine display and capped his debut for Waikato FC with a goal from the penalty spot after 33 minutes.
Czech Republic-born Jakub Sinkora capped off a fine opening day for Roger Wilkinson’s team with an 88th minute goal that elevates Waikato FC into the top half of the table.
The victory was all the more impressive with Waikato FC without Che Bunce, Steve Holloway, Sam Wilkinson and former skipper Matt Williams.
Canterbury United will be wishing their match against Hawkes Bay United had ended after 42 minutes after the Cantabrians capitulated to a 1-3 home defeat despite taking the lead
through English debutant Dave Walker.
Hawkes Bay roared back into the match in the final 20 minutes thanks to goals from new signing Jeremy Brockie on 69 minutes, Sam Messam on 76 minutes, and Leon Birnie on 86
minutes.
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Southern Trust NZFC Standings –
03.11.07
| PL. | W | D. | L. | GF. | GA. | PTS. | GD. | |
| Hawkes Bay | 1 | 1 | 0 |
0 | 3 | 1 | 3 | +2 |
| Auckland City | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 3 | +2 |
| Waikato FC | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | +2 |
Team Wellington |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | +1 |
| Waitakere United | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | -1 |
| Otago United | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
0 | -2 |
| Youngheart Manawatu | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | -2 |
| Canterbury United | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | -2 |
NZFC Results: 02.11.07Waitakere United 1 (Allan Pearce), Team Wellington 2 (Daniel
Ellensohn, Peter Halstead) Otago United 0, Waikato FC 2 (Robert Gill, Jakub Sinkora) 03.11.07Youngheart
Manawatu 1 (Gouzalo Neires), Auckland City 3 (Bryan Little 3) Canterbury United 1 (Dave Walker), Hawkes Bay United 3 (Jeremy Brockie, Sam Messam, Leon
Birnie)