Auckland saw off a spirited Waikato FC side 5-1 in Hamilton to narrowly lead Canterbury, who eased to a 4-0 win over 10-man YoungHeart Manawatu in Palmerston North.
Waitakere United sit third on goal difference after a 3-0 home win over Hawke’s Bay United on Saturday, while Otago United and Team Wellington share fourth after a 2-2 draw in the capital.
Canterbury were in total control at Memorial Park from the opening minute when Russell Kamo netted while against a shell-shocked local side.
Australian import George Slefendorfas added the first of his two goals 10 minutes later and his second on the half hour mark had the win effectively sewn up.
A red card to Pablo Moya for handball, and the resulting spot kick converted by makeshift right back Aaron Clapham six minutes after the break, merely rubber-stamped a three-point haul for the Dragons.
The efforts of the red and blacks were shaded, only slightly, by Auckland’s exploits at Porritt Stadium where a battling Waikato was eventually broken down with a second-half spree.
A stunning drive from All White David Mulligan midway through the first half was cancelled out by a penalty to Adam Thomas but Manel Exposito and Emiliano Tade each scored a double in the second half as the visitors’ class took its toll.
At David Farrington Park in Wellington, Otago United raced to a 2-0 advantage inside the first 11 minutes through goals to Ant Hancock and Darren Overton.
Pressure from the home side paid dividends when Tristan Prattley turned the ball into his own net in the 25th minute and a rare goal to Karl Whalen drew Team Wellington level 10 minutes into the second half.
Otago lost Craig Fergusson to a second yellow card in the 67th minute but the southerners held on for a vital point away from home.
On Saturday, defending champions Waitakere United opened the season with an effective 3-0 win over Hawke’s Bay United.
Last season’s golden boot Allan Pearce set up his skipper Jake Butler for the game’s opener four minutes shy of halftime then earned and converted an 80th minute penalty to add some breathing room before substitute Sean Lovemore set up Roy Krishna late on to confirm the win.
Next weekend in O-League action, Waitakere host Tefana from Tahiti while Auckland travel to the Solomon Islands to face Koloale. The ASB Premiership resumes on November 6 with a full round of matches.
Story courtesy of New Zealand Football.
For more on New Zealand football go to www.nzfootball.co.nz

Share