Bevin’s treble is the first hat-trick ever scored by a Hawke’s Bay player and makes him the youngest player at 18 years, five months and 28 days of age, to score a hat-trick in the ASB Premiership.
The previous record was held by Benjamin Totori who was a day shy of his 20th birthday when he scored five goals for YoungHeart Manawatu against Hawke’s Bay in the 2005/06 season.
With both Auckland clubs in O-League action this weekend, Waitakere United remain top of the table while Auckland City slip to fourth. Canterbury United edge Hawke’s Bay on goal difference to move into second place after the Cantabrians defeated YoungHeart Manawatu 1-0.
Canterbury’s second win of the season came courtesy of Solomon Island forward Gagame Feni, who beat Manawatu goalkeeper Matt Borren after 15 minutes to score his first ever ASB Premiership goal.
Borren turned in a solid performance and denied All White Aaron Clapham with a superb save in the opening minutes. The Manawatu goalkeeper was at his best to stop Feni on 20 minutes and then tipped a Nick Wortelboer shot over the bar on the half-hour mark.
Hawke’s Bay got off to a bright start in their match with Otago, a Bevin chip over goalkeeper Adam Highfield on eight minutes setting the tone in a see-saw encounter. Otago levelled just a minute later with Anthony Hancock steering a Tristan Prattley cross past Richard Gillespie in the Hawke’s Bay goal.
Otago’s Paul Seaman put his team in front on 48 minutes with a long-range shot but Bevin restored parity when he headed in a Dan O’Brien corner a minute later. Bevin completed his hat-trick when he struck home a Chris McIvor cross with a superb half volley.
Hawke’s Bay were made to sweat in the closing stages when defender Phil Doran saw red for a second bookable offence but they clung on to cap a memorable day for coach Matt Chandler and his team.
In the ASB Youth League Northern Conference, Waitakere and Waikato FC maintained their unbeaten start to the season after the two sides drew 1-1 in Hamilton on Saturday. Auckland City thrashed bottom placed Hawke’s Bay 5-1 to keep the heat on Waikato.
In the Southern Conference, Canterbury were too good for rivals Otago, thumping their neighbours 7-1. A Billy Scott hat-trick and a double for Tane Gent led the way for Canterbury. Team Wellington kept up their 100 per cent winning record with a 5-1 win over Manawatu.
Waikato is in action today when they take on Wellington Phoenix ‘A’ in the ASB Challenge Series at Fred Jones Park, Hamilton. The match kicks off at 6pm.
The ASB Premiership features a full round of matches this Sunday when Wellington host Waikato at David Farrington Park and Canterbury entertain Hawke’s Bay at Linfield Park, Christchurch. Kiwitea Street is the venue when Auckland City take on Otago and Manawatu go in search of its first points of the season when they welcome Waitakere to Memorial Park.
Story and image courtesy of New Zealand Football.
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