Waitakere and Wanderers off to electric starts
ISPS Handa Men’s Premiership 2020/21, Week One Roundup & Preview of Week Two
Week One Roundup:
Auckland City 1 – Eastern Suburbs 0
In a match played at a frantic pace, the fans that turned up to the lush Kiwitea street pitch were treated to a spectacle that included many chances and multiple controversial moments. There could have been a penalty early in the first half when City midfielder Cam Howieson was brought down in the box by Suburbs captain Adam Thomas – referee Matt Conger said no penalty. The main controversial moment came midway through the second half, with referee Conger adjudging Suburbs defender Christian Grey had handled the ball inside the box. Replays clearly showed the ball had hit his chest and not his arm. Suburbs could feel rightly aggrieved when Emiliano Tade slotted home the resulting penalty, while Auckland City felt justice was served after the non-penalty earlier on. Apart from those moments, the rest of the game was ruled by two goalkeepers in top form. Cameron Brown made a string of crucial saves for the hosts, with the pick of the bunch a 40th minute save from a close-range Dan Edwards header. At the other end Danyon Drake was also having a blinder, with two fingertip saves denying Tade and Riera within two minutes of each other early in the second half. Though Drake could not save the penalty and despite a mistake by Brown in the 83rd minute almost allowing Suburbs striker Stephen Hoyle to snaffle a late equaliser, their saves stole the show.
Man of the Match: Cameron Brown (Auckland City)
Canterbury United 0 – Waitakere United 4
A disappointing performance by the home side contrasted with the firepower of a determined and youthful Waitakere United side, who blew the Dragons away in the second half after taking a 1-0 lead just before the break. Alexander Greive before Spanish import Gerard Garriga Gibert stabbed away a second in the 62nd minute. Alex Connor-McClean, off the bench to replace Angus Kilkolly, got the third with a powerful strike from the edge of the 18-yard box. The final flourish was put on the performance by Gibert, slotting home his second in the 91st after another rebound fell kindly to him. Canterbury skipper Tom Schwarz was clear that the heavy home defeat was unacceptable, “we know we’ve got to improve, it’s got be a right kick in the arse to push on and we know we’ve got a big game next week and we need to pick up points”.
Man of the Match: Gerard Garriga Gibert (Waitakere United)
Hawke’s Bay United 0 – Hamilton Wanderers 3
A solid second half showing saw Hamilton Wanderers through after a cagey opening 45 minutes between two evenly matched sides. Josh Signey opened the scoring for the away side with a wonderful strike from the edge of the box, before he got his, and his sides, second with a well-taken finish into the roof of the net after a one-two followed by a mazy run in the box. A blistering Tommy Semmy run and simple set-up allowed Derek Tieku to finish Hamilton Wanderers off in the 83rd minute, as he tapped in Semmy’s pass. The Wanderers will be ecstatic with their clean sheet away from home, meanwhile Hawkes Bay will need to pick up the pieces and make Bluewater stadium a fortress again if they want to challenge for a top four spot this season.
Man of the Match: Josh Signey (Hamilton Wanderers)
Wellington Phoenix Reserves 0 – Team Wellington 1
In a back-and-forth arm wrestle of a game between two sides loaded with Central league talent, it was a late goal from Jack-Henry Sinclair that made the difference in this ‘WelClasico’. Until Sinclair’s half-volley claimed all three points for the visitors in the 89th minute, it had looked like the game at the Nix Reserves new home of Fraser Park artificial turf was destined for a draw, as the Wellington wind wreaked havoc on the play.
Man of the Match: Jack-Henry Sinclair (Team Wellington)
Week Two Preview:
Team Wellington vs Hawkes Bay United
Returning home to David Farrington Park, Team Wellington will be looking to extend their winning run against a Hawkes Bay side that will be looking to bounce back from their home defeat. Perhaps this is the season Waitakere United can make their latest home of Seddon Fields as feared to visit as Fred Taylor Park used to be.
Prediction: 3-1 Team Wellington win
Waitakere United vs Wellington Phoenix Reserves
Last rounds big winners will host the luckless Phoenix Reserves, who will be keen to score a few goals this week after drawing a blank in their narrow and late loss to Team Wellington last time out. The Reserves merited a result in that game, so they will hope they can pick up points against a hungry Waitakere team.
Prediction: 2-2 draw
Hamilton Wanderers vs Auckland City
Two of the winning teams from last round play each other as the reigning champs travel to Porritt Stadium, the site of their preseason loss to the Wanderers a few weeks ago. City will have extra motivation to win after that preseason loss, while Hamilton will want to repeat the trick and build on their excellent performance in round one.
Prediction: 2-1 Auckland City win
Eastern Suburbs vs Canterbury United
With both sides ending up without wins in week one, Eastern Suburbs and Canterbury United will be itching to get points on the board in this match. There should be plenty of fireworks once the game kicks off at Suburbs Madills Farm ground.
Prediction: 3-1 Eastern Suburbs win