Hoy & Hawkes Bay double delight
ISPS Handa Men’s Premiership 2020/21, Week Five & Six Roundup
The ISPS Handa Men’s Premiership got back underway this weekend and fans were quickly given a reminder of how close the teams are this season.
Week Seven Roundup:
Waitakere United 0 – Auckland City 3
Waitakere United were thoroughly outclassed on their home turf by an Auckland City side that could have had six on the day. Mohammed Awad scored early and then hit the crossbar from a curling shot with his left foot in the 18th minute and 30 seconds later he hit the far post with a driven attempt on his right. A second goal deservedly came in the 23rd minute, Logan Rogerson continuing his goalscoring form with a close-range chip over the onrushing Nick Draper. City continued their dominance in the second half, Cameron Howieson turning one, brushing off two and firing home nonchalantly from just inside the 18-yard area. Waitakere struggled to create any clear chances and it was Rogerson who hit the crossbar next in the 68th minute. A lovely cross from left back Alfie Rogers found him at the far post, but Rogerson could not make it a brace. United’s slide down the table continues, while Auckland’s win took them to first on the table on goal difference.
Wellington Phoenix 1 – Canterbury United 1
It was a case of two minutes, two corners and two goals that made the difference in this match between the Nix Reserves and Canterbury United. Oskar Van Hattum made it one-nil to the Phoenix in the 20th minute after he controlled well from the corner and finished low from the top of the box. However, up the other end, Canterbury had a goal back immediately through the unfortunate head of the Phoenix Reserve’s Finn Surman. His attempted clearance skewed off his head and past Alex Paulsen for an unlucky own goal. Despite plenty of chances at both ends, especially in the second half as players tired on the Fraser Park turf and the game got more end-to-end, the two sides could not be separated.
Hamilton Wanderers 1 – Team Wellington 1
A very even game was sparked into life by a stunning Mario Barcia strike in the 42nd minute from 25 yards out that left Wanderers keeper Matt Oliver with no chance. However, a clear handball in the box gave captain Derek Tieku the chance to even the scores and he duly delivered to equalize right on the stroke of half-time. The second half was a highlight reel for the goalkeepers, with Oliver and Scott Basalaj called into action time after time – and they were equal to every shot they faced.
Eastern Suburbs 1 – Hawke’s Bay United 2
Hawke’s Bay United continued their winning form, picking up where they left off in December to record back-to-back wins. Despite losing leading scorer Jesse Randall to US College soccer, they still did enough to beat the highly fancied Suburbs side at Madills Farm. A Gavin Hoy freekick gave the visitors the lead in the 55th minute and the Canadian doubled his and his sides tally with a well taken second 10 minutes later. Eastern Suburbs captain Reid Drake curled home a shot that deceived everyone in the 70th minute to give Suburbs the chance of a fightback, but ultimately the Lilywhites fell short.
Week Eight Preview:
Auckland City vs Hamilton Wanderers – 16/01/21
2:00pm kickoff, Kiwitea Street
A clash between the two blue armies promises to be the game of the round as City will look to avenge the away loss, they suffered to the Wanderers earlier in the season. Hamilton will be looking for a rare double over the defending champions to get back to winning ways and halt their recent winless run.
Canterbury United vs Eastern Suburbs – 16/01/21
3:00pm kickoff, English Park
Canterbury United have a score to settle when they face a smarting Eastern Suburbs side for the second time this season. The Southerners will be doing their utmost to get a crucial victory at home, after Suburbs slipped up against Hawkes Bay United last time out.
Hawke’s Bay United vs Team Wellington – 17/01/21
1:00pm kickoff, Bluewater Stadium
Buoyed by their crucial away win last time, Hawke’s Bay United return home with the tough task of defeating a classy Team Wellington outfit. Expect a close game if the last meeting between these two teams was anything to go by!
Wellington Phoenix Reserves vs Waitakere United – 17/01/21
4:00pm kickoff, Fraser Park
The Phoenix Reserves result on the weekend mirrored their first team counterparts as they finished with a 1-1 draw. Another home game against recent strugglers Waitakere United gives them a great chance to get another three points. United will be looking to avoid a similar result to the 4-1 home loss they suffered against the WeeNix in the first round.