Wanderers, Hawke’s Bay lose ground in playoffs bid

The national football league playoff picture has become clearer after Hamilton Wanderers and Hawke’s Bay United lost ground on the top four by suffering contrasting defeats yesterday.

Ricki Herbert’s Wanderers were edged 3-2 by Tasman United at Centre Park in Auckland, with Tasman winger Ahmed Osman scoring a double.

Ryan Worrall opened proceedings from the penalty spot.

The surprise loss leaves Wanderers scrambling five points behind Canterbury United, who pulled away from Hawke’s Bay by scoring four second-half goals to win 5-2 at English Park, and four behind Team Wellington, who were stunned 2-1 by Waitakere United at David Farrington Park.

Canterbury captain Gary Ogilvie netted twice in the rout over Hawke’s Bay, while two early goals scored by Sam Burfoot and Jake Mechell saw Waitakere upset Oceania champions Wellington in the capital.

The defeat was just Wellington’s second of the season. Although they sit one point behind Canterbury, they do have a game in hand.

Runners-up Eastern Suburbs continued their push for a home semifinal by comfortably beating the Wellington Phoenix reserves 4-0 at Westpac Stadium on Saturday, with striker Callum McCowatt collecting a hattrick.

The Phoenix reserves have now lost 10 straight.

Meanwhile, competition leaders Auckland City survived a scare to beat Southern United 2-1 at Kiwitea St.

Down 1-0 at halftime, City stormed back in the second half courtesy of own goal from Erik Panzer and a free-kick from Fabrizio Tavano.

City remain five points clear at the top of the table.

Results Eastern Suburbs 4 (Callum McCowatt 9’ 65’ 66’, Elijah Just 14’) Wellington Phoenix reserves 0. HT: 2-0 Auckland City 2 (Erik Panzer own goal 58’, Fabrizio Tavano 65’) Southern United 1 (Garbhan Coughlan 39’). HT: 0-1 Waitakere United 2 (Sam Burfoot 10’, Jake Mechell 25’) Team Wellington 1 (Eric Molloy 90+3’). HT: 2-0 Tasman United 3 (Ryan Worrall pen, Ahmed Osman 2) Hamilton Wanderers 2 (Tommy Semmy, Derek Tieku). HT: 2-1 Canterbury United 5 (Stephen Hoyle 3’, Gary Ogilvie 56’ pen, 66’, Maksym Kowal 74’, George King 88’) Hawke’s Bay United 2 (Cory Chettleburgh 28’, Ben Lack 86’). HT: 1-1 Standings (games played): Auckland City 30 (10), Eastern Suburbs 25 (11), Canterbury United 21 (11), Team Wellington 20 (10), Hamilton Wanderers 16 (11), Hawke’s Bay United 14 (11), Southern United 10 (10), Waitakere United 10 (11), Tasman United 7 (11), Wellington Phoenix reserves 0 (10).