Auckland cruise as WeeNix leave it late

Auckland City strolled to their 10th win of the national men’s football league season yesterday, scoring five goals in the first half against Canterbury United.

They took their foot off the gas in the second half at Kiwitea St, where the visitors scored the only goal – a long-range consolation strike from former All White Aaron Clapham.

Myer Bevan scored his 14th goal of the season for City, while Emiliano Tade, Brian Kaltak, Jordan Vale and Alfie Rogers made for a busy scoresheet.

City now sit nine points clear of Team Wellington at the top of the table, but have played one game more.

Two matches were played on Saturday, but the two top-four contenders in action – Waitakere United and Hamilton Wanderers – weren’t able to improve their chances of reaching the playoffs.

Hamilton Wanderers became the third team to lose to the Wellington Phoenix reserves this season. Senior pro Callan Elliot gave the WeeNix the lead in the first half, but an own goal from another senior pro, Liam McGing, levelled the scores midway through the second.

The points appeared destined to be shared, until Riley Bidois stepped up in the 89th minute, scoring after Ben Old’s initial attempt was blocked.

Southern United took an early lead against Waitakere at Logan Park thanks to Cody Brook, but conceded an equaliser midway through the first half, as Spaniard Gerard Garriga Gibert scored his second goal of the season.

Cam Mackenzie restored the hosts’ advantage nine minutes into the second half and they held on for their first win under new coach Terry Boylan.

Waitakere and Wanderers now meet twice in the space of seven days in a a pair of matches that will go a long way to clarifying the playoff picture.