Football: Concentration lapses again costly for Bay

Auckland City's Dylan Manickum wins the ball from Hawkes Bay United's captain and goalscorer Sam Mason-Smith. Photo/Photosport

Hawke's Bay United footballers have yet to grasp the importance of shaking off early disappointment and regaining focus fast enough.

"They punished us when we lacked concentration ... it was four minutes of madness," Thirsty Whale Hawke's Bay United coach Brett Angell said as he reflected on today's 2-1 IPS Handa Premiership third-round loss to Auckland City in Auckland.

"The disappointment was there after Auckland's first goal and because it was still there four minutes later we conceded another. We didn't react fast enough after that first one," Angell lamented.

"But in saying that it was our best performance of the season. We just didn't take the opportunities which presented themselves in the first half," Angell explained.

The score was 0-all at halftime. Winger Dylan Manickum opened Auckland City's account in the 67th minute.

Four minutes later Solomon Islands midfielder Micah Lea'alafa made it 2-0. Captain and striker Sam Mason-Smith scored the visitors' only goal one minute into the six minutes of added extra time.

"It's very frustrating but realistically we played as well as we could have for most of the match. We didn't get something but we deserved something," Angell stressed.

His frustration was compounded when the Bay's French forward Maxime Oliveri was sent off for his second infringement in the 81st minute. He will miss Sunday's home game against Hamilton Wanderers at Napier's Bluewater Stadium.

Angell pointed out his keeper, Mackenzie Waite, didn't have much work to do apart from dealing with the two goals scored by the hosts. He said while all of his players contributed to the team's performance promising midfielder Karan Mandair deserved to be singled out.

"I believe Karan has to be seriously looked at by the New Zealand under-20 team selectors," Angell said.

"The performance was very positive but the result negative."

He was happy to report there are no injury concerns within the camp as the focus switches to the Wanderers.

"If we don't take our learnings on board we will be in trouble. But in saying that we have had a tough start with three of the top five teams first up ... and one draw and two losses from those games."

It's easy to work out what Angell will have in block letters on the team's whiteboard this week.

"Concentration when adversity comes ... otherwise adversity will come again," he stressed.

In other completed games this weekend Waitakere United recorded their first win of the season with a 5-1 victory against Wellington Phoenix, Eastern Suburbs remained top of the table with a 3-1 win against Canterbury United and Team Wellington beat Tasman United.