Soccer: Urlovic sure has a head for the game

Paul Urlovic improvised to great effect in spearheading leaders Auckland City to a crushing 5-1 win over Waitakere United in a one-sided New Zealand Football Championship clash at Kiwitea St yesterday.

"I was 50-50 right up until kick-off," said Urlovic after scoring a hat-trick. "I am nursing an injured toe so I had to use my head." In more ways than one.

His three first-half headers left Waitakere still without a win against their cross-town rivals. With All Whites coach Ricki Herbert to name his trimmed-down squad to play Malaysia in a few days, Urlovic did his chances no harm.

The emphatic win, with ace goal-scorer Keryn Jordan out and awaiting an operation this week, coupled with YoungHeart Manawatu's 0-0 draw in Friday's game in Dunedin, allowed City to stretch their advantage at the top of the table to five points.

"We are not a one-man band as some might think," said City coach Allan Jones after his team's 12th win of the season. "All season we have had a stack of people injured."

In Jordan's absence, Jones' other three strikers were all on the scoresheet.

After some early Waitakere pressure, including a fourth-minute miss from Shaun Van Rooyen, City took up the running, giving the out-of-sorts United defence all kinds of problems.

Following a foul by Richie Cardozo, Neil Sykes pumped in a free kick which Urlovic headed home for the 11th-minute opener.

After three other near-misses by the home side which excited most of the 1600 spectators, Urlovic increased the lead in the 29th minute when he again headed home from a ball played in by midfield workhorse Jonathan Smith.

Five minutes later, this time with Grant Young the provider, Urlovic completed his hat-trick.

The visitors again started promisingly in the second half with Cardozo having a one-on-one with goalkeeper Ross Nicholson. That half chance was blocked but United still looked likely after Prince Quansah had replaced Craig Wylie. When George Suri capitalised on an uncleared 63rd-minute free kick, Waitakere had a sniff, but that was their lot.

Ben Hall did have a chance but his attempt cleared everything except the clubrooms as the ball whistled through an open window.

The home side went 4-1 ahead in the 86th minute when Reg Davani, who had replaced Urlovic, scored from a ball played in by Young who, six minutes later, had one of his own when he scrambled home.

Brent Fisher, like Urlovic a contender for a spot in the All Whites' strikeforce, scored one in each half as Canterbury went 2-0 ahead after 52 minutes of their English Park clash with Waikato FC.

The visitors got one back in the 59th minute through Colin Gardyne but could do no better.

Team Wellington sneaked home 2-1 over Hawkes Bay United at Park Island despite having a far greater share of the game.

Peter Halstead celebrated his first start of the season by opening the scoring after 21 minutes. Dean Johnston then conceded an own goal by turning a dangerous floating cross from Bryan Little into the net on the hour. Substitute Chris Greatholder snatched a late consolation for the home side.