Football: Molony powers WaiBOP to win

A rollicking four-goal first half got WaiBOP United off the mark in the 2015-16 ASB Premiership on Thursday with a 5-1 victory over Waitakere United at QBE Stadium.

The visitors made a flying start to the first match of the second round, holding a 3-0 lead before the 20 minute mark via a Wade Molony double and a Mark Jones penalty.

Peter Smith's team went further ahead in the 43rd minute as Waitakere United goalkeeper Simon Williams fumbled Marc Evans' free kick into his own net.

Sean Lovemore pulled a goal back for the hosts on the stroke of halftime but it was as close as Brian Shelley's team got despite a much-improved second half. Molony rubbed salt into Waitakere wounds late on, heading in from close range to complete his hat-trick.

Molony's opener came in the 13th minute as the WaiBOP wide man cut back inside and rifled home beyond Williams from outside the area.

Just two minutes later Williams gifted Molony his second with an errant pass which the WaiBOP striker collected before rounding the Waitakere 'keeper and slotting in well from the angle.

Jones made it 3-0 from the penalty spot just before the 20 minute mark after Ross Haviland hacked down the WaiBOP winger after a heavy touch.

Williams' evening got worse in the 43rd minute as he spilled in Evans' free kick before Lovemore gave the hosts hope for the second half with his first goal of the season.

But despite enjoying the majority of possession in the second spell, Waitakere couldn't find a way back into the game, WaiBOP goalkeeper Zac Speedy sharp when required and the post coming to the visitors' rescue midway through the period.

WaiBOP United coach Peter Smith said after his side's late loss to Team Wellington on Sunday, the way they began Thursday's game was superb.

"It was a great performance from the word go," Smith said. "There was a real determination with the lads tonight and from the first blow of the whistle we were ready to go."

"There was an element of frustration from the weekend and unfortunately for Waitakere they were at the brunt of that frustration. To get ourselves three goals in front in the first 20 minutes was top class.

"We've got a bit of confidence but we don't want to get complacent either. We'll celebrate the win but tomorrow we're back in and working again."

Waitakere United player/coach Brian Shelley didn't pull any punches with his assessment of his side's effort.

"I'm not going to stand here and make any excuses," Shelley said, "I'm the head coach and I've got to take responsibility for that.

"We started the game really sluggish. You can look at three of those goals and say you probably wouldn't see them at schoolboy level."

"They were on the front foot. We were complacent on the ball, taking extra touches in dangerous areas and they worked harder than us. The fact of the matter is they wanted to win the game more than us in the first half.

"You can accept mistakes but when you're application is not there it's really disappointing."

ASB Premiership 2015-16 - Round 2
Thursday 19 November

Waitakere United 1-5 WaiBOP United (half: 1-4)
WU: Sean Lovemore 45'
WB: Wade Molony 13', 15', 86', Mark Jones (pen) 19', Marc Evans 43'