Chad Coombes of Auckland scored a hattrick in the 6-0 romp over Manawatu. Photo / Getty Images
Auckland City extended their lead at the top of football's ASB Premiership to seven points today after Canterbury and Wellington both drew and Waitakere came back into O-League contention.
A 6-0 demolition of YoungHeart Manawatu in Palmerston North all but rubber-stamped Auckland City's minor premiership crown, with only one win
required from their final three games to guarantee top spot.
The race for second remains a three way affair with Canterbury and Wellington's 1-1 draw enough for Waitakere to leapfrog the capital men into third place, following their comfortable 4-0 victory over Waikato FC. Only two points separate the three teams with three matches left and a coveted O-League lifeline the prize for runners-up.
Hawkes Bay kept alive their own faint playoff hopes after a thrilling come-from-behind 4-2 win over Otago in Napier. Hawkes Bay now must win their last three and hope teams above them drop points in the run-in, while defeat means Otago's playoff dreams are over for another season.
The match began brightly for Otago with striker Ant Hancock grabbing a brace to give his side a 2-0 lead at the break. But an own goal and a close-range finish from Hamish Watson within the space of a minute drew the hosts level, before Leon Birnie and substitute Stu Wilson completed the comeback with 11 minutes left.
