Soccer: Business as usual for Jordan

Auckland City's celebrations after their clean sweep at Friday night's awards function carried over to Kiwitea St yesterday. In difficult conditions, they beat Team Wellington 5-3 to consolidate their place at the top of the NZFC table.

Led by a Keryn Jordan hat-trick and with two from fellow South African Grant Young, the NZFC Player of the Year and, with Jordan, joint winner of the inaugural Golden Boot, City repelled a strong second-half challenge from the visitors.

Taking first use of a howling wind, City dominated long periods of the first spell but did not score until the 42nd minute when Jordan headed home a Neil Sykes corner. Three minutes later Jordan had his second.

Young made it 3-0 in the 48th minute but that signalled a turnaround for the visitors.

Bryan Little provided the finish to a Jamie Duncan cross in the 56th minute for 3-1, and Little turned provider for David Johnston two minutes later as the Wellingtonians closed to within a goal.

Two superb Ross Nicholson saves denied them an equaliser and five minutes from time they were hit hard when the Jordan-Young double-act put City further ahead.

But the visitors were not done with and a minute later Geoff Brown provided the finish to a Little corner to complete the scoring.

In Napier the woes continued for the home side as Otago United defeated Hawke's Bay 3-0.

Otago moved into second place ahead of YoungHeart Manawatu, who are home to Waikato FC this afternoon.


NZFC
Auckland: 5
Wellington: 3

- HERALD ON SUNDAY