Soccer: City comes from behind to triumph

Adam Dickenson wins the ball over Jake Butler. Photo / Dean Purcell

Auckland City made hard work of it but eventually came from behind to score a 2-1 win over 10-man Waitakere United at Kiwitea St yesterday in the best match of the New Zealand Football Championship season.

A man down just five minutes into another of the always keenly-anticipated between the powerhouse teams, United battled bravely but in the end the imbalance told and City went on to claim the fillip they were looking for just a week out from flying to the Fifa Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi.

"It was a cracker, there was a lot in that game," said delighted City coach Paul Posa, after his team claimed the points and a four-point lead in the championship race. "They [Waitakere] kept their discipline and shape and were very organised despite being a player down.

"The turning point came in scoring before halftime which got us back into the game. "I feel sorry for Waitakere, that red card changed the game but their goalkeeper did well."

It was two magnificent saves from Danny Robinson that kept the visitors in the game. The first denied Matt Williams just 1m 40s into the game.

Less than five minutes after referee Peter O'Leary had blown time on, he had his hand in his pocket and dispatched United midfielder Martin Bullock for apparently kicking City goalkeeper Paul Gothard as he went down to gather the bobbling ball.

Waitakere took the lead after 33 minutes when Jeremy Christie fired a well-weighted freekick to the far post when, on his knees, Jason Rowley headed home before turning to celebrate his first goal for the club.

Seven minutes later Auckland captain Ivan Vicelich charged to head home a cross from Chad Coombes for 1-1.

Benjamin Totori, continuing his good recent form, had a chance to put United back in front just before halftime but was denied by a deft James Pritchett touch.

A jinking run from 76th minute substitute Adam Dickinson - within a minute or two of his introduction - set up the winner which Grant Young, also off the bench - rolled home.

"We didn't deserve that," said dejected Waitakere player/coach Neil Emblen.

"We did enough for at least a point."

Waikato FC also finished with 10 men after player/coach Che Bunce was sent off for a second yellow card as they went down 2-1 at home to YoungHeart Manawatu.

Team Wellington's woes continued when they again failed to score in losing 2-0 to Otago United at Newtown Park. They have lost all three matches - and all played at home - to be left floundering at the bottom of the table. The points were shared at English Park as Canterbury United and Hawkes Bay United traded first half goals.