Soccer: City crush Bay to take top spot

Auckland took little time in establishing seniority over Hawke's Bay at Kiwitea St yesterday. Needing a win to take top spot - for at least 24 hours - they quickly stamped their authority on a game they eventually ran away with 6-0.

The muggy heat of this late-summer clash seemed to bring out something of the South American in both teams. There was flowing football from both sides. Hawke's Bay's Swedish professional Niklas Sandor set the tone early on, dribbling his way through midfield, only to see his delicate lay-off to Nathan Holten squandered. It deserved more.

Auckland were keen to prove they had flair too - Reg Davani trying a cheeky back-heel in front of the Hawke's Bay goal. He later made up for that miss by cleaning up when Bay keeper Mitchell O'Brien spilled a speculative shot from Liam Mulrooney in the 13th minute. The early goal settled Auckland's nerves.

Mulrooney's right foot seemed to be Auckland's best weapon. His strike needed little contact from Grant Young's unadorned scalp to fly past O'Brien. Auckland were looking rampant. The equally unadorned scalp of Marty Akers caused a double-take as he man-marked Young. Jonathan Gould's men were by no means adopting a siege mentality. Jason Hayne, who remains one of the league's most impressive players, continued to cause Auckland problems.

Tempers also flared. Auckland keeper Ross Nicholson came close to losing his following a somewhat aggressive challenge from Bay's Jamie Farrington. If the first half was all about individual skill, the second half became a tired affair, as players wilted in the heat.

Auckland may have been keen to add to their tally but a two-goal cushion was not about to be squandered in all-out attack.

The third goal was headed home by Jonathan Smith. It released the shackles and three more followed in quick succession. Substitute Chad Coombes netted twice and Neil Sykes rounded off the scoring.

Auckland 6 (Davani, Young, Smith, Coombes (2), Sykes)
Hawke's Bay 0

- HERALD ON SUNDAY