Soccer: Goal blitz puts Waitakere at top of national league

After squandering chances in the first half, Waitakere United scored three goals in eight minutes to beat Waikato 3-1 in their first-round national league clash in Mt Maunganui yesterday.

The win puts the West Aucklanders on top of the table on goal difference, ahead of the other opening weekend winners, Canterbury and Manawatu. Defending champions Auckland City were held to a draw by Otago United.

Waitakere's blitz started in the 60th minute, when Waikato keeper Danny Robinson spilled a free-kick and Allan Pearce scored from close range.

Goals quickly followed from Commins Menapi and Hoani Edwards before Daryl Gibbs reduced the deficit with a looping header. Waikato were reduced to 10 men when Grant Cooper was sent off for a second yellow card in the 78th minute.

Manawatu, who were impressive on the field last season, failed to satisfy the bean-counters off it and have been forced to reapply for their league place. They also lost their leading scorer, Menapi.

But in Wellington yesterday they shrugged off the setbacks to win 2-1 with late goals to Craig Alderdice and Benjamin Totori. Wellington led 1-0 at halftime through an Andy Barron goal in the 14th minute.

The fans at Kiwitea St, who have got used to success, were not thrilled with champion Auckland City's 2-2 draw with Otago United on Saturday.

It could have been worse. A silly foul by the visitors in the closing minutes allowed Ross McKenzie to find Paul Seaman's head from the free-kick to spare the home team's blushes.

Auckland coach Roger Wilkinson will be looking for improvement from his new signings and a better service to last year's formidable strike force, Keryn Jordan and Grant Young.

Too often on Saturday Young was running into space but receiving no delivery from the midfield.

McKenzie made the most of his debut. He delivered the free-kick for Seaman's late goal and early in the second half scored with his left foot.

Otago took the lead midway through the first spell, when Jindrich Hahn squeezed a shot past Ross Nicholson from a very tight angle. They seemed to take a winning edge in the 82nd minute when winger Michael Eisenhut delivered a perfect cross that Alastair Rickerby hammered home.

In the other Saturday game Canterbury United beat Hawkes Bay 2-1 at Christchurch.