Soccer: Home is sweet for city

Auckland City are refusing to get carried away despite a convincing win over cross-town rivals Waitakere United with the lottery of a one-off final looming over their heads.

Auckland were always in control yesterday once midfielder Jonathan Smith scored in the sixth minute and the scoreboard attendant was kept busy as they raced out to a 4-0 lead within the hour.

The result virtually guaranteed Auckland hosting rights for the final to be played on March 12 when they'll face, barring major slips-ups in the final two weeks of the round robin, either Waitakere or Waikato.

Despite the convincing scoreline, interested bystanders might have thought Auckland coach Allan Jones was fed up with his side's display as he trudged off at the final whistle but it was more that he was contemplating the finals format.

"My intention for this campaign was to win the league, that's what's important," he said. "Whether or not we win a one-off game, who knows? To put all of our emphasis on a final is absolute nonsense."

He can, though, only work within the rules and he knows it could be a different proposition if they were to face a Waitakere side that contained the likes of Danny Hay, Noah Hickey and Sean Douglas, who return from injury next week.

"I don't think we are favourites and I don't think we ever have been, not when you look at the strength of the opposition," Jones said.

In a game that drew a healthy crowd of 3000 to Kiwitea St, Auckland showed greater control and urgency with some neat build-up play, particularly down the right flank, and were well marshalled at the back by Jonathan Perry and Greg Uhlmann.

After Smith grabbed a second from 25 yards in the 38th minute with a shot that left Waitakere keeper Simon Eaddy stranded, the visitorsshowed glimpses of their potential with Jeremy Christie and Keryn Jordan coming close. But the game was effectively over in the 53rd minute when James Pritchett scored from a speculative cross-shot. As tempers frayed, Grant Young and his rival for the golden boot award, Jordan, each grabbed a goal, while Allan Pearce nodded in a late consolation. But the real prize awaits on March 12.

AUCKLAND CITY 4

WAITAKERE UNITED 2

- Herald on Sunday