Soccer: Ref doubled over, Smith and Mulrooney doubled up in championship opener

Despite four goals, a missed penalty and a rogue car blocking the carpark, it was a referee who provided the most dramatic moments in the season's league opener.

Pierluigi Collina lookalike Ian Walker (if only he was as good), fell like the proverbial sack of spuds when Chad Coombes ran into the back of the whistle-blower in the 65th minute, leaving him prone and seemingly out cold.

Walker continued, only to collapse again 15 minutes later. He was stretchered off and taken away in an ambulance. He looked somewhat punch-drunk and so did the two sides as they fought out a scrappy opening to the new New Zealand Football Championship season.

Like a couple of pub brawlers trying to float like a butterfly and sting like a bee, they stumbled and fumbled their way through 90 minutes as passes went astray, kicks were fluffed and the officious Collina (Walker) blew his whistle far too often for the crowd of 700 at Kiwitea St yesterday.

It was supposed to be the Grant Young and Keryn Jordan show but it was midfielders Jeremy Smith and Liam Mulrooney who impressed.

Smith's first half double - the first when he looped the ball with the outside of his foot over keeper Mark Fulcher when merely trying to cross the ball into the box - gave the home side a comfortable lead they never looked like relinquishing.

Young and Jordan were the league's top scorers last season but Jordan was enticed across town to join the defending champions.

Auckland fully deserved their halftime lead and they continued to dominate proceedings in the second spell, with Mulrooney adding the finishing touches with well-taken goals in the 73rd and 78th minutes.

Waitakere United are away to Hawke's Bay, Otago host Wellington and Manawatu are at home to Canterbury in today's fixtures.

Auckland 4 (J. Smith 19, 24, L. Mulrooney 73, 78)

Waikato 0.

Halftime: 2-0.