Soccer: Waitakere clinch minor premiership

Waitakere United's Allan Pearce with the ball. Photo / Sarah Ivey

Waitakere United clinched the minor premiership but the identity of the last national soccer league semifinalist remains unknown after Hawke's Bay drew with Waikato in Napier today.

Waitakere United's 2-0 win over a 10-man Otago United confirmed a fourth minor premiership title for the West Aucklanders and cemented Auckland City and Wellington in second and third place respectively.

Fourth placed Hawke's Bay's playoff destiny is now out of their hands after they drew 1-1 with Waikato.

Canterbury United can pip Hawke's Bay for a place in the semifinals if they defeat Auckland City in their final game at Kiwitea Street.

The Auckland City-Canterbury United fixture was postponed as a mark of respect for those affected by the Christchurch earthquake on February 22, and New Zealand Football will consult both clubs to determine when, where or whether the fixture will take place.

Manawatu finished on a high after they bounced back from two goals down to clinch a 2-2 draw at Wellington.

The result still means the Palmerston North-based club set a new all-time lowest season tally of four points, beating Hawke's Bay old record of five points set back in 2005-06 season.

In Dunedin, Otago United never recovered from a red card for defender Tom Sadd inside the first minute as Waitakere eased to a 2-0 win.

Mike Gwyther opened the scoring with a powerful freekick after three minutes.

Allan Pearce, sealed a day of double delight when he extended the visitors' lead, beating goalkeeper Adam Highfield from the penalty mark on 21 minutes, to score his 12th goal of the season and win the league's golden boot award.

Pearce's nearest rivals, Milos Nikolic and Andy Bevin were both on the scoresheet at Napier, where Nikolic's ninth goal of the season gave Waikato the lead over Hawke's Bay United after eight minutes.

Bevin grabbed his ninth goal of the season when he levelled the game on the half hour mark after he swept home a Marama Thompson cross.

Needing a win to advance to the semifinals, Bay launched a second half assault on the Waikato goal but came up just short with the points shared.

Hawke's Bay must now wait for the outcome of the Canterbury United's outstanding fixture with Auckland City.

Wellington's faltering form continued when they spurned a two-goal lead to with Manawatu at Newtown Park.

First half goals for Emiliano Tade and John Sutherland looked to have set Wellington on their way to victory but a second-half rally by Manawatu threw the match on its head.

Michael White snatched Manawatu a lifeline when he blasted beyond Phil Imray on 74 minutes. Defender Colin Falvey ensured a share of the spoils when he volleyed home the equaliser one minute into time added on.

The first leg of the semifinals will be played next weekend with Auckland City travelling to Newtown Park to take on Wellington.

Minor premiers Waitakere United will play their away leg against either Canterbury United or Hawke's Bay United.

- NZPA