Soccer: Waitakere United get act together

This win gives the side an early lead in a lop-sided start to the premiership. Photo / Dean Purcell

After some only average efforts in the opening weeks of the season, Waitakere United found something closer to their best form with a solid 3-1 away win over Hawkes Bay United at Park Island yesterday.

The win gives Neil Emblen's side the early lead in a lop-sided start to the ASB Premiership - two points clear of unbeaten Auckland City who played out a scoreless away draw with Team Wellington 24 hours earlier.

The two Auckland teams and Team Wellington have played two Premiership games, Hawkes Bay and Waikato FC one each with the remaining three teams yet to step out in the new season. The first full round will be played on Sunday with Auckland City hosting Waitakere in the feature.

Waitakere striker Allan Pearce found his scoring boots with two goals - scored in the first two minutes of each half.

His first came with a well-directed header from a Martin Bullock freekick, the second steered home after good work on the left by Roy Krishna.

In between times Krishna was rewarded for another strong game when he finished a neat interchange with a strike which again left Gillespie with nothing to do but drag the ball out of the back of his goal.

Displaying the decided advantage of having played on successive weekends while their rivals sat about waiting, the visitors dominated and frustrated the Bay side who had three players booked in 15 minutes early in the second spell including All White Cole Peverley for a nasty challenge on Krishna.

Down but not prepared to give up, the home side got one back 10 minutes from time following good work from Andy Bevin and the close range finish from Leon Birnie for his 29th goal at this level in just 60 outings.

Team Wellington pushed Auckland City all the way in a tense encounter at David Farrington Park with goalkeeper Phil Imray the hero with his late save of a Daniel Koprivcic penalty after Karl Whalen had brought down Adam Thomas.

Auckland City had the ball in the net in the final minute but Stu Kelly's effort was disallowed for offside.

Auckland and All Whites midfielder David Mulligan expressed disappointment with the result.

"Wellington are always good at keeping possession. We worked hard all week on closing them down, because they are good with the ball," said Mulligan.

"Possession might have been quite even but shot-wise we were ahead of them. Give it six months or so and you'll see a different kind of display from us, a better display and we'll finish those chances."

In ASB Youth League action, Team Wellington and Canterbury United made winning starts to the Southern Conference campaign with Wellington beating Otago 2-0 and Canterbury coming from behind to beat YoungHeart Manawatu 2-1 away.

In Northern Conference action Waikato FC made light work of Hawkes Bay United, winning 3-1 at Crown Park, Taupo. Auckland play Waitakere on Wednesday.