By TERRY MADDAFORD
These are desperate times for Manawatu coach Richard Hudson and his national club championship soccer team.
With an almost second-to-none home record they have kept themselves right in the Ansett NZ championship race. Their away efforts threaten to end any title hopes.
They slumped 0-1 away to University/Mt Wellington yesterday and play five of their remaining eight games on the road. They have picked up just one point away from Palmerston North this season.
"Away from home we are conceding too many early goals and spend the rest of the game playing catchup," Hudson said after what was a disappointing effort in a mediocre game.
"We did not perform up front and you can't expect to win games if you don't."
This was a game of few even half-chances.
The only goal came in the sixth minute when from a quick free kick the ball was played wide and back to Leigh Kenyon, who found Travis Medhurst. He had ample time to turn and fire not the hardest shot he will ever hit under goalkeeper Gary Darkes' late dive.
Kenyon had another attempt a bit later and 59th-minute substitute Sheik Sahib had a couple of likely runs late in the game. There was not much else.
With previous leaders Nelson Suburbs going down 4-3 in Napier, University/Mt Wellington have gone back to the top - two points clear of Napier, who picked up their third bonus point in leading all the way against Nelson.
Paul Jackson had the home side ahead after 20 minutes with the first of his two goals. They raced to 4-1 after an hour before Nelson got a couple back through Mitch Brydon and Patterson Daudau.
Metro took the long trip south and came back on the wrong end of a 3-0 result as Dunedin Technical dragged themselves out of the cellar with their third win of the season.
Aaron Burgess grabbed two for the winners, who led 2-0 at halftime.
Young Brent Fisher gave Christchurch City a 35th-minute lead over Miramar but Simon George equalised for the home side.
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