Football: Bay United lick wounds, learn lesson from City

Bay United coach Brett Angell (facing) says Auckland City counterpart Ramond Tribulietx has his troops humming for World Club Championship. Photo / Photosport

It was a "claim an ACC referral and don't bother going to work on Monday" prescription from Auckland City to Hawke's Bay United at the weekend.

The O-League campaigners drew first blood early and then tightened the noose in the second half of their 5-0 victory over the Thirsty Whale-sponsored visitors at Kiwitea St in Auckland during their ISPS Handa Premiership soccer game.

"They are peaking for the World Club Championship so I've not seen a group of players at this level and one team hasn't showed up," said Bay United coach Brett Angell after the Ramon Tribulietx-coached hosts went ahead from an Emiliano Tade goal in just the 13th minute and maintained it to halftime.

Angell had advised his troops at the break to be better when in possession of the ball but when play resumed Bay United went 2-0 down from a goal in the 53rd minute to striker Ryan de Vries.

"I felt our heads had dropped a little bit and we conceded three goals after that very quickly where the game was put to bed in an eight-to-10-minute spell."

That blitz came in the jagged shape of a 64th minute penalty kick and goals to De Vries in the 71st minute and Dan Morgan in the 75th.

Angell said his players had learned a lesson from a team who traditionally set the benchmark in the premiership.

"At this level, from No 1 to No 11 showed up and were far more physically stronger around everywhere so eventually we were by far the second best."

He said Bay United didn't do enough long enough in and out of possession and found Auckland City terrorising them on the top end of the field.

A loss to Auckland City "wasn't unexpected" for the Bill Robertson-captained side, who have lost two on the trot now after succumbing 2-1 to Southern United in Dunedin in the previous round.

Angell ruled out any mental scarring one-third into the campaign but said it had to be put in perspective after four games on the road out of six.

Bay United host Waitakere United in a 2pm kick off at Park Island, Napier, this Sunday.

"We'll just have to make Bluewater Stadium our fortress," Angell said, with Tasman United there the following Sunday.