Conversely, Waitakere United captain Jacob Butler and his defenders weren't shy to leave calling cards every time they repelled Bay United's wave of attacks.
That is not to say Bay United didn't create chances and, through sheer persistence, break the Waitakere defenders' resolve a few times but it also became apparent the hosts need to be more ruthless and clinical at the coal face.
Latest signing Samuel Adjei Jr was just an observer in the pavilion yesterday but it'll be interesting to see how much purchase the Ghanaian/American import striker will find in that department should he start against Tasman United in a 2pm kick this Sunday.
Bay United goal scorer Wes Cain revealed coach Brett Angell had impressed on them the need to "man up" and stick to the game plan.
"It's unfortunate ... we're going to need be more clinical," said Cain after pulling a goal back in the 40th minute with the promise of a fightback after Waitakere United striker Keegan Linderboom pounced on a sloppy defensive clearance to put the visitors up 1-0 in the opening minute.
Lanky centreback Julyan Collett extended that lead to 2-0 in the 16th minute after latching on to a cornerkick from centre-mid Tom Schaw to drill the ball through busy traffic past Bay United goalkeeper Ruben Park Hanks.
Just as they had done in the first half, Waitakere struck a psychological blow early in the second spell when Butler, cool as a cucumber, curled the ball to the roof of the net below the left upright in the 51st minute from a freekick to buy some breathing space with a 3-1 score line on a smothering 26C day.
To be fair, Bay United lacked neither inspiration nor endeavour because the zest with which the newly mustered players came back at Waitakere deserved plaudits.
However, where they also looked anaemic for a good part of the game was in the midfield.
When they gained possession that lateral vision out wide to the wings wasn't always forthcoming with a touch too many or a pass weighted too heavy or, at times, lacking direction.
Cain agreed Bay United needed to be a little mentally rigid in their approach, something they would address in training this week.
"We'll switch on," said the Canadian import right winger, finding no qualms with the heat or the crisp surface for the type of game Angell wants them to play amid some growing frustration to chuck that monkey off their backs.
A smiling Butler said it was mission accomplished for them after a few loose starts to their campaign.
"The plan today was to come and play a structured game and we did that," he said, pleased with the way Waitakere had started the match.
The early goals, he said, had granted them the licence to maintain their shape to dictate play.
"We had a little bit of a scare there when Hawke's Bay pulled one back but another smart performance in the second half pulled us through."
Butler said Waitakere prided themselves on their ability to pull out a physical game when the need arose.
"We were very strong today because no one got pushed off the ball or anything and we were able to enforce ourselves on Hawke's Bay and it worked," he said, revealing Waitakere capitalised on second-phase possession as well.
A grinning Butler said he was due a goal of that calibre, where no one had moved, bar keeper Hanks, as he deftly tucked the ball into the net.
Waitakere felt the heat during their warm up but the breeze was timely as their fitness came through with a snappy drinks break midway of each half.
Bay United striker Adam Thurston howled in protest, appealing for a penalty kick in the 20th minute from referee Waldron but, while there was contact, that didn't necessary mean it warranted a kick from the spot perhaps because the official didn't suspect any malicious intent.
Thurston, instead, picked up a yellow card for abusive language.
Left winger Gavin Hoy picking a yellow card just before halftime in a 50-50 challenge with the keeper was debatable, though.
