Football: Bay Utd too good for Waitakere

Referee John Rowbury flashes a yellow card to Waitekere United player Eder Franchini-Pasten (No 10) as Bay captain Finlay Milne (extreme left) questions his mindless challenge. PHOTO/Duncan Brown

It was a don't-argue start to the Hawke's Bay United campaign today as they made their intentions clear for this summer.

In fact, it could be argued the Thirsty Whale-sponsored side had shut out giantkillers Waitakere United in the first half as they went into the changing rooms with a 3-0 lead at Bluewater Stadium, Napier.

"Come on, don't get sloppy now," Bay coach Brett Angell barked in his usual way from the box but one could hardly blame the troops as the Reds pulled one back to 3-1 through Julyan Collett in five minutes of added time.

In fairness to Bay captain Finlay Milne and his men, the visitors seldom looked like scoring although some credit should go to his keeper, Joshua Hill, who countered numerous threatening corners, especially in the first half.

Bay United struck in just the first minute when Facundo Barbero reaped the rewards of following up on a Ross Willox ball that clipped the right upright before ricocheting across the face of the goalmouth as the Argentine casually tapped it into a gaping net for a 1-0 lead.

In the 19th minute, right wing back Kohei Matsumoto made it 2-0 after defensive midfielder Nile Walwyn deftly pirouetted before turning defence into attack in the middle of the field.

From the ensuing passage of play left wingback Fergus Neil curled the ball across the face of the goalmouth and Matsumoto became the beneficiary on the far post after a swag of players from both sides missed the cross.

It was Barbero again in the 32nd minute, dutifully following up to make it 3-0 after Waitakere goalkeeper Pirmin Strasser's sliding body deflected a Sam Mason-Smith shot with no defenders within reach to put it out of harm's way.

The hosts maintained their lead into the breather and should have scored more goals had they polished their boots.

In the 47th minute, Waitakere United midfielder Ryan Tinsley was stretchered off after a tackle from Neil, who got a yelloew card for his troubles from referee John Rowbury as play was held up for about five minutes.

Midway in the second spell, St John Ambulance staff gave Tinsley some laughing gas and pain killers as he sat on a chair at the entrance to the main stand nursing his left leg.

They wheeled him away on a stretcher for a suspected fracture of the fibia, according to to a team official.