Auckland City have the chance to open up a three-point lead at the top of the New Zealand Football Championship at Kiwitea St this afternoon following Waitakere United's 3-0 loss to Waikato FC last night.
A goal to Brett Mayhew in the 17th minute when he headed home from close
range, a Che Bunce header from a freekick nine minutes from time and a long-range screamer from David Samson a minute later earned the home side their seventh win of the season and consolidated their third place on the table.
Waitakere United hit the post in each half of an often exciting game in front of around 1000 spectators at Waikato Stadium but those attempts from Allan Pearce and Jeremy Christie were as close as they came to scoring against a solid Waikato defensive effort.
The visitors dominated the early stages of the second spell but were undone by those late goals as they chased the victory so desperately needed to keep the pressure on Auckland City.
Samson's snap shot from outside the penalty area gave Waitakere goalkeeper Simon Eaddy no chance and must rate as one of the best strikes of the season.
The West Auckland side have little time to regroup after their second loss to Declan Edge's Waikato side in less than three weeks as they meet a rejuvenated Team Wellington at Trusts Stadium tomorrow.
Team Wellington's resurgence continued in front of a 1200-strong crowd at Newtown Park with a comfortable 2-0 win over former highflyers Otago United.
Graham Little opened the scoring in the 34th minute when he was on hand to provide the finishing touch to a goalmouth melee after Otago goalkeeper Will Morunga failed to gather a loose ball.
Leading at the break, the home side increased their advantage two minutes into the second spell when Daniel Keat fed Little, whose shot Morunga could only parry to Rupert Ryan, who provided the finish from close range.
Wellington continued to dominate and only some good work from Morunga - the third goalkeeper used by the southerners in recent matches - maintained some respectability.
In two matches in three weeks between the two sides, Team Wellington have scored seven goals without conceding.
With Otago losing, Canterbury United seized the chance to leapfrog their fellow South Islanders into fourth place with their 1-0 away win over YoungHeart Manawatu.
Jamie Smith's 38th minute header was enough to earn the Cantabrians the points in Palmerston North and snap a four-match winless streak stretching to mid-December and including a 1-1 draw against Manawatu three weeks ago.
Auckland City's clash with Napier City this afternoon completes round 15.
In the second double-header, Napier will play Manawatu on Monday night.
Auckland City have the chance to open up a three-point lead at the top of the New Zealand Football Championship at Kiwitea St this afternoon following Waitakere United's 3-0 loss to Waikato FC last night.
A goal to Brett Mayhew in the 17th minute when he headed home from close
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