Soccer: Waikato secure spot in play-offs

Waikato FC again defied the odds to beat Napier City at Park Island last night and to keep their New Zealand Football Championship season alive.

The away win snapped a goal-less losing streak for Waikato, who started the season as almost the longest shots in the competition, but eventually made the play-offs with some outstanding away results.

Their ninth win of the season fully justified their top three finish. Only round-robin leaders Auckland City, with 13, and second-placed Waitakere United (11) won more games than the Declan Edge/James Pamment-coached Waikato, who also boasted the third-best defensive record.

After a scoreless first half, in which Napier had a slight advantage, the visitors hit their straps.

Captain Che Bunce opened the scoring in the 68th minute when he ghosted in at the far post to tap in from close range after the Napier defence failed to cut out a freekick.

Ten minutes later, again from set play, Brett Derry headed home for 2-0 to end Napiers' hopes.

The scoring was completed five minutes from time when substitute Brent Mayhew ran on to a through ball and, in a one-on-one, beat goalkeeper Nigel Robson.

"We are delighted. It is a tremendous result," said Pamment as he joined the team in celebrating the win against the odds.

"Everything fell into place. We were too strong in the second half.

"We wanted to be resilient for an hour, at which point we expected the game to open up. It did and we were able to capitalise."

Importantly, Waikato got through the match without any bookings as Bunce and Craig Flowerday went into the game on three bookings.

Yellow cards for either player would have sidelined them for the play-off.

As Napier, whose season is over, contemplate what might have been, Waikato must now prepare for another must-win away game tomorrow week against Waitakere.

In failing to score, Napier's Leon Birnie has dropped out of the Golden Boot race, which will now be decided in two games in Auckland this weekend.

Grant Young, with 14 goals, leads the Auckland City attack against YoungHeart Manawatu at Kiwitea St this afternoon with team-mate Paul Urlovic (13) still in the hunt. Tomorrow afternoon at Trusts Stadium, Keryn Jordan, like Young on 14, will spearhead Waitakere against Otago United.

Waikato have never had anyone with a Golden Boot but as they celebrated last night that was the last thing on their minds.