Soccer: Auckland move clear of pack in 4-1 win

Auckland City are being handed the New Zealand Football Championship on a plate.

Deserved 4-1 come-from-behind winners over second-placed YoungHeart Manawatu at Kiwitea St on Saturday, City then had the satisfaction of watching every other team drop points in three drawn matches.

Comfortably four points clear of the pack and seemingly untouchable in the race for the top spot, City will now sit back and watch the dogfight as six teams scrap for the remaining four spots in the crucial playoffs.

Keryn Jordan again stole the show with a second hat-trick in as many weeks for Auckland City - his third three-goal performance of the season. Even this far out, he seems assured of a second golden boot.

But among the gloom for the visitors there was one bright spot.

Rejuvenated striker Cameron Banks stood out as a class act, especially in the first half.

In years past, Banks showed glimpses of something special but without turning in a complete performance. On Saturday he turned up with his full bag of tricks including a classy opening goal which stung the City faithful.

He continued to taunt the City defence and was unlucky not to have a second, after the home side had drawn level with a Jordan penalty, when Jonathan Smith cleared off the line.

Banks could not have timed it better with All Whites coach Ricki Herbert at sideline ahead of naming a 35-player squad this week. It would be no surprise if Banks had done enough to warrant consideration.

Waitakere United's frustrations continued at Newtown Park yesterday.

They were down 0-2 after half an hour with Team Wellington helping themselves to an early Dan Keat goal and doubling their lead when David Johnston pounced on a loose ball after United goalkeeper Simon Eaddy struggled with a Bryan Little cross.

Dean Storey pounced on a rebound to score from close range to get Waitakere to within a goal just before halftime.

Ten minutes into the second half the visitors locked it up at 2-2 when Craig Wylie volleyed home from just inside the penalty area from a ball played in by Storey.

Seven minutes later Stu Hogg scored a grand solo goal for a 3-2 lead.

Down to 10 men - not for the first time this season - United had to play the last 26 minutes without Ben Steward, red-carded for a challenge on Wiremu Patrick.

They survived for all but the last three minutes when Little beat Eaddy's best endeavours to snatch the equaliser.

Third-placed Canterbury lost ground when held 1-1 by Otago United at the Caledonian Ground.

Brent Fisher gave the visitors the lead just before halftime when he blasted home.

Otago, who had four players booked by Auckland referee Steve Fletcher, battled bravely and were rewarded 10 minutes from time when substitute Blair Scoullar capitalised on a comedy of errors in front of the Canterbury goal by blasting home.

In the other Saturday game, Hawkes Bay United grabbed a rare point when Jason Hayne scored a 77th minute equaliser to deny visitors Waikato FC, who led after 12 minutes through a Nathan Robertson freekick.