Soccer: Auckland teams sweat for points

By TERRY MADDAFORD

In conditions more akin to the old summer soccer league days, University Mt Wellington were the only one of four Auckland teams in the Ansett national club championship to collect maximum points in yesterday's opening to the new-look winter competition.

Their 3-2 home win over traditional slow starters Waitakere City was just reward for their determination after twice throwing away a hard-won lead.

James Patterson's match-winner was typical of the resolve shown by the home side. Beating the offside trap employed throughout by Waitakere, Patterson broke through, deftly chipped the ball over goalkeeper Bruce Plunkett, raced around and with one eye on the looming upright - the other on the gaping goal - he got the touch he needed to score.

The first goal, too - scored in the 11th minute by Stu Roberts - came when the City defence was caught pushing forward. Tim Stevens, who showed glimpses of his old brilliance before being forced off through injury just before halftime, set up Nik Viljoen in the 30th minute but Viljoen was off target with his first-time attempt.

A minute before the break, Paul Stephens - on for Stevens - broke on the right and drew goalkeeper Simon Eaddy before playing the ball neatly to Hamish Carmody, who thumped it on to the near post and watched it ricochet across the line.

Five minutes into the second spell substitute Richard Thomas ran into space out wide before crossing to Travis Medhurst, who thumped his attempt at Jason Collet, who watched in despair as the ball deflected into his own goal.

While celebrating, the Mount players seemed to forget the game goes on and allowed Stephens a free run to unleash the 52nd-minute equaliser.

Patterson's goal 10 minutes from time gave the home side the lead for the third occasion. This time there was no way back for the visitors.

At Kiwitea St, Central United, who won the 1999 North Island League and grand final play-off against Dunedin Technical, were two goals down at halftime but fought back strongly to share the points in a 2-2 draw with Nelson Suburbs.

The visitors were ahead inside a minute when Commins Menapi smacked home a penalty after he had been brought down by Jason New. In the 20th minute Menapi provided the perfect cross for Toby Kroon to score.

Six minutes after entering the game as a substitute, Central's Daniel Koprivcic provided the finishing touch after Matt Fowler had chipped a free kick on to the crossbar and watched as it rebounded into the field of play.

Three minutes from time, Koprivcic was brought down by Jason Satherley. Fowler hit home from the spot.

Metro led Christchurch City with a Graham Green goal after 22 minutes, but the home side replied with two quick Michael Sands' goals to lead at the break. Nathan Knox completed the 3-1 victory three minutes from time.

In other games, Miramar and Manawatu drew 2-2 in Wellington and Napier City Rovers scored three second-half goals to beat Dunedin Technical 4-0.