Depleted Waitakere United missed a golden chance to go into the New Zealand Football Championship Christmas break with a handy five-point lead after being 2-2 by Hawkes Bay United at Park Island yesterday.
Missed chances early and late in the game cost Waitakere the win which would have stretched their
lead over long-time rivals Auckland City.
Canterbury United moved into fourth place and play-off contention with their 3-1 away win over Otago in the southern derby at Carisbrook while at Newtown Park 10-man Team Wellington picked up their second win in six outings, getting home 2-1 over Waikato FC.
Waitakere, without regulars Aaron Scott (getting married), Jeremy Christie (suspended), player/coach Neil Emblen (injured) and Benjamin Totori (concussion) and losing Jason Rowley inside 15 minutes, turned to their youngsters.
For the most part they turned in accomplished efforts.
In replacing injured Rowley after 14 minutes, Luke Adams, at 15, became the youngest to play in the NZFC. It was at the same age Rory Fallon made his debut for North Shore United in the old national league.
He joined Tim Myers, Tom Edwards (in his first start for Waitakere), Zane Sole and Dakota Lucas in a youthful United line-up.
Leon Birnie gave the Bay the lead after nine minutes when Rowley, beaten by Joachim Rande, conceded the penalty and picked up a yellow card. He left the field five minutes later after Birnie had slotted the penalty.
Allan Pearce, who had fluffed two early chances, pulled Waitakere back to 1-1 after 24 minutes with a shot in off the far post.
Neil Sykes needed only four minutes to put the visitors ahead when he claimed the final touch in a goalmouth scramble.
They held that advantage until the 64th minute when a Matt Hastings corner was nodded in by Birnie.
The goal was awarded by referee Michael Hester - who also booked four Hawkes Bay and two Waitakere players - despite a vehement protest from Waitakere goalkeeper Danny Robinson, who claimed the ball had not crossed the line.
Team Wellington scored first and last at Newtown Park to deny Waikato FC their second win of the season.
Rodney Brown opened the scoring for the home side after 21 minutes.
Disaster struck 17 minutes later when Adam Birch brought down Joe Simpkins to hand the visitors a penalty and earn himself an early trip to the showers.
Dan Peat slotted from the spot to raise Waikato hopes. It was the only time in-form Wellington goalkeeper James Bannatyne was beaten.
The points, perhaps against the run of play, were finally claimed by Wellington when Trent Watson headed home an 80th-minute corner.
After a delayed start in the south, Russell Kamo gave Canterbury their 20th minute lead. Tom Lancaster doubled their advantage 12 minutes later but had that cut back to one goal a minute later when Dan Ede scored.
The visitors kept plugging away and three minutes before the break were duly rewarded when Aaron Clapham scored for 3-1.
There was no second half scoring as Canterbury, who have looked better than useful at times this season, held on for their second win in five outings. They have conceded just three goals.
With their scheduled home game against YoungHeart Manawatu postponed - some players have struggled to find return flights after their bold Fifa Club World Cup showing - defending champions Auckland City now have two catch-up games to play.
The NZFC resumes on January 9 when Manawatu host Otago.
The following day City are at home to Hawkes Bay, Waitakere travel to play Waikato and Canterbury are at home to Wellington.
Wellington goalkeeper James Bannantyne. Photo / Dean Purcell
Depleted Waitakere United missed a golden chance to go into the New Zealand Football Championship Christmas break with a handy five-point lead after being 2-2 by Hawkes Bay United at Park Island yesterday.
Missed chances early and late in the game cost Waitakere the win which would have stretched their
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