Soccer: Goals galore in NZ Football Championship

If it was goals you wanted it was goals you got in an all-action pre-Christmas round of the New Zealand Football Championship yesterday.

Two games produced seven goals each and another six. The other match in the NZ Community Trust-sponsored championship was decided by just one goal but that was more than enough for Waitakere United coach Steve Cain and his players, who snapped the worst run in the club's short history.

In the biggest upset of yesterday's action, Declan Edge's Waikato FC showed their win over Auckland City was no fluke as they embarrassed Team Wellington 6-0.

YoungHeart Manawatu, on the back of their come-from-behind 5-2 home win over Hawkes Bay United, retained their one-point lead over City, who also had a seven-goal thriller in edging Canterbury United 4-3.

With Canterbury, Otago and Team Wellington losing, Waitakere are back into the top five.

Ahead after 20 minutes when Stuart Hogg got a glancing header to a Craig Wylie cross, Waitakere held on for their fourth win.

But even that was not with some anxiety as Russell Lawson was denied by a superb Simon Eaddy save in the last minute.

"For a horrible minute I thought we were going to blow it again," said Cain. "It was a match we deserved to win but it needed some save to do it."

After weeks of seeing cards - and not the festive variety - flashed at his players, Cain was happy to get through a match without any.

"[Referee] Kevin Stoltencamp had a very good game," said Cain. "He has been the best we have had this season for sure."

Peter O'Leary was busier at Kiwitea St as Auckland City and Canterbury United produced another classic. Their second clash in six weeks was again decided by the odd goal.

City were well ahead on the corner count - 7-2 - in the first half. Scoring chances were more even.

Andrew Barron and Michael White showed out for the visitors while Jordan spearheaded the City effort.

The deadlock was broken in the 53rd minute when Jonathan Smith headed home a James Pritchett freekick.

Within a minute Barron equalised for the visitors when he gathered, ran, drew the defence and fired home a low shot from outside the penalty area to beat City goalkeeper Ross Nicholson.

Barron was then denied a penalty by O'Leary when bundled off the ball by Matt Cunneen.

Super-sub Paul Urlovic put City back in front when he glanced a header home from a Pritchett cross.

Pritchett was involved again 10 minutes later, providing the ball to Keryn Jordan who in turn pushed on for Chad Coombes to smack home his 76th minute goal and a 3-1 lead.

Six minutes later, and with the visitors showing signs of flagging in the heat, Jordan increased the lead in heading home a Coombes freekick.

Down by three, United showed some resolve.

They got one back in the 88th minute when Stuart Kelly converted from the spot and another three minutes into added time when Kelly beat a flat-footed defence to score.

Matt Williams gave Waikato the lead after two minutes. Nathan Robertson doubled that before halftime. Three minutes into the second spell Team Wellington were gone when Michael Gwyther made it 3-0.

A second for Williams [from the spot] and two late Colin Gardyne goals gave the home side their victory and a bah-humbug Christmas present for Mick Waitt and his players.

In Palmerston North, veteran Hawkes Bay United striker Martin Akers gave his team the second-minute lead.

Campbell Banks got Manawatu back to 1-1 on the half hour and Ian Robinson had the home side ahead for the first time 10 minutes later.

Nick Roydhouse and Banks had the NZFC leaders 4-1 ahead after 50 minutes before Sam Jenkins scored a second for the visitors. Commins Menapi completed the scoring 15 minutes from time.

The next round will be played on the weekend of January 7-8.

GO-O-A-A-A-LS

Auckland City 4 Canterbury United 3

Otago United 0 Waitakere United 1

YoungHeart Manawatu 5 Hawkes Bay United 2

Waikato FC 6 Team Wellington 0