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KEY POINTS:
Goalkeeper James Bannatyne scored a goal directly from a free-kick taken inside his own half yesterday to secure a 3-1 win over Canterbury and push his side closer to the NZFC finals play-offs.
The former All White, called in midweek as emergency injury cover by Team Wellington, struck the ball in the 89th minute from 15m inside his own half. The bouncing ball eluded all defenders and Canterbury goalkeeper Michael O'Keefe to make the game safe and wrap up all three points.
This week, Hawkes Bay United have the chance to get the jump on the field in the crucial last round of the New Zealand Football Championship on Sunday. Travel arrangements mean the Bay's home game against Otago United starts an hour ahead of the rest.
A win for Jonathan Gould's side, and given their handy plus-five differential, could catapult them as high as second on the table and give them the early advantage for one of the remaining three play-off spots.
Like Waikato FC, Hawkes Bay had the catch-up weekend off, but Otago were left to despair after coming from a goal down to lead already confirmed championship winners Waitakere United 2-1 before finishing the game with nine players and losing 3-2.
A late Benjamin Totori goal sealed Waitakere's victory over an Otago side who earlier in the week had their coach, Terry Phelan, banned from taking any part, then had Terry Jackson sent off for a sliding tackle and captain Andy Coburn marched for throwing an errant elbow in a match in which both sides converted a penalty.
Roy Krishna gave Waitakere the 10th-minute lead but a 45th-minute Burgess penalty had the home side level at the break. A second Aaron Burgess goal three minutes after the restart put Otago 2-1 ahead until the 71st minute, when Allan Pearce slotted a penalty after Totori had been tripped.
A minute from time Totori sealed Waitakere's 10th win of the season.
Team Wellington, with the injection of surprise bench-warmers Peter Halstead and Bryan Little at halftime, also stormed home to beat Canterbury United 3-1 after Michael Fifii had given the Newtown Park visitors their 1-0 halftime lead.
Adam Birch got the home side back to 1-1 with his 54th-minute spot kick. Luis Corrales put Wellington ahead in the 76th minute and the victory was sealed by Ballantyne freak strike.
In Saturday's action, YoungHeart Manawatu and Auckland City played out a tame 0-0 draw, with the point both teams took keeping them locked in second place and well-positioned to make the play-offs.
