Soccer: Pearce leads charge in goal rush

Waitakere United's Allan Pearce celebrates a goal against Team Wellington. Photo / Richard Robinson.

Now, with the ASB Premiership and with Allan Pearce flying that flag, there is some hope a "local lad" might break through and end the domination of foreign-born players. With seven goals for Waitakere in their first eight, of 14, games in the regular season, Pearce sits atop the table but Serbian-born Milos Nikolic (Waikato FC) and Moroccan national Hicham Kamri (Team Wellington) are only a goal behind.

Should one or other get up to claim the honour, they would join South Africans Grant Young (2005), Keryn Jordan (2006), Solomon Islander Benjamin Totori (2007), Scot Graham Little (2008), Costa Rican Luis Corrales (2009) and Vanuatu's Seule Soromon (2010) as the league's top goalscorer.

Pearce is one of only six New Zealanders to finish a season in the top three after scoring 11 goals in the 2007-08 season. Ahead of yet another of the always keenly awaited clashes with perennial rivals Auckland City on Sunday, Pearce admits his state of mind definitely plays a part in his approach - and the results. "I play better when I'm happy and that definitely is the case this season," said Pearce, 27.

"We are having a better season than we had last year. There is a bit more stability and I have a better understanding of my role. Our passing game is better.

"As good a player as he was for us, Benji [Totori] did not really pass the ball. This year there is more passing and we have two wide and two central players who can all inter-change. It is a little bit like the way Brazil play and has given us more goal opportunities."

Waitakere lead the goal count at an average of almost three a game. Pearce also relishes the chance to play with the mercurial Roy Krishna. "Roy and I have formed a good partnership. We understand how each other play."

Pearce also acknowledges the part played by right back Aaron Scott, who also plays at pace. "Aaron has been outstanding. Because of that I have not had to do too much defensively, which obviously helps my attacking game."

Yet there was a time when Pearce was pretty dejected with the direction his career was headed. After achieving his long-time goal of playing for the All Whites, his confidence took a hit.

"Playing for my country was definitely my goal but one game was not all I had hoped for." That game, a World Cup qualifier against New Caledonia in September 2008, was hardly a roaring success.

"It was a game played in blistering heat and I had to play on the left, which was not my best position," said Pearce. "My confidence took a bit of a hit and the next season I was hampered by a fractured bone in my foot."

Pearce also put his lack of enthusiasm down to a change of coaches.

"Sometimes I find the chopping and changing of coaches difficult to deal with as I struggle to understand my role. At the start of last season I was a bit unsure of my role. Mentally, I was not right."

It has been different this season, Pearce admits. "It is a cliché, but they are a great bunch of lads.

"It is a joy to go to training. It is good fun, there is a bit of banter but we have three coaches who ensure we all get on."

Wellington-born and a member of Kevin Fallon's 1999 New Zealand Under-17 team at that World Cup, Pearce had a stint in England, playing at Barnsley and Lincoln.

Waitakere coach Neil Emblen has no doubt Pearce has been influential in his team's unbeaten start to their season.

"He has been unbelievable," said Emblen. "His mindset has changed. He is more consistent.

"When he plays in a wide midfield position he knows how to help his fullback. His set-pieces have improved, which is important with Neil Sykes and Martin Bullock out.

"Allan also has the hunger to take penalties, which is encouraging," said Emblen. "He does not always get the plaudits he deserves."