KEY POINTS:
Waitakere United and arch-rivals Auckland City will square-off on Saturday in a table-topper which could break the logjam at the top of the New Zealand Football Championship table.
It has to be hoped those who appoint the officials for this key Trusts Stadium battle get it right.
In
the weekend double-header, both games in Auckland left players and coaches frustrated by officials who appeared hellbent on simply increasing New Zealand Football coffers.
Flashing 15 yellow cards and one red would suggest Mike Hester and Nick Waldron were witnessing something close to all-out warfare. That was never the case and they, their hesitant linesmen and an over-zealous fourth official need to look at their performances.
No surprise Waitakere coach Chris Milicich declined to comment after his team's 0-0 draw with Hawkes Bay at Trusts Stadium yesterday but he should have lambasted his midfielder Paul Seaman who, senselessly, was in the showers inside 10 minutes after a second yellow card.
"It's amazing that even with 10 men we were the better team for 90 minutes," said Milicich who has watched his team drop points twice at home (they also drew 2-2 with Canterbury) in games in which Waldron has been the man in the middle.
Hawkes Bay coach Jonathan Gould happily accepted "a point away" but said he did not think his team had played well in failing to exploit the advantage they had.
"We never had a patch when I felt we could score," said Gould. "We did not force their goalkeeper to make a save."
It was the first time this season both teams had failed to score.
For a long period in Saturday's game it was much of the same. Auckland City failed to build on their early lead after Matt Friel had pounced on a loose ball. It was not until Keryn Jordan hit home from outside the penalty area with six minutes to play they made it safe. An own goal, steered past his goalkeeper by Craig Wylie a minute into added time, completed the scoring.
YoungHeart Manawatu also finished a player short after Pablo Yackson was sent off as Team Wellington came back from 2-0 down at halftime to win 3-2 at Newtown Park.
Luis Corrales scored twice and Adam Birch from the penalty spot as the home team replied to first-half goals from Adam Birch and Jason Hayne for visiting Manawatu.
Aaron Burgess scored in both halves as Otago held on top beat Canterbury United 2-1 away in a game punctuated by a spectacular electrical storm after 10 minutes.