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Waitakere United 2 YoungHeart Manawatu 0
It was payback time yesterday for the hard yards put in over the Christmas-New Year break by New Zealand Football Championship leaders Waitakere United.
The 2-0 win over nearest rivals YoungHeart Manawatu at Trusts Stadium took Michael Utting-led United back to a four-point lead. More importantly, it was a huge psychological boost ahead of this month's Oceania League matches.
Smarting from their 4-3 loss to rivals Auckland City just before the break - after leading 3-0 in a farcical encounter in which 19 cards were flashed - Waitakere coach Steve Cain and his players had to regroup.
Against Shane Rufer's Manawatu, who had scored in all 11 previous matches apart from their 0-1 loss to Waitakere in November, a United side below full strength needed to find some goal-scoring form. Neither side threatened that in the first half.
The visitors conjured a handful of half-chances but were found wanting by a combination of weak finishing and the ever-alert Utting in goal.
Benjamin Totori, certain to take the Golden Boot, was never a factor despite showing some nice touches in non-threatening areas.
After the break, Waitakere caught the defence leaden-footed and Daniel Koprivcic hit home for the lead after 55 minutes. Encouraged by good work by Mikael Munday and Graham Pearce at the back and Sam Mathews in midfield, the home side became more assured, in contrast to the weak shooting of Totori and Manawatu captain Ian Robinson.
Waitakere made certain of the points 15 minutes from time when a long ball to Jakub Sinkora was turned in to substitute Daniel Ellensohn, who beat Manawatu keeper Phil Imray with a well-stuck shot.
"We were poor today," admitted Rufer later. "We weren't good, especially when we went a goal down. It is the first time for a long time Benjamin [Totori] hasn't scored. It is always difficult to come back after a break but that's no excuse. Too many of our players had an off day."
Canterbury United climbed to third with a 4-1 win over Team Wellington, after racing to a 3-0 halftime lead. Auckland City, who have two games in hand, can climb above Canterbury on goal difference by beating Waikato FC in Hamilton today.
