Labour MP Jamie Strange, Tasman United captain Paul Ifill and Hamilton Wanderers coach Rickie Herbert shared views on Sunday's game. Photo / Supplied
Labour MP Jamie Strange, Tasman United captain Paul Ifill and Hamilton Wanderers coach Rickie Herbert shared views on Sunday's game. Photo / Supplied
Former All Whites and Wellington Phoenix's coach Ricky Herbert started his Hamilton Wanderers' campaign with a loss as Tasman United led by his former player Paul Ifill beat the home team 4-1.
It was the opening weekend of the summer season at Porritt Stadium in Hamilton, but Wanderers' faithful will still be looking for their first win of the calendar year.
It has been a season of change for the Hamilton team as Herbert took over from departing coach Mark Cossey while his son Kale has taken on the role previously filled by Birkenhead coach Paul Hobson.
Owen Combers has been promoted to the national youth league squad and featured strongly in their fixture against Tasman United. Photo / Grant Stantiall
Wanderers started the game on the attack but it did not take long for Tasman United to find their footing.
Daniel Allan for Tasman rose highest as the ball was crossed into the box and headed the ball home putting Tasman in the lead 12 minutes into the game.
Marc Evans, fresh off his goal scoring heroics for Melville United converted the equaliser minutes later. Sam O'Regan was fouled in the box awarding Wanderers a penalty which Evans dispatched.
Despite missing out on promotion to the premier league with Melville United, Flynn O'Brien was called up to the Hamilton Wanderers senior squad. Photo / Grant Stantiall
Evans became the record holder for the most goals scored in a season at Melville United last season and has found himself back in the National League over summer.
Two first half goals from Tasman winger Yousif Al-Kalisy was enough to send Wanderers back to the changing rooms with plenty to ponder.
The team had showed glimpses of excellent play but was allowing Tasman the space to operate in the midfield and dictate the game.
The second half showed both sides were still lacking full match fitness but veteran Paul Ifill still had enough in the tank to chip Wanderers goalkeeper Matt Oliver and secure a dominant win for Tasman.
Number seven Michael Built spent last season on the sidelines and is now looking to build on his winter league heroics. Photo / Grant Stantiall
Michael Built, Raheem Hunter and Bailey Webster were the standout players for the home side and combined well in the first half to create several goal scoring opportunities, but they could not find a shot on target.
Hamilton Wanderers' youth team who are the current league champions were also in action the week before securing a win against Tasman's youth side.
Last year Built coached the team to their first national title in their opening year in the league.
Jamie Woodlock will be a key figure for the Wanderers youth side after making several appearances in last year's senior squad. Photo / Grant Stantiall
