United emphasise gulf in class between the top three and the pretenders in NZFC

Hawkes Bay started the round 13 NZFC match in a positive frame of mind, lining up with what appeared to be a 3-5-2 formation, a far cry from the defensive mindset of most teams visiting Fred Taylor Park this season. Coach Jonathan Gould was to rue such an aggressive approach though as his side headed home with a football lesson under their belts.



The first real opportunity of the game came via the head of Neil Sykes in the 10th minute. An early cross from the right wing found Sykes at full stretch at the far post, his header just clearing the cross bar with O’Brien watching in the Hawkes Bay goal.



Referee Matt Conger was the first casualty of the day, pulling up lame after just ten minutes to be replaced by fourth official Nick Waldron.



The first goal of the game followed soon after and it was worth the price of admission and then some. Golden boot leader Benji Totori received the ball 30 metres out from goal with four defenders between him and the Hawkes Bay goal. With a drop of the shoulder and his trademark acceleration Totori was past them and calmly slotted home beyond O’Brien’s dive for a contender for goal of the season.



That lead was doubled and not against the run of play in the 34th minute when Allan Pearce scored from the penalty spot, albeit it took two attempts before the scoreboard attendants could get to work.



A superb cross from the right wing side from Chris Bale was destined for the head of Pearce when he was unceremoniously pushed in the back for one of the more clear cut spot kick decisions you will see. Pearce confidently smashed home the second attempt after his first had been ruled out due to Benji Totori encroaching into the penalty area.



The goal and their inability to deal with the pace of Totori was clearly frustrating Hawkes Bay with appeals to the referee becoming more vociferous and desperate as halftime approached.



Frustration turned to the threat of embarrassment in the 44th minute when an inch perfect ball from Paul Seaman set Totori clear down the right. With one to beat, he was always going to take the defender on and did so with his trademark blistering pace before delivering a great ball in for Allan Pearce to reach at full speed to blast home from close range.



The only blight on an otherwise hugely impressive first half effort was an injury time booking for Totori – for something that clearly occurred off the ball but within either the eyesight or earshot of the referee.



If the earlier goals were class, Totori was a touch away from a miracle when five minutes into the second half he tuned on the touch line 60 metres away from goal. Hawkes Bay backed off and allowed the quickest player in the league to run at them and past them, all but a quickly retreating Jonathan Taylor whose touch was the last thing between Totori and 30 metres of unmanned territory and Mitch O’Brien in the Hawkes Bay goal.



It was Totori again in the 63rd minute who drew a great save from O’Brien after another Paul Seaman pass freed Koprivcic on the right, his cross found Totori but his shot was brilliantly turned away by O’Brien.



From the next phase Neil Sykes went close but the home fans didn’t have to wait long with Danko Koprivcic blasting home from 15 metres after Hawkes Bay failed to clear the corner. The threat of embarrassment was now real with Hawkes Bay simply outclassed in all facets of the game.



That was driven home when centre back and skipper Danny Hay appeared on the edge of the visitors penalty area, beat one player and then drew the foul from Jonathan Taylor for another obvious penalty. Alan Pearce drove home despite a great effort from O’Brien for his third and Waitakere United’s fifth.



The only contest the visitors won today was the foul language one with Chris Davies ‘effing and blinding’ his way round the pitch, somehow avoiding a card from either referee despite each frustrated volley echoing clearly into the stands.



The comprehensive victory is a great fillip for the side as they head away to Tahiti to play As Manu Ura in the O-League and for now at least, moves them back to the top of the NZFC table with Auckland City due to play on Sunday.



The goals also move Totori to ten and Pearce to a clear second place with nine in the golden boot race. The only concern for Head Coach Chris Milicich was the forced withdrawal of midfielder Neil Sykes with ice immediately applied to the hamstring, leaving his side down to ten for the final 7 minutes.



Waitakere United 5

B Totori 14th, A Pearce 34th (pen), 44th, 71st (pen) D Koprivcic 64th

Hawkes Bay United 0



Waitakere United: 22 GK Simon Eaddy, 2 Jonathan Perry, 5 Danny Hay (6 Darren Bazeley 79th), 9 Benjamin Totori, 10 Allan Pearce, 11 Neil Sykes, 13 Daniel Koprivcic (7 Jason Hayne 65th), 15 Chris Bale, 16 Neil Emblen, 21 Jason Rowley, 33 Paul Seaman (17 Jake Butler 73rd),