Waitakere win forgettable encounter

The most amazing statistic at halftime in this match was that neither side had scored. On another day Gareth Turnbull for the visitors might have had a hat trick and Waitakere would have had four or five.

In one amazing minute towards the end of the half, Waitakere battered the woodwork not once, not twice but three times as first Jonathan Perry, then Commins Menapi and finally Jake Butler saw their efforts rebound clear.

The second half quickly delivered what the first couldn’t when Menapi scored his sixth of the season from a corner that Danny Hay headed down into the goalmouth, the Solomon Islander reacting first to prod home.

To suggest then that the game degenerated to Canterbury’s level might be a disservice to the visitors as quite frankly neither side showed a great deal of continuity or composure, in particular when on attack.

Waitakere dominated territory but could not break down a resolute if at times struggling Canterbury defence. Without the comfort of the second goal Waitakere endured a nervous final five minutes before picking up the three points that maintain the pressure on Auckland at the top of the table and temporarily at least, moves Waitakere to the first place on goal difference.

Waitakere will look forward to their top of the table match up next Sunday against Auckland City at Douglas Field, the first time the side has played at the ground since the completion of the 4,000 seat covered grandstand.

The opposition and the venue should be enough to motivate Chris Milicich’s side after a lack lustre showing today.


Waitakere United: 1 Richard Gillespie, 2 Jonathan Perry, 6 Darren Bazeley, 8 Commins Menapi (29 Denver MacDonald 82nd), 10 Allan Pearce, 11 Neil Sykes, 13 Daniel Koprivcic, 15 Chris Bale, 17 Jake Butler,

Canterbury United: Scott Dunn, 2 Glenn Squire, 3 Andy Pitman, 4 Bill Robertson, 5 Michael Bothwell, 6 Garry McDermott (12 Jeremy Wild 84th), 9 Geoff MacIntyre, 11 Tom Lancaster (21 Sam Jasper 54th), 15 Rhodri Payne, 17 Ryan Faichnie, 23 Gareth Turnbull



Waitakere United 1

C Menapi 47th

Canterbury United 0