Waitakere away to winning start

Waitakere United proved too strong for last year’s beaten NZFC finalists Team Wellington with a come from behind 4-2 win in Wellington today as they started their title defence in style.

 

Albeit Coach Chris Milicich might have thought otherwise when he found his side 2-0 down inside 6 minutes thanks to some sloppy defending.

 

“I was wondering if we were still on the plane, it was not the start we were after and not a habit we are accustomed to in this league. Having said that, I was never concerned as any team that challenges us to come out and score 3 times in 85 minutes to win a game had better be ready to defend well and eventually we found our way back into the contest.”

 

The match gradually turned Waitakere United’s way after Wellington’s good start and by halftime they were level, thanks to a second in two games for midfielder Paul Seaman and a penalty from Allan Pearce.

 

Once Pearce had his second early in the second, the match was while not over as a contest, it was Waitakere’s to lose. And they added a fourth to former Wellington player Ellensohn in stoppage time to end any doubts as to where the points would head.

 

Waitakere now return home to prepare for their friendly against the Phoenix in the Cuesports Foundation Challenge at Douglas Field on Saturday. Tickets are available via www.waitakereunited.co.nz with a golf day planned for the Friday and a luncheon on match day. All details are on the club website.

 

Team Wellington 2

Andy Barron 3, Pedro Garcias 6

Waitakere United 4

Paul Seaman 19, Allan Pearce 22, 51, Daniel Ellensohn 92

 

Waitakere United

Richard Gillespie, Aaron Scott, Danny Hay, Paul Seaman (Daniel Ellensohn 70), Allan Pearce, Daniel Koprivcic, Chris Bale, Neil Emblen, Jake Butler, Ian Hogg (Jonathan Perry HT), Adriano Pimenta (Kayne Vincent 70)

 

 

For further comment, visit www.waitakereunited.co.nz