Waitakere win but do it late

Waitakere United is underway in the defence of their O-League crown but breathed a sigh of relief after coming from behind to defeat a gallant and much improved AS Manu Ura (Tahiti) at Fred Taylor Park today.



Described by Manager Chris Milicich as ‘ugly but we’ll take it’, this was a match that never rose to great heights and had upset written all over it when the visitors took the lead early in the second half through Hiashi Kake.



The first half was a scoreless affair with neither keeper fully tested, albeit Waitakere had the better of territory and possession. Waitakere’s rhythm was not helped by the early departure of 2007 O-League Golden Boot Commins Menapi with a hamstring strain, although it did signal the debut performance of NZFC Golden Boot Benjamin Totori from the bench.



Just as the crowd was settling in for what would surely be a more dominant Waitakere performance in the second half, up popped Kake to put home the rebound after Simon Eaddy had parried a well hit shot into the path of the delighted Tahitian striker. Waitakere rang the changes with Jason Hayne on for Jake Butler and Neil Emblen on for Daniel Koprivcic. Both players made an impact as Waitakere began to press and AS Manu Ura began the task of holding on. They did until the 75th minute and it was that man Totori who carried on where he had left off with Manawatu, scoring from a tight angle to bring the home side back in the game.



Four minutes later it was another sub scoring when Neil Emblen outstretched the visiting defence to get on the end of a 40 metre through ball, volleying his shot beyond Torohia in goal for what proved to be the winner.



Waitakere must now regroup to begin their NZFC campaign at home on Saturday when visitors Team Wellington come to town. There is no question of the need for an improved performance if they are to pick up three points in that game. What wasn’t in question today though was the character and patience in the team to come back from a goal down with 15 minutes left on the clock, which at least pleased Milicich on a Halloween night that threatened to turn ugly.



Waitakere United 2

B Totori 75th, N Emblen 79th

AS Manu Ura 1

H Kake 48th



Waitakere United

22 Simon Eaddy, 2 Jonathan Perry, 3 Shane Pascoe, 4 Matt Cuneen, 5 Danny Hay (c), 8 Commins Menapi (9 Benjamin Totori 18th), 10 Allan Pearce, 11 Neil Sykes, 13 Daniel Koprivcic (16 Neil Emblen 55th), 15 Chris Bale, 17 Jake Butler (7 Jason Hayne 50th),

Subs not used: 1 Richard Gillespie, 6 Darren Bazeley, 14 Hoani Edwards, 20 Jason Rowley,



For further information visit www.waitakereunited.co.nz