WaiBOP United has been defeated 3-1 by hot favourites Auckland City in their latest ASB Premiership match. Maksim Manko rifled home a second minute stunner, while Auckland scored deep into added time at the end of each half and also from a disputed penalty.
WaiBOP United head coach, Peter Smith, wasn’t too despondent after the match. “We came here to compete and to play our sort of football and I thought for most of the match we managed that,” he said after the match. “Maksim’s goal was just about the perfect way for us to start and it gave us something to hold onto. We did that for most of the first half.”
Smith was a little disappointed with the way Auckland City’s goals came about. “Krishna’s equaliser was a good lesson for us,” he said. “We just can’t switch off against good players. We gave him too much space on the edge of the box and he showed everyone what he could do. I was also disappointed with the penalty but it was what it was and we just have to deal with it. I feel sorry for the players, though. The third from Browne was a superb strike. Great technique from a young player.”
WaiBOP’s thoughts now turn to their next match, which is a home fixture against Hawke’s Bay United. “We have to take the positives from this match and look to transfer them into points at home next week,” said Smith. “Bay will be up for it after their win yesterday and we need to bounce back so I expect an open encounter.”
WaiBOP United hosts Hawke’s Bay United at John Kerkhof Park, Cambridge on Saturday November 23. Kick-off is at 5pm.
