The 84th-minute screamer from Hawke’s Bay United substitute, Kahir Jones, has given visitors Hawkes Bay United a 1-0 victory in tonight’s ASB Premiership match against Loaded WaiBOP United at Owen Delany Park, Taupo.
Both sides had periods of dominance in an open, end to end encounter, that was always going to be settled by either a mistake or a moment of brilliance. That moment came for the visitors but both sides had good chances in a game in which the keepers were both busy and, and times, brilliant.
Both substitutes, Stephen Hoyle and Marc Evans, proved to be a handful after coming on, with Evans’ tireless running creating Loaded WaiBOP United’s best opportunity for Federico Marquez, who had his shot tipped wide by Hawke’s bay custodian, Josh Hill.
At the other end, Zac Speedy and his back four was kept busy by the impressive work rate of Hamish Watson and Sam Mason-Smith.
Hawke’s Bay United now move level on points with ASB Premiership leaders, Auckland City, while Loaded WaiBOP United stay in the mid-table log-jam.
Loaded WaiBOP United 0-1 Hawke’s Bay United
WB: none.
HB: Kahir Jones 84′.
Loaded WaiBOP United: Zac Speedy; Scott Hilliar, Adam Mitchell, Adam Luque, Finn Cochran; Alexis Varela, Mario Ilich (Xavie Pratt 85′); Wade Molony, Federico Marquez, Mark Jones (Marc Evans 66′); Maksim Manko (Stephen Hoyle 63′). Subs not used: Louie Caunter, Tom Probert.
Hawke’s Bay United: Josh Hill; Sean Liddicoat, Harrison Nash, Kohei Matsumoto, Cory Chettleburgh (Godwin Addai 90′), Tom Biss, Zane Sole, Sam Mason-Smith, Hamish Watson (Kahir Jones 75′), Martin Canales, Fabien Kurimati (Jade Mesias 86′). Subs: Cheauxyan Maukau, Jarrod Hastings (Gk).
