Narrow win for City

Photo: SHANE WENZLICK

PUSH AND SHOVE: Auckland City’s Daniel Koprivcic, right, tangles with Team Wellington’s Chris Davies for the ball during their NZFC match at Newtown Park on Saturday.

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Narrow victories on the road for reigning New Zealand Football Championship title-holders Auckland City and archrivals Waitakere United have added some spice to their upcoming clash this weekend.

A Matt Williams goal five minutes before the interval saw City clinch a 1-0 victory over Team Wellington at Newtown Park.

The winning margin for the visitors could have been greater had the craft and guile added by substitute Grant Young been properly exploited by his team-mates in difficult playing conditions.

Meanwhile, Roy Krishna’s solo strike three minutes after half-time at Memorial Park saw Waitakere home against Youngheart Manawatu.

This Sunday’s third round sees Auckland and Waitakere clash at Kiwitea St from 2pm, with both sides already occupying the top two places on the table.

Both teams are yet to concede a goal in early season league action.

The match marks the 24th fixture between the teams in their short history, and the first of two in six days – they clash again in O-League action on the last Saturday in the month.

Meanwhile, in National Women’s League action, reigning champions Auckland entertain Waikato-Bay of Plenty at Saint Kentigern College from 1pm.

Auckland will look forward to the return of a number of their stars who have been on Football Ferns duty this weekend.

Anna Green, Kristy Hill, Maia Jackman, Annalie Longo, and Kirsty Yallop were all part of New Zealand’s starting line-up in their 2-1 loss to Japan in Saitama City on Saturday.

- © Fairfax NZ News