City back on top

A stunning 4-0 defeat of previous leaders Waitakere United by Canterbury United has allowed reigning New Zealand Football Championship title-holders Auckland City to reclaim the competition's top spot.

The Cantabrians, themselves victims of a drubbing by the same scoreline a week ago, caught an under-strength Waitakere on the hop, while City were too good for Otago, coming away with a 5-0 win.

The huge win for Auckland, along with Waitakere's heavy loss, wiped out any advantage the west Aucklanders had previously enjoyed in terms of goal difference.

But it wasn't all plain sailing for City, with all the scoring coming in the second half.

The reigning champions had enjoyed the better of the first spell without converting any of their numerous chances.

However once Matt Williams struck the opening goal seven minutes after half-time, Otago were always going to struggle.

Their resistance was further sapped by the unforgiving humidity at City's home base Kiwitea St.

Four goals in the final 15 minutes was the outcome of this combination of factors, with Daniel Koprivcic, Grant Young, Paul Urlovic - from the penalty spot - and Ivan Vicelich all chiming in to fire City back to the NZFC lead.

The reigning champions have two games in hand, a vastly superior goal difference to Waitakere, and a four-point advantage over third-placed Team Wellington, who they host at Kiwitea St on Sunday from 2pm.

- © Fairfax NZ News