YoungHeart off to flying start

The Dominion Post

GOAL: Seule Soromon is hugged by Campbell Banks after scoring one of the four he netted for YoungHeart Manawatu yesterday.

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A quartet of goals by new striker Seule Soromon announced YoungHeart Manawatu on to the New Zealand Football Championship stage for this season.

YoungHeart made light work of Team Wellington at Newtown Park yesterday, winning 4-0 as they reversed a pre-season loss to the men from the capital.

Soromon was the star of the show, the former Hawke's Bay United forward netting a second-half hat-trick after YoungHeart led 1-0 at the split.

Inconsistent defending allowed Soromon time on the ball, and he finished with deadly accuracy.

He could've had five, but had a shot cleared off the line by Wellington defender Chris Davies in the 82nd minute.

YoungHeart Manawatu coach Bob Sova wasn't getting ahead of himself after the game.

"It's all right – just a win, really," he deadpanned.

"If you said before the game [we'd win 4-0], I'd be pretty rapt. I'm not trying to get too carried away. It's just one game.

"It's pleasing, but we've got a few things we need to work on."

YoungHeart let themselves down at times when they too frequently gave away possession. Sova said he thought they sat back when they went four goals up, and he wanted greater intensity in the future.

A lack of pre-season buildup was one of the reasons they turned the ball over so often, Sova said.

When the combinations have more time to gel on the park, they will improve and tighten up those leaks.

For YoungHeart, Campbell Banks provided great service for Soromon and had a hand in three of his goals, which left Sova smiling. "[Soromon] and Banksy are a good combination, so that was quite pleasing."

YoungHeart goalkeeper Ross Nicholson made some sharp saves, including a fiery shot from former All White Andy Barron.

Raf de Gregorio recovered from an adductor injury to come off the bench late in the game.

As of last night there were no injuries to speak of in the side from the game, just general tightness.

YoungHeart have a week off before hosting Waitakere United on November 15 at Memorial Park.Sova said it wasn't ideal to have a week off after starting so well but the squad would train during the weekend instead.

"Especially when you win, you want to get on a roll. It is frustrating."

In other results, Otago and Auckland drew 0-all at Carisbrook, Waikato beat Hawke's Bay 4-2 in Hamilton, and Waitakere United dealt Canterbury a 1-0 loss.

Manawatu 4 (Seule Soromon 4) Team Wellington 0. HT 1-0.

- © Fairfax NZ News