Wanderers reach the top as Auckland City win thanks to a late goal in the Premiership

The third matchweek of 2020-21 ISPS Handa Men’s Premiership was contested this weekend in New Zealand, and it was a perfect round for Hamilton Wanderers, as they defeated their opponents to reach the top of the table.

In the first match of the weekend, Eastern Suburbs smashed Wellington Phoenix Reserves by 4-0 at Fraser Park. The final score was not a bigger win for the Lilywhites because goalkeeper Alex Paulsen made important saves, including a penalty defense that denied Adam Thurston’s hat-trick.

Waitakere United received Team Wellington at Seddon Fields. Portuguese forward João Moreira opened the scoreboard for the visitors while Luke Searle equalized. Team Wellington took the lead again with a penalty kick netted by Hamish Watson. However, Waitakere did not give up as Joshua Redfearn equalized the match in the stoppage time to steal a point from their opponents.

Current league champions Auckland City received Hawke’s Bay United at Freyberg Field. Before the match, striker Emiliano Tade, who is currently injured, came to the field on crutches carrying an Argentina National Team’s jersey. He placed the jersey in the center circle while everyone paid tribute to Diego Maradona with one minute of silence.

Back to the game, Hawke’s Bay United opened the scoreboard with a nice goal scored by youngster Jesse Randall. This match marked Mohammed Awad’s official debut for Auckland City. He came from the bench in the 60th minute to replace Albert Riera.

The Navy Blues were facing difficulties to find the net, but everything changed in the 76th minute, when Cameron Howieson equalized from the penalty spot. The match was heading towards the end when Brian Kaltak steals a ball and starts a counter attack. He passed the ball to Dylan Manickum, who scored the winning goal for Auckland City in the stoppage time.

Hamilton Wanderers travelled to the Southern Island to face Canterbury United at English Park in Christchurch. With goals scored by Derek Tieku, Tommy Semmy and Jordan Lamb, Wanderers defeated their opponents by 3-2 to go back home with an important victory that placed them on top of the table with nine points in three matches.

Four more matches are going to be contested next week, including an exciting clash between Auckland City and Team Wellington. You can check the current ISPS Handa Men’s Premiership standings, results and top scorers by clicking here.