Auckland FC, Sth Island United OFC League wins
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Vital wins for the New Zealand sides in the latest round of OFC Pro League football, this time in Honiara.
Substitute Aston Burns scored a late winner and Oscar Mason produced a stoppage-time penalty save to give Auckland FC a 1-0 victory over the Solomon Kings FC.
The only team to beat Auckland FC this season, Solomon Kings were backed by thousands of noisy and passionate fans inside the National Stadium, keen to see the country's first-ever professional football team.
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The early stages were dominated by the home team, with the volume levels rising considerably any time Ben Cahn's side picked up possession inside the Auckland FC half.
Despite this, it was the New Zealanders with the first shot on goal. Matt Ellis picking up the ball on the right-hand side and flashing an effort just wide of Junior Petua's far post.
At the other end, Japanese playmaker Sota Higashide produced a similar effort, with his cross-shot arrowing wide of Oscar Mason's goal.
The league leaders stepped up their game in the second-half but clear cut chances remained at a premium.
Emiliano Tade went close just over five minutes after the break, when his free-kick from the right floated over everyone, including 'keeper Petua, only to thud back off the crossbar.
Isa Prins was the next to have a sight of goal. The midfielder rising highest to glance a header goalward, but his effort lacked pace and direction, unable to force a save from Petua.
Solomon Kings were struggling to replicate their first half confidence but did slowly work their way back into the contest.
William Komasi drilled a wonderful effort just wide from nearly 30 yards, whilst Don Keana brought out a smart save from Oscar Mason when firing in at the near post.
Auckland however continued to look the more threatening when they did get into attacking positions and had the decisive say late on.
Aston Burns, who had been brought off the bench by Luke Casserly to add some firepower, did just that with minutes remaining.
The forward picking the ball up on the right-wing and driving at the Solomon Kings defence, gliding with ease past three players before prodding his effort underneath Petua to break the deadlock.
There would be late drama to threaten their lead however. Referee David Yareboinen awarding a penalty in the tenth minute of stoppage time, throwing the home side a lifeline.
Sota Higashide stepped up to take, but was denied by a stunning save by Mason, throwing himself to his left and tipping the ball around the post, ensuring the three points for the Kiwis.
Earlier the South Island United kicked off Round 4 with a valuable 4-1 win over PNG Hekari FC, thanks to a Rovu Boyers hat-trick.
Thunderstorms had caused a delay to kick off, but standing water on the pitch was able to be cleared and the game finally got underway just over an hour behind schedule.
Both sides certainly made up for the wait, with the first half flying by in a blur of chances, goals and red cards.
Only five minutes were on the clock when PNG Hekari FC took the lead. Rex Naime found captain Ati Kepo down the right-hand side and continued his run, eventually latching onto Kepo's cut back and drilling the ball low past Steven Van Dijk.
The lead lasted just over ten minutes however, when Solomon Islander Rovu Boyers delighted the home crowd with the equaliser. The ball was initially played into David Yoo, who laid off to Boyers and the midfielder placed his effort past Dave Tomare and in off the post.
Minutes later and the first red card of the match was brandished by referee Cory Mills. South Island United's Haris Zeb was played through, catching out a high PNG Hekari defensive line, only to be brought down by Nelson Karaun, denying a goal scoring opportunity.
Rob Sherman's side wasted little time in taking full advantage. A free-kick from the right-hand side by Yoo caused panic in the box, with Lekima Gonerau's attempt at a clearance only succeeding in deflecting the ball in off the post with Tomare helpless.
Ati Kepo made his team's challenge even tougher when he picked up a second yellow card and was dismissed - the forward's third red card of the season.
PNG Hekari offered brave resistance in the second period, despite their two man deficit and did force Van Dijk into a save, with the goalkeeper awkwardly punching away a well-hit shot from Kasum Gabriel.
Ryan Feutz, who had been having a quiet afternoon, had a good chance to add another for his side but headed straight at Dave Tomare.
It took until after the hour mark for South Island United to finally make their advantage count. Rovu Boyers grabbing his second with a close-range finish following a good low cross from the right by Ry McLeod.
The Solomon Islander would cap off a perfect day with ten minutes left, completing his hat-trick with another finish from inside the area. Substitute goalkeeper Nabo Pongi couldn't hold onto Lewis Partridge's cross and Boyers was on hand to secure a hat-trick, hammering the ball high into the net.
The win gives the New Zealanders the perfect start to Round 4 and consolidates their position in the top four.
South Island United: 4 (Rovu BOYERS 16' 65', 80', Own Goal 26')
PNG Hekari FC: 1 (Rex NAIME 5')
HT: 2-1
Solomon Kings FC: 0
Auckland FC: 1 (Aston BURNS 87')
HT: 0-0
