It’s an all-Auckland affair at the pointy end of the National Youth League table with the top three spots all being held by teams from the City of Sails after the latest bout of action.

Defending champions Auckland City were held to their third successive draw but managed to retain first place on goal difference over cross-town rivals Waitakere United while fellow Aucklanders Eastern Suburbs are a point further back.

Suburbs were able to edge their way up to third after earning a 4-3 victory over fourth-placed Team Wellington at home, Arzan Todywalla, Marko Stamenic and Jayden Bos all finding the net before an own goal provided their fourth. Those efforts put the hosts four goals up but Wellington then flipped the match on its head, nearly pulling off an amazing comeback after goals from Seth Ward, Jesse Randall and Oliver Stanish.

The other side from the capital had more luck, the Phoenix taking a point from Auckland City in a 1-1 draw. Thomas Drillien opened the scoring for the visiting City early in the second half but Nathan Simes soon replied as the spoils were shared.

That was far from the case in Napier, where Waitakere went on the goal rampage to defeat Hawke’s Bay United by the remarkable scoreline of 8-2. Troy Christophers and Jake Mechell both struck doubles for the victors while Aashray Jayapuram, Ryan Verney and Tafara Chawira also got on the scoresheet. The Bay responded twice through Jordan Lamb and Harry Mason but weren’t able to keep up with Waitakere’s relentless net-bulging.

There were also plenty of goals in Dunedin as Southern United and Tasman United fought out a five-goal thriller in a South Island derby. Tasman had taken an early advantage with goals to Konan Hey and Benjamin Stanley but Southern then launched a stunning second-half comeback to win 3-2, thanks to strikes from Adam Hewson, Liam MacDevitt and Jonny Woodall.

Hamilton Wanderers also scored three times but were able to keep a clean sheet in their 3-0 success over Canterbury United in Christchurch, Josh Clarkin opening the scoring before a brace from Aaron Bayliss.

The National Youth League returns with another full round this coming weekend, for the table and other information please click here

National Youth League Match Week Six Results

Hawke’s Bay United 2 (Jordan Lamb 7’, Harry Mason 34’)
Waitakere United 8 (Ben Gallagher 4’, Troy Christophers 10’, 38’, Jake Mechell 31’, 52’, Aashray Jayapuram 69’, Ryan Verney 73’, Tafara Chawira 78’)
HT: 2-4

Wellington Phoenix 1 (Nathan Simes 68’)
Auckland City 1 (Thomas Drillien 50’)
HT: 0-0

Southern United 3 (Adam Hewson 54’, Liam MacDevitt 68’, Jonny Woodall 71’)
Tasman United 2 (Konan Hey 9’, Benjamin Stanley 15’)
HT: 0-2

Canterbury United 0
Hamilton Wanderers 3 (Josh Clarkin 16’, Aaron Bayliss 26’, 53’)
HT: 0-2

Eastern Suburbs 4 (Arzan Todywalla 7’, Marko Stamenic 28’, Jayden Bos 38’, own goal 54’)
Team Wellington 3 (Seth Ward 61’, Jesse Randall 78’, Oliver Stanish 86’)
HT: 3-0

Article added: Monday 26 November 2018