After a chaotic second half involving a red card and two missed penalties, Auckland FC ran out 3-1 winners thanks to goals from Brook, de Vries and the returning May.
The most highly anticipated fixture of the season kicked off under the hot sun and packed stands of Go Media Stadium.
This was physical right from the off, both teams giving and good as they got with friendships cast aside for what is now New Zealand’s fiercest sporting rivalry.
Auckland were one up inside eight minutes. Great work from Callan Elliot down the wing, saw him find Logan Rogerson. The winger hurtled to the byline and, when everyone thought he was about to square it, cut it back to the onrushing Lachie Brook, who smashed it into the net from just behind the penalty spot.
Lachie had another great chance late on. A ball over the top from Verstraete, beating the high line to send the playmaker through, and that was it for the first half.
The second half got off to a disastrous start for the Nix. James sent off for hauling down the last man, Cosgrove.
The incident took the intensity of the game to go up a notch. The Nix hit back soon after, Mr Wellington Alex Rufer smashing the ball through a sea of bodies to level the scores.
Randall thought he scored only to see it chalked off due to being off side, a goal line clearance prevents Auckland finding a second.
And then, after more than 30 games of football, Auckland were finally awarded their first-ever penalty for a VAR-reviewed foul on Cosgrove. The striker stepped up to take it, but it was well-saved by the Nix keeper.
Not to worry, just five minutes later, Auckland were awarded a second penalty in very similar circumstances, Cosgrove again the aggrieved party. It was de Vries who stepped up to take this one, and once again it was saved. This time, though the keeper could only parry it back towards the taker, and de Vries side-footed it into the net to restore Auckland’s lead.
Auckland made sure with a third goal eight minutes later. Guillermo May came on for Lachie Brook and, within three minutes, managed a yellow card and his first goal of the season. A cross from de Vries found Cosgrove at the far post, the striker nodded it down to May, who poked it in at the back post.
Gallegos replaced Brimmer, and François swapped with Randall, the winger returning after an injury absence. Auckland were in control now, the heat and the ten men resulting in a very tired Nix team.
Auckland were able to see the remaining minutes out to go 5-0 in derbies.
Player of the Match: Logan Rogerson
Attendance: 22,993
Next home game at Go Media: No games in Auckland until 2026 when we play the Newcastle Jets again, this time on New Year’s Day. Hopefully, without the on-pitch water feature. Tickets for this and all Auckland FC games can be bought here.
Favourite non-Auckland FC shirt seen in the crowd: So many great ones today but has to beGreenock Morton F.C’s tartan shirt from 1993-1995. Well worth a google.
