The carnival atmosphere returned to Go Media Stadium; with a Ferris Wheel, a fun house, and three goals keeping fans entertained.
Auckland scored first after 26 minutes. Sam Cosgrove doing exactly what he was brought to the club for – getting on the end of a de Vries cross. Cosgrove, hauled down initially on the right side for a freekick, was then there to meet it at the far past.
The Englishman nodded it down into the net and peeled away in obvious delight. His first goal of the season and one that clearly meant a lot to him.
Auckland continued to dominate, Randall firing off several shots, looking lively and forcing the keeper to tip a goal-bound shot onto the post. So, it was against the run of play then that Adelaide scored just on the stroke of half-time. Jovanovic finding space in the box to fire off a low shot into the corner that left Woud with no chance.
Head coach Steve Corica had named an unchanged 11 following last week’s victory but was forced into action early on when captain Hiroki Sakai pulled up with what looked like a hamstring injury. Callan Elliot was on to replace him after only 14 minutes, Brimmer picking up the captain’s armband.
Rogerson came on mid-way through the second half for goal scorer Cosgrave as Auckland pushed for a second.
The goal came in the 79th minute. A cross by May was met by Randall who headed the ball against the bar. The ball bounced out and fell into the path of Verstraete, the Belgian was in the right place to stroke the ball into the bottom of the net.
Next week it is the big one, the first of three derbies, this one down in Wellington with Auckland attempting to extend their ‘lucky’ streak and go four unbeaten versus the Phoenix.
Player of the Match: Lachlan Brook
Attendance: 11,240
Next home game at Go Media: We now wait nearly three weeks for our next home game, November 23rd vs. Brisbane Roar. This is a Sunday game but with a more family friendly kick-off time of 3pm. Tickets for this and all Auckland FC games can be bought here.
Favourite shirt that wasn’t an Auckland FC shirt: The AFC puffer vest looks pretty slick. Available to buy here.
