Auckland FC ran out 2-1 winners against the Mariners, scoring all three goals on a night that will be remembered for a peach of an own goal from Callan Elliot.
Thankfully, goals from either side of Randall and Cosgrove gave Auckland the win to send the team top of the A-League, albeit with rivals Sydney FC yet to play.
Friday night under the lights and in front of the famous inflatable sauce bottles, Auckland returned to the Polytec Stadium to play the 8th placed Mariners. This was a happy hunting ground for Black Knights last season; they won 4-1 in a game that included a beautiful volley from Jake Brimmer.
Head coach Steve Corica named an unchanged 11 from the team that comprehensively beat the Nix last Saturday, meaning Lachie Brook retained his place in his favoured number 10 position. Captain Hiroki Saki returned from injury but only made the bench.
This was also something of a homecoming for defender Dan Hall, the defender played 74 games for the Mariners but missed this game last season through injury.
After almost 20 minutes, Auckland finally made its dominance count. De Vries picked up the ball wide on the left, but rather than crossing, he cut inside to beat his man and threaded a pass to Randall. The striker collected the ball and then precisely placed it beyond the keeper into the far corner of the net. The combination that All Whites fans may well get to see at this summer’s World Cup.
Out of nowhere, the Mariners equalised. A cross from the right side was met by the head of Callan Elliot. The defender tried to nudge it wide only to see the ball fly into the net. Elliot looked devastated, and despite the initial forward pass looking offside, VAR ruled it on. With zero shots on target and an XG of zero, the Mariners found themselves level and back in the game.
Fortunately, 58 minutes in Sam Cosgrove made it 2-1. The forward had been hassled and harried all game, but finally found himself unmarked to get on the end of a delightful Brook cross. His diving header means he has now scored four goals in eight games.
Five minutes after substituting Rogerson for Pijnaker, Corica decided on the triple sub. Cosgrove, Brimmer and Randall making way for May, François and Gallegos. With 15 minutes left, Corica made his final change, the glorious return of Sakai, not seen since limping off with a hamstring injury in round three.
Auckland saw out the game from there. It was a performance that probably deserved more against an opponent that offered little. But a win is a win, and the three points meant the Black Knights go top of the A-League.
Player of the Match: Louis Verstraete
Next Game: Another away game on a Friday night, Auckland FC play Western Sydney Wanderers on December 19th. 10pm KO.
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.
