Bevan brace breaks Hawke's Bay

Words: ACFC Media

Sunday 19 January 2020

Picture: Phototek

AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Auckland City FC's unbeaten record at home to Hawke's Bay United stretched to 19 games after the Navy Blues came from behind to beat them 4-2 at Kiwitea Street today.

Hawke's Bay United came into the game off back-to-back defeats to Hamilton Wanderers and Team Wellington but there was no sign of nerves as Chris Greatholder's team set about their work diligently.

They took a shock lead after the half hour mark when an unmarked Bill Robertson thundered home a Liam Schofield corner kick at the near post to hand the visitors the ideal platform.

Parker then pulled off top quality save when he tipped a Bevan shot over the crossbar from close range that shook Auckland City FC out of the traps with Hawke's Bay's goal met with a quick fire response.

The tide turned when Clayton Lewis' freekick ricocheted off an arm which allowed Myer Bevan to step up and slot home his 11th goal of the season with a neatly taken spot kick but the damage didn't end there.

Within a minute the Navy Blues were in front when skipper Angel Berlanga stabbed home from close range amid chaotic Hawke's Bay defending to turn the game on it's head.

Berlanga was almost in on the scoring just before the break when a Lewis' corner flashed across the face of Ruben Parker's far post with the Navy Blues defender mere centimetres away from making it a personal brace.

As the half drew to a close the Navy Blues passed up two more handy opportunities to extend their advantage when Dylan Manickum and Jordan Vale had shots blocked by last ditch defence with the Bay goal at their mercy.

Hawke's Bay United responded positively after the break when Angus Kilkolly, signed during the January transfer window from Team Wellington, capitalised on some sloppy defending to make it 2-2.

The momentum had shifted and Ahinga Selemani saw one shot saved by the returning Enaut Zubikarai and another by Robertson from the resulting corner whizz by the Navy Blues far post.

Any anxiety from the home team was quickly relieved when Bevan sped clear of the visitor's defence before drawing Parker and slamming an unstoppable finish into an empty net.

With the game hanging in the balance, Jose Figueira handed Albert Riera his first appearance in almost a year - and his 125th for the club - when he replaced Mario Ilich midway through the second half.

The weird nature of this match was summed up in one moment when a Schofield corner hit the inside of Zubikarai's far post only to bounce into the arms of the Spanish goalkeeper as he lay on the deck.

The match was put beyond Bay's reach when Cam Howieson lashed a powerful shot past Parker in the final minute to give the scoreline a comfortable look.

Elsewhere, Tasman United gave their playoff hopes a boost when they thrashed Southern United 5-0 at Blenheim on Saturday
in the South Island derby.

In other action, defending champions Eastern Suburbs swept Canterbury United aside 6-1 in Christchurch, Waitakere United overcame Wellington Phoenix 4-3 in the capital and in a surprise turn, Hamilton Wanderers kept up their resurgence under Kale Herbert when they beat Team Wellington 1-0 at Porritt Stadium.

Auckland City FC's next game sees the premiership title race pressure ramp up when the Navy Blues travel to the capital to take on Team Wellington at David Farrington Park on Sunday 26 January 2020.

The match kicks off 4.00pm NZST and is live on Sky Sport.

Ends

Match Results
ISPS Handa Premiership
Sunday 19 January 2020
Auckland City FC 4 (Myer BEVAN 37'-pen, 65', Angel BERLANGA 38')
Hawke's Bay United 2 (Bill ROBERTSON 34', Angus KILKOLLY 54')
HT: 1-2.

AC: 1. Enaut ZUBIKARAI (GK), 2. Mario ILICH (8. Albert RIERA 71'), 3. Adam MITCHELL, 4. Mario BILEN, 5. Angel BERLANGA (c), 7. Cam HOWIESON, 9. Myer BEVAN, 10. Dylan MANICKUM, 14. Jordan VALE, 22. Clayton LEWIS (20. Logan ROGERSON 73'), 23. Alfie ROGERS.

SUBS NOT USED: 24. Cam BROWN (GK), 6. Brian KALTAK, 21. Maro BONSU-MARO.

COACH: Jose FIGUEIRA.

Other results:

Saturday 18 January 2020
Tasman United 5-0 Southern United

Sunday 19 January 2020
Canterbury United 1-6 Eastern Suburbs AFC
Hamilton Wanderers 1-0 Team Wellington
Wellington Phoenix 3-4 Waitakere United

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