Source: Radio New Zealand
Auckland FC’s Guillermo May scores against Melbourne City. Photosport
Auckland FC have kept the pressure on A-League men’s leaders Newcastle Jets with a stunning 3-0 home win over Melbourne City.
Logan Rogerson broke his goalscoring drought with a decisive blow to give the Aucklanders a 1-0 lead after 42 minutes, and Jesse Randall (59th minute) and Guillermo May (66th minute) followed up in the second half for a comprehensive victory.
The result narrowed the Jets’ competition lead to just one point, although the Newcastle side were playing Central Coast Mariners on Saturday night.
After a poor January, the Aucklanders have had a brilliant February, looking much more like the team won the Premiers Plate last season.
They delighted their fans with this performance, although it did come at a cost, with captain Hiroki Sakai leaving the field late in the first half with an injury to his right leg, after as series of heavy collisions.
He was replaced by Sam Cosgrove.
Rogerson had gone 16 matches without a goal this season, but he latched on to a cross from May, heading it into the back of the net.
He admitted after the match to some sleepless nights, because of the drought.
“I’m delighted to break my duck and get my first goal of the season,” he told the Sky Sports broadcast.
Randall hasn’t had such goalscoring blues and pounced to score his ninth for the season, after an error by City defender Harrison Delbridge. Randall now leads the competition in scoring.
May scored his goal, after heading in a cross from Randall.
Auckland FC host Perth Glory next Sunday.
– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
