West Auckland out-shoot Franklin United in high-scoring match under lights

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A frantic opening session with five goals in 18 minutes provided a thrilling midweek match under lights between West Auckland and Franklin United at Brains Park.

West Auckland eventually ran out 4-2 winners in this re-scheduled Lotto NRFL second division match.

The home side came out quickly, taking the lead after only four minutes through Conor Quinlan.

Franklin United levelled after 10 minutes when Solomon Islands’ legendary captain Henry Fa’arodo scored for the visitors.

The tit-for-tat scoring continued with West Auckland taking the lead through Haylen West after 16 minutes later.

Futsal White Stephen Ashby-Peckham replied within a minute to make it 2-2.

Main photo: Franklin United’s Ashby-Peckham. Photo: Shane Wenzlick / Phototek.

From the restart, West Auckland went forward and took the lead against through Anthony Lockton.

The sides then settled down to an arm-wrestle with neither side able to break the deadlock for more than an hour.

After turning around at 3-2, the only goal of the second half was scored by Joshua Peden from a set piece with seven minutes remaining.

The tension built and got too much for Franklin’s coach Mark Holt, sent to the dressing room in the dying minutes by referee Brandon Day after two yellow cards for dissent.

The win lifted West Auckland into third place on the table, a point behind the competition’s other new side, Ngaruawahia United.

Indications are that both promoted clubs will be among the chances when the title and promotion places are settled.

Result

West Auckland 4 (Conor Quinlan 4′, Haylen West 16′, Anthony Lockton 18′, Joshua Peden 83′)
Franklin United 2 (Henry Fa’arodo 10′, Stephen Ashby-Peckham 17′)

Standings

Thanks

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