Two penalties late in the game helped Albany United come out on top in a eight-goal thriller against Metro under the Friday night lights at Phyllis Ave.
United won the game 5-3 to move into mid-table on the Lotto NRFL first division ladder.
The visitors always had the upper hand but Metro — who have won all three of their previous Friday night games at home — refused to lie down.
Albany took the lead after 22 minutes through teenager Finn Smith.
Captain Jack Beguely doubled Albany’s lead when he scored in the 36th minute, his sixth of the season.
The teams went into half-time with the 2-0 scoreline.
Albany struck first in the second spell when Tomas Mosquera, a close-season signing from Waitemata, made it 3-0 in the 54th minute.
That sparked a Metro revival and top scorer Jaydyn Englefield scored his fifth of the season in the 58th minute.
Josh Turner then pulled back another for Metro, giving hope to the home supporters.
But two penalties in quick succession extinguished Metro’s hopes.
Referee Chris Trent pointed to the spot in the 77th minute, ruling that Dhanush Chandra had prevented a goalscoring opportunity.
Albany’s Ben Roberts stepped up and scored.
Five minutes later, Roberts was against facing goalkeeper Jack Marshall as he slotted his second penalty to make it 5-3.
For Albany, the win keeps up their recovery from a poor start to the season and as they headed back across the bridge, their team was only a point behind fourth place — at least until Saturday’s remaining fixtures are played.
For Metro, the loss leaves them too close to the bottom of the table for comfort.
But their willingness to play home games on Friday nights is certainly providing spectators with entertaining starts to their weekends.
Main photo: Albany captain Jack Beguely (right) … on the scoresheet again. File photo: Shane Wenzlick / Phototek.
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Result
Game played May 27, 2022
Metro 3 (Jaydyn Englefield 58′, Josh Turner 63′, Finn McCracken 87′)
Albany United 5 (Finn Smith 22′, Jack Beguely 36′, Tomas Mosquera 54′, Ben Roberts 73′ pen, 78′ pen)
Standings
Thanks
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