Two goals just before half-time were the catalyst for an upset 2-1 win by Ranui Swanson against South Auckland Rangers at Starling Park.
Playing under Friday night lights, Ranui overhauled Rangers who had scored first through Jayden Reddy in the 21st minute.
As half-time approached, the home side struck with two goals in as many minutes, the first from Nathaniel Hastings (40′) and the second from Daniel Faure (42′).
That was the scoring for the night though the second half was not without incident.
Referee Aaron Day dished out seven yellow cards in the second half, three to Ranui and four to Rangers whose Ryan Kumar was sent off in added time for a second yellow.
The win raised Ranui out of the bottom two — at least overnight — while Rangers missed their chance to move above Central into second place.
Main photo: Goalscorer Jayden Reddy … signed for Rangers from Bucklands Beach for this season. Image: Shane Wenzlick / Phototek.
On Saturday, the Papatoetoe and Central United meet in a top-of-the-table showdown.
Result
Game played Friday July 8, 2022
Ranui Swanson 2 (Nathaniel Hastings 40′, Daniel Faure 42′)
South Auckland Rangers 1 (Jayden Reddy 21′)
Standings
Saturday fixtures
Te Atatu (4th) v Uni-Mount Bohemian (6th)
Te Atatu Peninsula Park, Auckland, 3pm
Papakura City (5th) v Lynn-Avon United (8th)
McLennan Park, Papakura, 5pm
Papatoetoe (1st) v Central United (2nd)
Murdoch Park, Papatoetoe, 3pm
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