A devastating 10-minute burst in the first half powered Papakura City to a 3-1 win against Central United at the Croatian Cultural Club on Friday.
Playing under lights, Central were the team with the most to gain, knowing a win would keep them on the tail of NRF Men’s Championship leaders Papatoetoe.
But the first half turned into a disaster.
Papakura opened the scoring through Argyle Morling in the 23rd minute and he doubled the visitors’ lead on the half-hour.
Two minutes later, Vikil Prakash extended the lead to 3-1.
Worse, Central then missed a penalty.
In the second half, Central gave themselves a faint hope of a comeback, scoring through Linus Backman in the 78th minute.
But it was to be Papakura’s night and they moved above South Auckland Rangers and into the top half of the table — at least till Saturday afternoon — while Central will rue the missed opportunity to turn up the heat on leaders Papatoetoe.
Main photo: Argyle Morling … a double for Papakura City. File photo: Phototek.
Papatoetoe play third-placed Te Atatu on Saturday.
Result
Game played Friday July 15, 2022
Central United 1 (Linus Backman 78′)
Papakura City 3 (Argyle Morling 23′, 30′, Vikil Vineet Prakash 32′)
Standings
Fixtures
Games to be played Saturday July 16, 2022
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South Auckland Rangers v Uni-Mount Bohemian
Rongomai Park, Auckland, 3pm
Papatoetoe v Te Atatu
Murdoch Park, Papatoetoe, 3pm
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