Auckland FC were at their best on Saturday afternoon, with Jesse Randall starring in a 3-0 win over Melbourne City at Go Media Stadium.
Both attacks took a while to fully get into the match, but once Logan Rogerson scored the first goal it was all Auckland FC.
Randall’s goal put him outright top of the golden boot race, and Guillermo May joined the Kiwi wingers on the scoresheet.
Defences dominated the opening 40 minutes, with both sets of centre-backs holding firm against their opposing attackers and Patrick Beach doing well to continually find his way through the crowd at corners to punch clear.
When Auckland captain Hirokai Sakai was forced off with a hamstring injury just before half time, Steve Corica saw the opportunity to change tact by replacing the Japanese defender with English striker Sam Cosgrove.
The attacking switch paid off immediately with Logan Rogerson running in to the area unmarked to nod in May’s cross past Beach, scoring his first goal in 17 appearances to make it 1-0.
Auckland grabbed their second against the run of play on the hour mark when Michael Woud’s 80-metre punt up the field found Randall, who got in behind the City defence to score his ninth goal for the year.
It became 3-0 just five minutes later when Randall’s cross to the back post found the wide open May waiting to head in from point blank range.
Auckland had a pair of chances in the final minutes with Lachlan Brook’s shot blocked away by Nathaniel Atkinson and Jake Brimmer’s half-volley from range forcing a fine save from Beach.
Auckland will host Perth Glory next weekend, while City will turn their attention to a pair of AFC Champions League matches against Thai side Buriam United.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
Auckland FC goal: Logan Rogerson 43′
Auckland FC goal: Jesse Randall 59′
Auckland FC goal: Guillermo May 66′
