Auckland FC made it a clean sweep of NZ derbies this season, as they embarrassed the Wellington Phoenix 5-0 at Sky Stadium
Auckland took a bit of time at the start of the match to find their feet with no Sam Cosgrove or Louis Verstraete; though once they were settled, there was no let up.
Jesse Randall scored two goals to take him to equal top of the golden boot race, while Guillermo May, Lachlan Brook and a Joshua Oluwayemi own goal were the other names on the scorers sheet.
Sky Stadium was put into stunned silence on the 24th minute when Jake Girdwood-Reich’s up-field clearance beat Oluwayemi in flight, the Wellington keeper’s failed header only able to help it on its way into goal.
Auckland doubled their lead just five minutes later, when Randall cut in from the left and curled it past Oluwayemi at the far post.
The South Americans combined to make it 3-0 in the 40th minute when Chilean Luis Felipe Gallegos’s cut back from the by-line sat perfectly for the Uruguayan May to slam home from the penalty spot.
Randall added his second for the evening on the stroke of half time, the Kiwi winger getting on the end of May’s defence-splitting pass and chipping the on-rushing Oluwayemi to make it 4-0.
Giancarlo Italiano made a statement at half time, replacing Oluwayemi in goal with Alby Kelly-Heald.
Brook was introduced to the game in the 71st minute and by the 74th, he had the ball in the back of the net for Auckland’s fifth and final goal for the evening.
Wellington get to host Sydney FC next, while Auckland will host Melbourne City.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
Auckland FC goal: Own Goal 24′
Auckland FC goal: Jesse Randall 30′
Auckland FC goal: Guillermo May 41′
Auckland FC goal: Jesse Randall 45+5′
Auckland FC goal: Lachie Brook
