Early resistance by Otago United crumbled and Wellington United finished strongly to win 5-0 in a windy and wet ASB Premiership match in the Capital yesterday.
Otago's fortune was not helped by a late straight red card for Andy Coburn, and yellow cautions for Tim Horner and Paul Seaman.
Despite a promising beginning that featured spells of pressure from coach Malcolm Fleming's side, John Sutherland, who scored twice when the teams met at Tahuna in the first round, opened the scoring for Wellington after 20 minutes.
He ran on to a cross from Wiremu Patrick, beat the offside trap, and shot past Adam Highfield.
Two minutes later, Wellington went further ahead when Darren Cheriton broke clear, and rounded keeper Highfield before making it 2-0.
Both sides found the wind and heavy rain difficult.
One flying Patrick tackle sent Ant Hancock hydroplaning into the advertising hoardings.
Nathan Knox went close from the resultant freekick.
Otago made an incisive start to the second half, with Knox racing through on to a Tristan Prattley cross, then a similar run was blocked in the crowded Wellington penalty area.
Alistair Rickerby replaced Harley Rodeka after 56 minutes and Otago produced its best spell, with Wellington keeper Phil Imray earning applause for a fine reflex save of a deflected free kick.
Andy Coburn delivered a good cross deep into Wellingto's penalty area, requiring a desperate tackle from Karl Whalen to clear his line.
Phil Ruggles went on and almost scored for Otago as a loose ball arrived, and with several United shirts around, the ball was hacked wide.
With little left to defend, Otago pushed forward, but it was Wellington that exposed gaps and went further ahead, when Hicham Kamri headed a 77th-minute goal, and Otago self-destructed during the next 10 minutes.
Coburn was shown a straight red card, and Tim Horner and Paul Seaman complained, were yellow carded as they complained.
Wellington kept its cool for Emiliano Tade and George Barbarouses to ram in another two goals in two minutes, completing a 5-0 scoreline that will haunt Otago for some time.
