Waitakere's Roy Krishna was too hot for Otago United in the 5-0 defeat inflicted in the ASB Premiership match in Auckland yesterday.
Krishna scored his 26th ASB goal after nine minutes when hesitant defending allowed the in-form striker space to pick his spot and give Otago keeper Peter Evans little chance.
Keeper Evans had even less hope minutes later when defender Liam Lockhart skewed an attempted clearance into Otago's net, and the score was 2-0.
Evans stopped the rot with a brilliant double save shortly afterwards, first diving at Krishna's feet, then reflexing away a strong shot by Allan Pearce. The big keeper also touched another fierce shot on to his woodwork.
Otago settled down and strung a few passes together, gaining good possession and getting into Waitakere's penalty area after a well delivered corner that had Harley Rodeka and Lockhart challenging.
However, Otago once again fell prey to Krishna's pace as he raced clear and delicately lobbed into Evan's goal to make it 3-0 at halftime.
Otago coach Richard Murray then made changes and, after Seamus Ryder replaced Regan Coldicott, Jude Fitzpatrick came on for Craig Ferguson and Zac Rathbone replaced Ant Hancock.
But a classy turn by Krishna earned his hat trick and, in the 80th minute, Ryan de Vries intercepted a headed pass back by Rodeka and it was 5-0.
The hat trick hoists Fijian international Krishna to the top of ASB goalscorers with seven goals.
Coach Murray was philosophical.
"We are in the process of rebuilding after losing so many players, so in a perverse way, the match gave me a chance to see how new players reacted. And it was not all bad news. There were some good combinations out there, and we have to build on them." Canterbury kept pressure on with a 3-0 win over Waikato, Wellington and Auckland drew 1-1 and Hawkes Bay beat bottom side Manawatu 5-0. Otago plays Manawatu next Sunday.
Waitakere - 5
Otago Utd - 0
