Solomon Islander looks set for Golden Boot award in NZFC

A prominent young Solomon Islander, Mr Benjamin Totori from Malaita, is continuing his informed hunt for the Golden Boot award in the New Zealand Football Championship (NZFC) after scoring a double for Youngheart Manawatu yesterday to lift his tally to sixteen goals in 11 matches.

In a fiery match with Hawke's Bay United in Palmerston North with a wet and damp underfoot conditions, Manawatu took a while to settle into their usual rhythm before Benjamin Totori opened the scoring a minute before halftime after a fine burst down the left flank from Alick Maemae, another Solomon Islander.

Manawatu then doubled their advantage four minutes after the interval when former Waikato FC coach Dave Edmondson, in his first match in Hawke’s Bay colours, scored an own goal after attempting to block a cross.

The match then became heated in the 60th minute when Graham Fyfe scored for Hawke’s Bay after a scuffle broke out between the two teams.

But Manawatu were able to restore their two goal cushion six minutes later when Totori scored from the penalty spot after Tim Richardson was brought down in the box. Sam Messam then ensured Manawatu faced a nervy final few minutes to end the match after he scored in the 90th minute.

At the full time whistle, Manawatu have managed to hold on to their 3 goals to beat Hawke's Bay 3-2. Manawatu are still second on the table with a point below Waitakere United thus placing presuure on Waitakere, ahead of their next game with Auckland City on Sunday.

Source: NZFC