Manakau’s striker Atain Halley was dominant in the first half, grabbing a hat-trick before halftime with a combination of pace and skill in the opening 45 minutes.
Halley opened the scoring the 8th minute, collecting a through ball and sidefooting it past the keeper, and made it 2-0 after 25 minutes when he curled in a clever free-kick from the edge of the penalty area that left the Paekak goalkeeper standing rooted to the spot.
Gavin Saunders provided the assist for the 3rd goal, slipping a pass into the box and Halley weaved past two defenders before calmly shooting into the net just before the break.
Saunders was instrumental in the 4th Manakau goal as well, delivering a well flighted corner that Paul Kulhavy nodded past the static visitors defence and into the goal – while Mike Urlich wrapped up the scoring late on running past his defender and then drilling the ball into the net.
Chris Reed put in an energetic display up front getting involved in a lot of play, while Willie West and Mark Tiumalu-Faleseuga were outstanding in defence, and took opportunities to get forward and use their pace on several occasions.
The Manakau Hui Mai side just missed out on winning the league – ending with a 12-2-2 record for second spot and possible promotion to Division One - a very good effort after winning promotion to Division Two last season.
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