Nine Man Technical Hold On To Defeat United And Return To Top Of Table

Cashmere Technical had to survive two red cards during the second half to hold on in the final ten minutes to inflict Christchurch United their first defeat in the Southern League. Technical take over at the top of the table on goal difference going into the final round after winning 1 – 0 over United. Nelson Suburbs moved into third place on the table when defeating Nomads 5 – 3, with the Dunedin City Royals now in fourth place after needing two late goals to edge Green Island 2 – 1. Ferrymead Bays dropped two positions when Selwyn caused the upset winning 3 – 1, with Mosgiel dropping to the foot of the table when going down to Coastal Spirit 5 – 0.

Technical and United have 46 points, with Technical having a plus 6 goal difference, with Suburbs on 30, Royals 28 and Bays on 27. Coastal have 16, Green Island 13 – with both now safe from relegation, Nomads 12, Selwyn 11 and Mosgiel 9.

Technical were forced to make an early change when Fraser Angus was replaced by Cory Vickers in the 4^th minute, with a suspected ACL injury. There were plenty of half chances to both sides early on and late in the half both sides forced a series of corners with Tech going close when a shot from Kian Donkers had to be taken at the second attempt by United keeper, Scott Morris. On the stroke of half time from another United corner a shot was cleared on the line to Eddie Wilkinson whose shot was just over the bar. In the 50^th minute Technical won another corner, taken by Lyle Matthysen which was headed home by Vickers, his first league goal of the season.

Chances continued to come at both ends with Coughlan and Wilkinson both going close with United’s subs, Mika Rabuka and Joel Peterson combining well to fire a shot high and wide. Vickers received a straight red card for a studs up tackle in the 70^th minute. Ten minutes later Lachie McIsaac received a second yellow card and from the resulting free-kick Tech keeper, Danny Knight saved well. With 5 minutes remaining Knight had to save in the second attempt from Will Pierce. In the remaining minute of normal time plus the five minutes of added time United tested the Technical defence with numerous crosses, many delivered from the left by Paul Ifill, who had subbed himself on for the final ten minutes, but these were effectively dealt with by Knight, Andrew Storer, Tom Schwarz and even Coughlan who had dropped back in the final minutes. In added time Knight had to save again at the second attempt but they held on to put the championship into a final round ‘shoot out’, with the result also meaning Technical locked away the Hurley Shield for the summer. 

Dan Ede scored what was his final goal for Selwyn, announcing his retirement after the game, after five minutes in what was an even opening half. Just after the break, Jamie Carrodus doubled the lead after Bays keeper, Coey Turipa clipped down a player, with the keeper receiving a yellow card for dissent before the penalty was taken. With twenty minutes remaining Darius van Wyk, who had only been subbed on minutes earlier put Selwyn up 3 – 0. Ryan Stanley then reduced the margin with ten minutes remaining with Turipa receiving a second yellow card when bringing down van Wyk well outside his goal area.

Nomads should have opened the scoring against Suburbs when a shot from Declan Hickford hit the base of the righthand post but no one was following up to put the rebound into the open goal. Suburbs then went 1 – up when a corner was only half cleared to Lucas Hogg to score. Corey Larsen doubled the lead after 29 minutes and with Suburbs winning most of the 50/ 50 challenges a third goal quickly followed when Aiden Higgs scored ten minutes before the break. Suburbs hit the post early in the second half with Higgs finishing well after being played on side by a defender in the 68^th minute with Nomads then conceding another goal minutes later. Nomads then immediately pulled a goal back when Daniel Thoms scored. Thoms then completed his hat-trick when he scored twice in the final ten minutes.   

Green Island started well against the Royals with Tom Milton heading over the bar from a corner. Midway into the first half Cam Anderson was deemed to have been fouled in the area and from the resulting penalty Milton saw his spot kick blocked by keeper, Alex Boomer, with Milton scoring from the rebound in what turned out be the only goal of the opening half. Chances were wasted at both ends after the break and with time almost up, the game turned when from a corner which was only half cleared by Green Island with Olivier Cassidy firing home with three minutes remaining. Two minutes later a long-throw from Callan Rothmets was not dealt with effectively and Will Turner put the Royals 2 – 1 up. Green Island went close from a freekick, with time almost up but Boomer saved easily. 

Coastal picked-up their first away win of the season when accounting for Mosgiel 5-0. After both sides had chances to open the scoring, Coastal’s captain Michael Hogan, became the sides top scorer when finding the back of the net in the 39^th minute. Treye Butler doubled the lead just after the break and added Coastal’s third on the hour. Mosgiel then conceded an own goal before Bulter completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot with ten minutes remaining.

Round 18 fixtures see Coastal entertaining Nomads, United hosting Mosgiel, Royals taking on Technical with Bays meeting Green Island and on Sunday Selwyn travel north to take on Suburbs. The catch-up game from Round 14 between the Royals and Suburbs is set to be played on 3^rd September. 

Results / Scorers - Round 17 of 18

Cashmere Technical 1 (Cory Vickers)
Christchurch United 0
HT 0 - 0

Green Island 1 (Tom Milton)
Dunedin City Royals 2 (Oliver Cassidy, Will Turner)
HT 1 - 0

Mosgiel 0
Coastal Spirit 5 (Trey Butler 3 incl pen, Michael Hogan, own goal)
HT 0 - 1

Nomads 3 (Daniel Thoms 3)
Nelson Suburbs 5 (Aiden Higgs 2, Lucas Hogg, Corey Larsen, own goal) 
HT 0 - 3 

Selwyn 3 (Dan Ede, Jamie Carrodus - pen, Darius van Wyk)
Ferrymead Bay 1 (Ryan Stanley)
HT 1 - 0

FC Claim Canterbury Premier League Title

FC Twenty11 wrapped up the New World Canterbury Premier League title when defeating out going champions, Western 4 – 2. The win extended FC’s unbeaten run to ten on the bounce, with Nathan Dix completing a hat-trick with captain Harrison Bowman scoring the other with Omar Cameron claiming a double for Western. Burwood returned to winning ways when defeating neighbours Parklands 3 – 0, with Kane Kilbride bagging a brace to join Dix and Cameron as co-joint top scorers in the league with 13 goals. Universities continued their late season rally when edging Halswell 2 – 1 with both the students goals coming from two Stu Campbell penalties, with Waimak having the bye.

With two rounds to play FC have 37 points, seven clear of Waimak on 30 with Western in third place on 26. Universities and Burwood have 25, Halswell 17 and Parklands 3, with FC now in play-off contention to replace whichever side finishes in bottom place in the Southern League and facing automatic relegation.