Canterbury United

Waikato FC

2

Milos Nikolic 33' 61'

by John Donnachie at AMI Stadium
asbpremiership.co.nz

CHRISTCHURCH - Had the Canterbury defence been as impregnable as the AMI stadium security, they may have won this match.

Twice they led in this game, only to be pegged back by a determined and well drilled Waikato side.

To be fair, a draw was a fair outcome. Both sides had their moments, but for the favourites – the red and blacks – it was another incomplete performance.

Yet, they got of to a great start; a penalty inside three minutes, when Waikato full-back Nathan Strom handled while he fell awkwardly on the ball, as he tried to stop Dragons striker Russell Kamo going past him in the box. 

Aaron Clapham duly did the honours, with an exquisite chip from the penalty spot which totally wrong footed the Waikato keeper John Fletcher.

It seemed Canterbury were all set to turn it on for the growing crowd, but it never materialised. While Fletcher's goal was constantly under threat, Waikato kept their composure and shape and by the middle of the half they had become more adventurous.

Still, Waikato's goal was against the run of play. A long ball out of midfield caught the home defence asleep, and the impressive Milos Nikolic latched on to it just outside the box, before lobbing a stranded Batty to level the scores.

The same player forced Canterbury keeper Tom Batty into action with a fierce drive just before the interval as the visitors confirmed their resurgence in the match.

Waikato should have scored straight after the break, when Jason McKeown had time and space but he shot wide from inside the box.

But Canterbury restored their lead with a fantastic goal from Andrew Barton. The youngster picked up a ball on the edge of the box, looked up and unleashed a thunderous strike into the far top corner.

While the press box was still marvelling at that strike Nikolic, a thorn in the Dragons defence all day, rose to head home an relatively easy equaliser of a corner much to the frustration of United coach Keith Braithwaite.

“When we got 2-1 up I really thought we would go on from there. But bad marking cost us with their second goal of that corner.”

Braithwaite felt the warm conditions impacted on his team, and in the end a draw was not too disappointing. “Overall I'm happy, we played some good stuff. But it was 28 degrees out there and I think we tired in the end.”

There was almost an inspired substitution, when Braithwaite brought on first, the lively Ryan Tippett and then Gagame Feni. The two of whom combined right on full time, but Feni skied over the bar from a score-able position after fine work from Tippett on the edge of the box. Best for Canterbury were goalscorers Andrew Barton and Aaron Clapham.

For Waikato FC, last month's ASB Premership player of the month, Jason Hicks, looked very capable with his dribbling skills. While goalscorer Milos Milkolic was always asking questions of the home defence.

Waikato coach Willy Gerdsen said the 2-2 deadlock was “a fair result”. He was pleased with the way his “young and inexperienced team” recovered after conceding an early penalty.

“The match was played at a good tempo, and I think my team showed great character to keep coming back. I believe we are making progress.” said Gerdsen.

Next week, Canterbury head south for the first South Island derby of the season against  Otago United. Waikato FC entertain champions Waitakere United.

Canterbury United

V

Waikato FC

1.  Tom Batty

1. John Fletcher

2. Dan Terris (cpt)

2. Maksim Manko

3. Andy Pitman

5. Nathan Strom

4. Gareth Rowe

6. Nicholas Branch

5. Tom Schwarz

7. Jason Hicks

15. Danny Attwell

8. Jason McKeown

7. Aaron Clapham

11. Nathan Palmer (Jones 82')

9. Russell Kamo (Feni 76')

12. Jack Bequely

14. Joe Murray (Collins 76')

14. Joe Bresnahan

8. Darren Overton

17. Milos Nikolic

23. Andrew Barton  (Tippett 70')

20. Sam Margetts (Ballan 69')

Substitutes

Substitutes

24. Tane Gent

9. Mark Jones (in 82')

17. Ryan Tippett (in 70'

18. Alexei Davies- Campbell

6. Glen Collins (in 76'

22. Alex Carr (RGK)

11. Chris Sinclair (RGK)

23. Matteo Ballan (in 69')

12. Gagame Feni (in 76')

=goal

=yellow card

=2 yellow cards

= red card

Good afternoon, and welcome to AMI Stadium in Christchurch, for this week's ASB Premiership encounter between Canterbury United and Waikato FC. Conditions are overcast- but warm. Forecast is for temperatures around the mid 20s come kick off time- hopefully the game is a sizzler too..to follow..

Canterbury will be keen to get back to winning ways after a recent defeat and draw. Should they win they will go second outright in the league. Waikato had a good win last week over cellar dwellers Manawatu . teams

1'

underway here at Ami

3'

Penalty- Strom handball in the box Canty- Clapham scores from spot with exquistie strike

6'

Hicks almost dribbles through Canty defence. but is tackled.

8'

corner canty is cleared by Waikato defence

10'

Good open match, Canty on top in midfield

12'

Overton shoots over the bar for canty after good leading up work

14'

Canty still in control Murray and Clapham pulling the strings

20'

corner for Waikato comes to nothing

23'

Waikato content to sit back and invite Canty forward

26'

Clapham brings save out of Fletcher from free-kick

30'

Margetts brings save out of Batty from 20 yards out

32'

Visitors have done well to keep shape after bad start

33'

Goal Nickolic scores runs through lobs through ball from midfield over stranded Batty

35'

Waikato very much back in it.

37'

Not much in the way of action

41'

Nickolic threatens down flank fires shot in Batty saves -corner Waikato

43'

Waikato finishing half strongly, playing more in opposition half of field.

45'

Half-time

We are underway.. Can waikato continue their resurgence in this match. Or will Canty get going again?

47'

McKeown almost gives Waikato the lead with shot inside the box inches wide of far post.

53'

Goal Barton scores for Canty comes in fromout wide and unleashes a great shot into top corner

55'

I wonder if Ricki Herbert was watching! Straight out of the blue that strike from Barton.

57'

More urgency about Canty now.

58'

Strom booked for challenge on Barton

60'

Hicks brings great save out of Batty who punches over bar corner Waikato

61'

Goal Nickolic scores with header -Waikato scores from corner

62'

Gareth Rowe booked for challenge 35 yards out

64'

Corner Canty, change for Waikato Margetts goes off for Ballan

70'

Tippet comes on for Kamo

74'

good opportunity for Nickolic but he opts to cross rather than shoot

78'

Feni & Collins about to come on for Barton and Murray

79'

Canty force 2 corners in a row . But waikato hold firm

81'

Waikato change Palmer goes off for Jones

84'

Corner Canty comes to nothing

88'

Canty threaten but cross from Tippett cleared

90'

Feni misses skies over the bar after great work by Tippett on the flank

four minutes added on

91'

Still Canty chasing winner

game over 2-2 it finishes