Canterbury United

Waitakere United

0

2

Roy Krishna 70, 90+2  

by Gavin Searle at English Park
nzfc.co.nz

Two quality second half strikes by Roy Krishna saw Waitakere United defeat Canterbury United 2-0 and increase their lead at the top of the NZFC table to five points.

Meanwhile the result consigns Canterbury to the bottom of the table on goal difference behind Otago United.

The opening half was very entertaining as both sides had chances to break the deadlock with Canterbury’s Andy Pitman controlling the midfield battle the home side looked the equal of the West Auckland side.

Canterbury’s Tom Lancaster had three chances which either went over the bar or directly to the keeper and Chris Sinclair was the equal to any chances Waitakere created.

Waitakere come out firing in the second half after a half time volley by their coach, Chris Millicich with the wind also switching direction in the favour of the visiting side it only seemed a matter of time before they took the lead.

Krishna’s first strike came just minutes after Canterbury captain, Bill Robertson, was knocked out in a challenge with Gillespie for the ball.

The Fijian’s pace saw him skip around two defenders before firing home an unstoppable shot from just inside the area. Robertson was replaced immediately after the goal.

Canterbury had several half chances late in the game but never really looked like scoring with Waitakere substitute, Paul Seaman setting up Krishna for another quality strike during stoppage time.

Milicich was pleased with his side result which means that they have stayed unbeaten in the NZFC for a year.

“We changed things around at the break and started to shut Canterbury down get more control at it was just a matter of time before we scored”.

“Roy is a quality player and they were certainly quality strike’s. We have built up a younger side than last year so you have to be pleased” said Milicich.

Koruch Monsef was disappointed with the result.

“I did not see much difference between the two sides for the first seventy minutes.

Then with Bill getting injured there was a two minute period were we lost our shape and they scored during this period” reflected Monsef.

Unfortunately for Canterbury football is a game of ninety minutes with The Dragons now finding themselves in another rearguard action to battle with Otago for the wooden spoon for the second season on end.

Photos: Glyn Davies www.m4photography.co.nz

Canterbury United

V

Waitakere United

22. Chris Sinclair (gk)

1. Richard Gillespie

2. Dan Terris

3. Aaron Scott

3. Matt Boyd

4. Tim Myers

4. Bill Robertson (capt) (out 72)

16. Neil Emblem (capt)

5. Andy Pitman

15. Christopher Bale

7. Ryan Faichnie

17. Jake Bulter

8. Garry McDermott

11. Neil Sykes

9. Tom Lancaster

9. Benjamin Totori

10. Jamie Smith

10. Allan Pearce (out 62)

15. James Reichwein (out 62)

12. Roy Krishna

21. Ben Harris (out 85)

14. Jeff Campbell (out 72)

Substitutes

Substitutes

1. Michael O'Keeffe (RGK)

28. Steffan Marinovic (RGK)

13. Adam Cowen (in 72)

21. Kayne Vincent (in 62)

16. Nick Wortelboer (in 85)

24. Ash Solly

17. Geoff MacIntyre (in 62)

8. Paul Seaman (in 72)

=goal

=yellow card

=2 yellow cards

= red card

Welcome to English Park were table topper's Waitakere United face Canterbury United who are looking to pull off a major upset to keep clear of the wooden spoon. Weather was 30 degree at 2pm with thankfully the temp has now dropped with a southerly change which may bring rain before the final whistle.

1 min

Play underway with the wind currently coming across the ground

5 mins

Both sides feeling each other other but Waitakere look like they have come to play

6 mins

Allan Pearce off the field after a heavy tackle

7 mins

Waitakere back to 11 players as Pearce back on field

8 mins

Canty win first corner of game but easily cleared

10 mins

First real chance of game as good Canty moves ends with Tom Lancaster shooting over bar.

20 mins

Still no score with Canty have better of chances

28 mins

Peace nearly in to score as in nearly races on to a back pass from Bill Robertson by keeper Chris Sinclair scrambles ball away for corner

32 mins

Neil Emblem flicks on ball with head from free kick up Sinclair up high to take ball under pressure

35 mins

Waitakere starting to look more dangerous near Canty goal area

37 mins

Lancaster heads straight at Waitakere keeper, Richard Gillespie after good run and cross from Ben Harris

43 mins

Great move by Waitakere nearly opens up Canty but Jeff Campbell straight at Sinclair

45 mins + 1

Neil Sykes shot straight at Sinclair

45mins + 2 

Lively half comes to end with both sides having had chances to score. With Otago having drawn Canty need at least a point from this game to get of the bottom

46 mins

Back underway with no changes to either side

46 mins

Yellow card Andy Pitman - Canty into book for incident off ball

47 mins

Yellow card Bill Roberton - Canty into book for foul on Roy Krishna 

50 mins

Waitakere have lifted play with several half chances already since the break

52 mins

Yellow card Jamie Smith - Canty into book 

57 mins

Yellow card Matt Boyd - Canty also in book. Canty will have to careful

58 mins

Emblem heads towards goal with Sinclair just managing to tip ball over bar

60 mins

Winds has change direction and getting stronger which is in Waitakere's favour

62 mins

Sub Geoff MacIntyre on to replace Jame Reichwein (Canty)

Sub Kayne Vincent on to replace Allan Peace (Waitakere)

68 mins

Bill Robertson down but back in play after game resumes

70 mins

GOAL 0 - 1 Krishna to quick for defenders and unstopable shot find botton corner of net

72mins

Sub Adam Cowen on to replace Roberton (Canty)

Sub Paul Seaman on to replace Campbell (Waitakere)

80 mins

Benjamin Totori should have double scoreline but scoops ball high over bar. You get the feling that the chances Canty missed in the first half to come back to haunt them.

85 mins

Sub Canty makes last sub with Nick Wortelboer replacing Ben Harris

88 mins

Canty wins corner but Waitakere clears

90 mins

There will be four minutes of added time

90 mins + 2

GOAL 0 - 2 Paul Seaman sets up Krishna for another classy finish

90 mins + 4

FULL TIME 0 - 2 Who can stop Waitakere now with Canty now fighting to avoid the wooden spoon for the second season in a row. Review and photo's to follow.