Otago United

Team Wellington

2

4

Stu Kelly 85
Barry Gardiner 85

Peter Halstead 65
Andy Barron 66
Luis Corrales 76, 90

by nzfc.co.nz

Six goals in the final 25 minutes transformed Sunday’s Sunnyvale into a remarkable 4-2 Team Wellington victory over Otago United at Sunnyvale on Sunday.

In a game that flowed freely although not at breakneck pace – understandable given the mini heat-wave warming the country – it took over an hour for either side to break through.

But when the goals came they came thick and fast.

Sam Blackburn stole in behind Otago’s defence to set up an easy tap-in for substitute Peter Halstead in the 65th minute, with Andy Barron needing less than a minute to double the advantage with his second goal in as many games since returning from injury.

When Luis Corrales made it 3-0 with a tight turn and crisp finish Wellington looked like they could cruise home in the last 14 minutes.

With just one day off since playing champions Waitakere in Auckland, Otago could be forgiven for wilting in the heat, but Stu Kelly’s superb left foot drive, and Barry Gardiner’s cheeky 18 yard chip – both in the 85th minute – gave Wellington some nervy moments to endure.

With the clock ticking down Rhys Henderson was judged to have brought Halstead down illegally in the area, although many would argue it would take more than one of the diminutive fullback to fell the towering striker, and golden boot leader Luis Corrales stepped up to net his 12th goal of the season.

His spot kick – to the right of Liam Little – was saved by the Otago keeper, who was then powerless to stop the Costa Rican burying the rebound to push two goals clear of Manawatu’s Jason Hayne at the top of the scoring charts.

For the second time in three days, Otago’s defence was robbed of a key defender early in the match – when Colin Falvey left the game injured after half an hour but Tim Horner was impressive at right back to help keep the Corrales and company at bay.

As they have all through the season Otago brought plenty of attacking intent to the match, but the ability of Wellington to deliver a clinical final ball proved the difference.

Otago’s assistant coach Malcolm Fleming was full of praise for his side’s fight back after playing both of last year’s finalists over the long weekend.

“Two games in three days was tough enough,” Fleming said.

“It was hot as hell here today, with a hot Norwester and it was bloody hot up in Auckland on Friday too so the boys have been sweating it out and many of them played 90 in both games.”

“At 3-0 down the floodgates could’ve opened, but Stu’s got us back to 3-1 with a great goal and then at 3-2 they get a softish penalty.”

“When you’re bottom I guess the luck doesn’t go your way. We’ve played pretty well and got nothing for it."

Fleming said staying off the bottom of the table – Otago are currently above Canterbury on goal difference – was still motivation although admitted the run-in was tough.

“We’ve still got plenty to play for and if we can get a point or three in the last two games we’re be okay.

"But we’ve got Waitakere at home in a fortnight – and Waikato’s win just makes it tougher for anyone else who has to play them. They’ll be all guns blazing now.

"And Hawke’s Bay put four past Canterbury with a couple disallowed and they’re trying to book a semi-final spot.

We’ve got plenty to play for but so do the sides we’re up against.

Meanwhile, Wellington’s outside hopes of sneaking into the playoffs remained alive with the win but a home win over Canterbury in a fortnight is needed to set up a do-or-die final round match against Waikato.

Photos: Rob Jefferies, SM Photography

Otago United

V

Team Wellington

1 Liam Little (GK)

1 James McPeake (GK)

2 Rhy Henderson

3 Steve Gulley

3 Tristan Prattley

6 Mike Pickering

7 Robbie Deeley  (out 68)

7 Sam Blackburn (out 83)

8 Blair Scoullar  (out 74)

8 Peter Howe

11 Andy Coburn

10 Luis Corrales

12 Aaron Burgess

13 Karl Whalen

17 Tim Horner

14 Sam Jenkins (out 54)

18 Tom Connor

17 Andy Barron

21 Stu Kelly

22 Adam Birch (C)

5 Colin Falvey (C) (out 36)

25 Paul Whitmarsh (out 59)

Substitutes

Substitutes

13 Callum Flaws (RGK)

24 Jake Gleeson (RGK)

4 Barry Gardiner (in 74)

5 Michael Eager (in 83)

9 Tom Jackson (in 36)

21 Brian Little (in 54)

10 Dave Dugdale (in 68)

18 Peter Halstead  (in 59)

16 Regan Coldicott

15 Morgan Day

=goal

=yellow card

=2 yellow cards

= red card

-5 min

Welcome to sunnyvale, its a warm day with a warmer breeze and a lot of cloud cover.

0min

Wellington kicks off.

3min

Ball play in Otago's favour.

8min

Reff call's passback on James McPeake,Aaron Burgess takes the kick and Wellington's wall blocks.

11min

Robbie Deeley takes a crack of a shot from out side 18y only to have it float upwards over the bar.

16min

Luis Corrales moves along Otago's 18y box towards the center and takes a shot through defence but liam stops with ease.

18min

Luis Corrales injurs knee after tackle with Otago defender.

20min

Liam Little grabs high ball at full strech from Wellington's Corner.

23min

Colin Falvey goes down after a jump to a header over Wellington player.
Stu Kelly trips Adam Birch while on the ground.
Colin Leaves pitch for medical treatment.

26min

Colin Falvey returns to the pitch.

30min

Ref call's obstruction on Otago players from standing to close to keeper.

30min

Wellington counter with a point blank shot by Luis Corrales reflected by a great save from Liam Little, Wellington's follow up shot goes wide.

38min

Colin Falvey comes off due to leg pain,
to be replaced by Tom Jackson

42min

Aaron Burgess crosses in from the corner only to have it rebound of a team mates head into the center of the 18y box of Wellingtons, Andy Coburn follows in with a kick puts it wide to the left of the goal.

45+2

Half Time
With most of the calls going in Wellington's favour, Otago look a little upset by some of the calls made by the ref and linesmen.

46min

Otago kick off for 2nd half.
Tom Jackson moves up left wing and crosses to center outside Wellington's 18y box to Rhys Henderson who hits it right wide of the goal.

48min

Tim Horner hand ball.

49min

Paul Whitmarsh intercepts ball and passes out to Sam Jenkins who moves the ball up and crosses to Luis Corrales who spins in the center of Otago's goal mouth around Otago defender and kicks it up on the the right side of the crossbar rebounding out.

54min

Wellington sub
Brian Little comes on for Sam Jenkins

56min

Paul Whitmarsh takes a shot on goal from outside Otagos 18y box and Liam Little dives to push the ball around his left upright.

59min

Wellington sub
18 Peter Helstead comes on for Paul Whitmarsh

64min

Twisted ankle takes Tim Horner off for a few seconds as he gets a breather.

65min

Mike Helstead Scores 0-1

66min

Andy Barron Scores a follow up goal for Wellington 0-2!

67min

Otago sub
10 Dave Dugdale replaces Robbie Deeley

71min

Luis Corrale sides in and scores 0-3!
Blair Scoullar, Robbie Deeley & Andy Coburn all get yellow cards after aruging with the ref

75min

Otago sub
Blair Scoullar is replaced by Barry Gardiner

80min

Barry Gardiner takes a shot just after halfway in Wellington's half with it lifting over the top.

82min

Wellington sub
5 Micheal Eager comes on in place of Sam Blackburn

85min

Stu Kelly sends ball blazing towards the goal, beats the keeper GOAL! 1-3!
Barry Gardiner Scores! 2 - 3!

89min

We'll have 3 mins of added time.

89min

Ref calls pental shot from the spot after Wellington player gets triped in the 18y Box
Luis Corrales takes the shot, Liam saves first kick but couldn't get to rebound. 2 - 4 !

90+3

Full time.