Footballsouth Premier League

 

Goals and Gulls at Tonga
Rab Smith

Anyone who saw that Hitchcock movie, ‘The Birds,’ would not have been happy at Tonga park, as players dodged between gulls during the game.

Of course it may have been a secret plan of Birchie’s to scatter crumbs on the pitch, and if he did – it worked as Caversham beat Dunedin Technical 5-1 to knock them out of the Chatham Cup.

The combination of Shags, Petrels, Gannets and Boobies may not be seen at Culling, so perhaps home advantage did work for coach Steve Fleming’s team.

And after both sides had tried a couple of long range shots, it was Caversham that found gaps to exploit in Tech’s defence.

Back from the US, Tom Jackson scored against Northern on Saturday, and doubled the dose against Tech in the Cup.

That most dangerous occasion – when Tech played the ball out of defence – then lost possession, saw the fleet footed Jackson counter attack, fly through and slide in goal number one after 27 minutes.

Tech battled away, but looked less than steady, and in coach Mike Fridge’s words,’ We were a bit hesitant, and overall did not play well.’

Yet James Wagett did his best to open the match up, when he sidestepped a low shot from Al Rickerby which ended up in Cavy’s net. ‘James, the Cruyff turn was not meant for goalkeepers…’

Made for excited noises coming out of dressing rooms during the break, with the score even at 1-1.

It was the Prodigal son Patrick Fleming that calmed his Dad’s heart down, as he chested then laced a cracking goal past keeper Cam Burns to regain the home lead at 2-1.

Still the maroon crew pushed forward, Judder getting behind defenders and once almost past keeper Waggett. But generally. Tech’s attack lacked sharpness, despite some supercharged runs by Rickerby and Flaws

Problem was – the final pass, so often overhit or sliced wide, letting Caversham off the hook.

Blair Scoullar showed strength and skill, as did Aaron Burgess but on the heavy ground neither achieved warp speed.

Cavy’s new guys looked the business. Dave Butler had pace and poise, centreback Tom Schwarz played it simple and sensible, as did Tom Powers.

Caversham frontrunner Jackson struck again with an acutely angled shot in the 67th minute, and Technical’s shares dipped lower when Matt Scoles had to take over from the injured keeper Burns.

At that stage Caversham played some superb football, raking diagonal passes, clever running off the ball, and several goalscoring chances that might have produced more than those eventually scored by Darren Overton and Ant Hancock.

Typically Technical battled to the last with Andy Coburn and George Milne competing in midfield, and fullback Tristan Prattley eager to push forward.

But the defence lacked composure and struggled to achieve a steady platform from which to set up attacks.

Of course Tech was without fullback Nick Dale who was injured at the weekend in Queenstown, and new signing Tim Myers was not eligible for Cup play.

But Caversham did not have Robbie Deeley who sustained a stomp on the back of his hand which broke a bone, and required surgery. He could be out for another fortnight.

Coach Steve Fleming rated his side as having played ‘smart’ football in the wet conditions, and reckoned it to be the best standard set this season.

Pic left Gull and Jacko celebrate..

In Invercargill, Roslyn-Wakari won 5-nil over South End Utd thanks to goals by, Tim Mather, large Dave Shaw, James Watson, Peter Rae, and Mike Cunningham. Score at HT was 3-nil.

The game at Memorial was tighter than expected but Mosgiel beat Green Island 2-1, goals from Dome Vetisse and Morgan Day, while for the Island Gordon Gudd-Anderson hit the net.

In Timaru, Northern Hearts won 3-2 over Invercargill Old Boys who had the biggest trip of the day.

The next round of the Chatham Cup will be played on 19 June.

Not only Gulls can FLY !