Otago Ten Men Superb A sending off by referee Mirko Benischke, after only 40 seconds, reduced Otago United to ten men, in the ASB Premiership match won 2-1 by Waitakere United at Tahuna park yesterday. Defender Tom Sadd was penalised as he fouled the fleet footed Dakota Lucas on a run at goal. Despite Tom Connor’s presence nearby, Benischke judged Sadd to be the last defender, and reached for a red card.
In a farcical situation, the referee then went over to one Assistant. then across the field to FIFA Assistant referee Brent Best, while the crowd waited see if there were other opinions.
But there was no real discussion over the foul tackle. It seems that referee Benischke had forgotten his disciplinary cards, and after borrowing some from assistant Best – he trotted back over to the scene of the original misdemeanor and flourished a red card that barely matched the colour of his face. Exit defender Sadd, and up stepped Waitakere marksman Allan Pearce who rifled in a superb free kick to put the league leader 1-nil ahead. Down to ten men, Otago which was already without Andy Coburn, Tim Horner, Alistair Rickerby, and Ant Hancock, faced an uphill battle against coach Neil Emblen’s top side which has now clinched the Championship. It took another 20 minutes before Waitakere pressured a penalty that Pearce laced past the fingers of keeper Adam Highfield.
Waitakere did hit the woodwork twice, and were a smooth unit full of pace and guile, but Otago’s defence, superbly led by Tristan Prattley and with Tom Connor in dynamic form, did not give a millimeter. Ploughing a lonely furrow in attack Chris Anderson held the ball up gave respite, and veteran Paul Seaman and James Reichwein slammed on tackles in midfield Morgan Day had flashes of real class, James Govan never stopped running, Throwing caution to the winds in the last quarter, coach Malcolm Fleming brought on assistant coach Aaron Burgess, and with a tail wind, the striker added some menace to Otago’s sporadic attacks. Burgess hit the jackpot with a typical opportunist strikers goal, after keeper Danny Robinson could only parry a shot from Anderson - and Burgy rammed in his 94th minute goal, which epitomised the valiant never say die effort by Otago United. Coach Fleming said, ‘ Against the best team in the country, we could say we won the second half 1-nil with just ten men. A superb effort. I am proud of them.’ Coach Emblen smiled wryly and said,’ We came to win and did that, but Otago frustrated us, and defended very well despite having ten men.’ ‘ I prefer to concentrate on our performance. Ryan DeVries and Dakota Lewis were our stand outs, and I am delighted that we have gained 36 points, and beaten the old record. Delighted.’
FSouth FUTSAL Day Two : ended in disappointment. Red Sox Manawatu beat Christchurch in the first game of the day which meant we needed at least a point against Wellington to progress. FSF then missed an open goal, scored, hit the post and missed a one-on-one but it wasn't to be our day and the final score was 3-1.
|
Highfield was captain for the day, and went on to play a key part in denying Waitakere any other goals. The big keeper did it all. 
big Liam Lockhart grew another foot, Harley Rodeka clocked up miles, and substitute Sam Mepham never gave in, but once again, failure to retain better ball possession cost immense energy.
After a cagey start we carved out some good chances but found their keeper in impressive form. 2mins before half time they scored on the rebound leaving us an uphill task for the second half.