ASB National League
Dunedin, 2011-12
Otago Action
Second minute Kinghit by Cunningham 
Rab Smith
A second minute goal by Michael Cunningham, was the perfect Dunedin farewell present, as Otago United beat Canterbury 1-nil, in the ASB Premiership match at the Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin on Sunday. And Mike possibly set new standards in celebrating as he did a jig with wee Morgan...
After next weeks away match in Auckland, Cunningham and defender Tom Connor are heading for the Melbourne football scene, and Otago’s loss will be some Aussie clubs gain.
Otago coach Richard Murray admits that the pair will be a real loss, but still basking in the glow of winning the derby with Canterbury, he pointed out that his squad revealed hitherto unexpected depth.
‘ Sure, we will miss Mike and Tommy, but as they say, doors shut and others open. We have a bunch of ambitious young players in Otago and they are willing to run through brick walls to get in our starting eleven,’ he said.
And the whole Otago bench was airborne when team captain Tristan Prattley left footed a freekick at the Canty goalmouth, and from the rebound, Mike Cunningham laced Otago ahead with the Stadiums big digital clock still registering under two minutes.
That spectacular start might have been even better as Regan Coldicott – with blood running down his face – had a fierce shot blocked, then fellow striker Ant Hancock followed suit.
Canterbury’s route one tactic of feeding the ASB top striker George Stefendorfas with long balls, caused some concern when he wriggled free and forced one blocking save from keeper Peter Evans.
But that was about it for the the imported striker who was nullified by tight marking and athletic heading by centreback Matt Joy and later, much later Stefendorfas was red carded for a flailing elbow in the 75th minute, spotted by assistant referee Brent Best.
Referee Mirko Beneschke was the target of loud advice from both sides as he flashed six disciplinary cards, and then the red
The match may be remembered as Cunningham’s and Connor’s farewell, but their impressive performances were eclipsed by Otago’s Olympic hopeful’s Darren Overton and Tristan Prattley.
Both played exceptionally well. Centreback Prattley plugged any gaps at the back, with Joy casting a large shadow in front of goal, while Scottish defender Craig Ferguson and the mobile Connor worked the flanks with pace and accuracy.
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Overton was the fulcrum of so many Otago attacks. He led the line with stamina and pace, bought space with effective feints, and went close to scoring several times.
Otago keeper Peter Evans only had a couple of real saves to make, plus some high takes from set plays, in what was quite a comfortable afternoon.
Coach Murray also gave his bench a chance to show their worth, and academy youngster Joel Stevens’ pace and tight control promises much, as did the glimpse of striker Donnie MacGregor, and Roslyn’s young midfield stalwart Sam Mepham who pounded a fine header off the Canterbury crossbar.
Individually Canterbury has some clever players. Russell Kamo and Darren White showed out, but there were several flat performances that frustrated coach Braithwaite.
‘ We played so well last week,’ he said, ‘ but this was a poor performance.’
In contrast, Otago coach Richard Murray recently back from an U15 Youth tour to Singapore, and his offsider Andy Duncan were delighted at their teams hard work and discipline.
‘ We wanted to get into Canterbury’s face, yet still keep an attacking attitude. At times we had three forwards breaking, and as they drew Canterbury’s central defence out of position, some probing long passes had them struggling,’ said Murray.
‘ The real contest now for Otago will be during midweek training as players vie to earn the gaps after Cunningham and Connor play their last game. It’s a healthy situation and with the huge task ahead of playing Auckland away, next week. We will need to be firing on all cylinders,’ he said.
| ASB Prem | P |
W | L | For | Ag | GD | Pts |
| Auckland | 4 |
0 | 0 | 17 | 4 | 13 | 12 |
| Waitakere | 5 |
0 | 1 | 16 | 5 | 11 | 12 |
| Otago Utd | 5 |
1 | 1 | 8 | 10 | -2 | 10 |
| Canterbury | 5 |
0 | 2 | 10 | 4 | 6 | 9 |
| Wellington | 5 |
1 | 3 | 8 | 9 | -1 | 4 |
| H. Bay | 4 |
1 | 2 | 5 | 7 | -2 | 4 |
| Waikato | 5 |
0 | 4 | 5 | 18 | -13 | 3 |
| Manawatu | 5 |
1 | 4 | 5 | 17 | -12 | 1 |
ASB Premiership - Round 5, |
|
Canterbury United |
22-Peter EVANS (GK) |
|
2-Dan TERRIS |
3-Tristan PRATTLEY (c) |
|
3-Mark JOHNSTON |
5-Matt JOY |
|
4-Nick WORTELBOER |
6-Morgan DAY |
|
5-Tom SCHWARZ |
7-Regan COLDICOTT |
|
7-Darren WHITE |
9-Donnie MCGREGOR |
|
8-Aaron CLAPHAM |
10-Ant HANCOCK |
|
9-George SLEFENDORFAS |
11-James GOVAN |
|
10-Russell KAMO |
14-Sam MEPHAM |
|
12-Andy BARTON |
15-Darren OVERTON |
|
15-Julyan COLLETT |
18-Harley RODEKA |
|
16-Joe MURRAY |
20-Matt BROOK (A) |
|
17-Cole PEVERLEY |
21-Michael CUNNINGHAM |
|
19-Calvin OPPERMAN |
27-Tom CONNOR |
|
20-Ken YAMAMOTO |
23-Joel STEVENS (A) |
|
22-Adam HIGHFIELD (GK) |
25-Craig FERGUSON |
|
24-Jeremy WILD |
|
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