Otago United

Canterbury United

2

1

David Dugdale 49, 90+1 (pen)

Ryan Faichnie 7

by Rab Smith at Sunnyvale
nzfc.co.nz

A last minute penalty by Dave Dugdale snatched maximum New Zealand Football Championship points for Otago United at Sunnyvale, where coach Terry Phelan’s grabbed a 2-1 win over southern rivals Canterbury.

Canterbury was in shock when the final whistle blew, after turning on an impressive first half display and taking the lead with a sixth minute goal.

A pacey run by Michael Fifii blitzed through Otago’s square defence and the Solomon Island smashed a shot against Otago’s crossbar, which Ryan Faichnie calmly controlled and laced past keeper Liam Little.

Boosted by the early lead, Canterbury constructed some elaborate moves, pinging passes around, and in one right-wing attack even indulged in two Arsenal-like clever back heels which had Otago defenders chasing shadows.

Meanwhile, Otago favoured hitting longer balls forward, mostly aimed at centreback Bill Robertson’s forehead, and the big defender did what he does well, crashing through bodies and making effective headed clearances.

But halftime saw a different Otago take the field.

“They [Canterbury] died in the second half – we overpowered them,” said coach Phelan.

“Andy Coburn and Barry Gardiner just dominated the middle.”

Using their ‘not-so-secret, secret weapon,’ Otago launched a series of huge long throws by young striker Tom Jackson who had taken the place of injured Blair Scoullar.

Jackson’s rocket launched throws penned Canterbury in its penalty area, calling on some spring heeled saves and punches from keeper Chris Sinclair who started in front of regular Adam Highfield.

Early in the second half, Dugdale acrobatically twisted to flick a left wing cross past James Reichwein and equalize, as Robbie Deeley followed the ball in past a  desperate attempt to clear by centreback Robertson.

Otago might have gone further ahead as a parade of Jackson’s long throws were hurled into Canterbury’s goalmouth. Several goal bound headers – the best by Irish defender Colin Falvey – stretched coach Korouch Monsef’s defence.

It looked like a draw was certain as the closing seconds ticked by, but in an all-or-nothing charge upfield, the diminutive defender Rhys Henderson raced into Canterbury’s penalty area and drew a rash challenge from a Canterbury defender - referee Kerr, immediately pointed to the penalty spot.

With almost the last kick of the game, Dugdale slammed the penalty into Canterbury’s net, and the local crowd on its feet cheering, as Otago players did a lap of honour.

Coach Monsef said, “We should have scored more when we were in control in the first half. I thought the penalty award was a poor decision.”

He praised Robertson’s stout defence, and the inventive play of young Faichnie and Tom Lancaster.

Otago’s Phelan was calmness personified. “Its great to win, but we have a lot to work on in training. We still gave the ball away too cheaply.”

Otago United

V

Canterbury United

1. Liam Little (GK)

1. Chris Sinclair (GK)

2. Rhys Henderson

3. Matt Boyd

3. Tristan Prattley

4. Bill Robertson

4. Barry Gardiner

5. Andy Pitman

5. Colin Falvey

7. Ryan Faichnie

7. Robbie Deeley (out 76)

8. Garry McDermott

9. Tom Jackson

9. Tom Lancaster

10. Davie Dugdale

10. Jamie Smith

11. Andy Coburn

12. Michael Fifii

12. Aaron Burgess (out 72)

15. James Reichwein (out 60)

17. Tim Horner

21. Ben Harris

Substitutes

Substitutes

6. Mike Smith

16. Nick Wortelboer (in 81)

13. Callum Flaws (RGK)

19. Darren Overton (in 60)

14. Sean Brand (in 72)

20. Hamish Chang

15. Morgan Day

11. Gareth Tunbull (in 69)

18. Tom Conner (in 76)

1. Adam Highfield (RGK)

=goal

=yellow card

=2 yellow cards

= red card

0mins

Welcome to Sunnyvale, Otago's home base for this season. No Blair Scoullar for Otago today, but Canterbury look to have lost thier own goal-scoring midfeilder Stu Kelly for the season with rumours of the 60-cap Dragon parting ways with the club. Chris Sinclair replaces Adam Highfield in goal in a notable change from last week's 0-1 loss to Manawatu. A win here for either side would put them in touch with the top four.

7mins

GOAL! 0-1. Canterbury take the lead through Ryan Faichnie. An attacking Otago corner is cleared up field. Michael Fifii takes on Tim Horner and beats him then cracks a shot off teh cross bar with Faichnie on hand to slot the rebound.

30mins

Apart from a yellow card for Canterbury's Bill Robertson, the game has settled down with neither team really getting on top.

38mins

Andy Pitman is booked.

40mins

Otago on the attack, David Dugdale finds space to shoot, and attempts to bend it round Sinclair in Canterbury's goal but puts it wide.

41mins

Another Otago chance -this time from a free kick as Colin Falvey gets on the end of it but his header misses the target.

45mins

HALFTIME 0-1. Canterbury hold a slender lead over Otago in the SOuthern derby.

47mins

A Tom Jackson long throw almost evades everyone in the penalty area. Deeley gets a touch on it but it's wide

49mins

GOAL 1-1  A sweeping move down Otago's left hand side ends with David Dugdale getting on the end of a cross to level the scores

51mins

All Otgao at the moment

55mins

Colin Falvey gets a header on another otgao long throw but Sinclair is up to the task and saves well.

58mins

Canterbury are being peppered with long throws but scrambling clear.

63mins

Yellow card to Dugdale.

81mins

Confusion here. Canterbury are awarded a free kick, which Pitman tries to take early after asking for 10 metres. The ref appears to show him a yellow - which would be his second - but he's still on the field. ??

90mins

Otago hot on attack s we head into injury time

90+1

PENALTY! A flowing move from Otago ends when Rhys Henderson is fouled in the box. Dugdale to take.

90+1

GOAL! 2-1! Dugdale slots it! Surely that's it for the home side.

90+3

All over! Otago come from a goal down to beat Canterbury, and move up to fifth. Final Score Otago 2, Canterbury 1.