Kenny dreams of cup glory
by Geoff Young (edited)
Metro, top of the Northern Premier League on goal-difference, takes on holder Central United in the semifinals at United’s Kiwitea St home today, with the other semifinal at the Caledonian Ground, where the southern hope, Dunedin Technical, tackles Cup giant-killers Ngaruawahia United.
Roger Brooks, Dunedin Technical’s coach, realises Ngaruawahia is the darling of the competition – but would never swap places.
“They’ve had all the publicity and we’ve hardly been mentioned,” Brooks said. “But I prefer it that way. I’d rather be playing Ngaruawahia than be drawn away to the fabourites like we have for the last two seasons.”
Brooks is expecting a bumper crowd at the Caledonian, with all but striker Rodney Fleming (ankle) fit.
He has had his spies giving Ngaruawahia the once-over. “My assistant Darren Melville lived in Hamilton and played for Waikato United for 10 years,” Brooks daid. “We’ve spoken to people up there and have a fairly good idea how they play. We know they are well organised at the back and are good at frustrating sides.”
Ngaruawahia’s Saturday afternoon activity in its Dunedin hotel will be cheering Waikato in its attempt to regain the Ranfurly Shield. “Whether they win or lose it will be an inspiration for us,” United coach Jeff Coulshed said. “If they win it will be a happy omen and if they lose we’ll try extra hard to win something for Waikato on the weekend.”
Coulshed said when the club knew it was going to Dunedin there was disappointment. “But we’ve had a great three weeks waiting for this. The publicity has been great and the whole region is loving it,” he said. “If we’d drawn Metro or Central it would just be another trip to Auckland. But for some of the lads, they’ve hardly been out of Ngaruawahia.”
Coulshed’s squad will be at full strength after a number of players shrugged of aches and pains during the week. “No one’s going to miss this one,” he said.