19 JUL 1998 , Edition A, Page 10.
Kingi fires Ngaruawahia
By: RUANE Jeremy
AN Aaron Kingi goal three minutes from the end of extra time fired Ngaruawahia United into the semifinals of the Chatham Cup for the first time yesterday with a 2-1 victory over Premier League Bay Olympic.
The Jeff Coulshed-coached side from the Northern First Division lit up a gloomy Centennial Park after Brent Edwards had put the Aucklanders ahead in the first half.
But Kingi equalised in the 82nd minute for the underdog to bring about extra time in front of one of the biggest crowds seen at the ground in recent memory. With penalties looming, Kingi pounced again to keep alive United’s cup dreams.
Metro also advanced to the semifinals when it downed Ellerslie 3-1 at Albie Turner Field. Neil Harlock opened the scoring in the 29th minute when he stooped to convert a Willie Thompson cross.
Following a 38th minute fracas which saw two players booked and Metro substitute John Lawler sent from the bench on a linesman’s report, the home team struck again seconds before the break. Ellerslie failed to clear Harlock’s measured freekick, and Nigel Curties stole in to smash the ball home from under the crossbar. A third Metro goal clinched the tie six minutes into the second spell. Steve Nickson’s teasing cross was misjudged by Robertson, allowing Harlock to volley home for 3-0.
Ellerslie’s scorer was All White Gareth Rowe in the 65th minute, but it wasn’t enough to prevent Metro’s name going into Monday’s draw to made on Radio Sport after 3pm.
Central United continues its defence of the Chatham Cup with a tough quarterfinal at Kiwitea St today (2pm) against the Porirua-based Western Suburbs.
In the other quarterfinal today, Tawa, 11th place in the Central Premier, take on runaway Southern Premier leader Dunedin Technical in a match switched from Tawa’s Redwood Park, deemed unfit by Soccer New Zealand, to Kura St, Porirua (1pm).