22 JUN 1998 , Edition 2, Page 14.
Ngaruawahia in final 8 after huge Cup boilover
By: ANDERSON Ian
Jeff Coulshed knows how to talk a good game of soccer.
But it’s unlikely he’s capable of scripting a Chatham Cup upset like the one his Ngaruawahia side produced on Saturday.
The Northern League division one side defeated their higher-rated Waikato rivals Hamilton Wanderers 1-0 to make the last eight of the knockout competition at their hometown of Centennial Park.
It was as if a fictional script of what should unfold on the slushy pitch over 90 minutes was shown to both sides before the match started and the players agreed to follow it to the letter.
The encounter had all the ingredients of the archetypal Cup shock result — conditions which lessened the skill factor, a below-par performance from the favourites, a harassing display from the underdogs, missed chances and a late winner courtesy of a defensive error.
That the outcome was possibly written before the first whistle was strongly hinted at when roaming Wanderers defender Paul Caton got in the way of a goalbound strike from the premier division side just 90 seconds into the game.
With Jonathon Perry dictating in midfield and Scott Pilcher looking dangerous down the flanks, it seemed a matter of time before Wanderers converted dominance into a goal but chances were continually squandered as shots and passes went astray and players went slipping on the greasy turf.
As the central defensive pairing of Marcus Trail and Aaron Kingi and rock-solid goalkeeper Neil Mouncher continued to excel against the strikeforce of player-coach Darren Fellowes and Paul Nixon, Ngaruawahia grew in confidence.
As the second half dragged on hope grew that the home team may just somehow sneak a dramatic winner.
Five minutes from the end of normal time and with a leg-sapping spell of extra time looming, Wanderers defender Craig Wallace sliced a free-kick delivered by Stu Watene* back over his keeper Grant Mawston and Kingi had the simplest of nod-ins from 5m
Coulshed later deservedly claimed some credit for organising his side’s game-winning tactics.
But there was an undeniable sense of fate overhanging.
* Johnny Bell delivered the free kick. Player mis-reported as Stu Watene. – Ed