Canterbury United

Canterbury United won 2 - 1 over Phoenix A, was 1 - 1 at HT. Roy Krishna put Nix ahead after 14 minutes with Michael White making the most of a defensive error to level a minutes later with Russell Kamo scoeng the winning in the 55. Game started in a heavy downpour. NOt a bad side for the Nix with included Brindell-South, Rufer, Krishna, Boxall, Hicks Ridenton and Watson. 

A good work out for Canty United with most of the bencn warmers having a start Pieter-Taco Bierma in goal for Canty pulling  off a handful of great saves, with about 200 people showing up.

Thought it was a good open game from both sides despite the conditions.

Russell Kamo, Julyan Collett and Cory Mitchell were the only players from last weekends starting eleven, that also started this match.

So was in reality a reserve vs reserve game.

Michael White looked good and put in an energetic, committed display from the start,  and was unlucky not to get at least another goal.

Also liked the look of Kris O'Neill playing at left-back. He was solid throughout, frustrating the Phoenix right sided attacks and made good space up the left wing on attack for Canterbury.

The attendance was poor, only 200 coming out to watch a game only 10 minutes across town, when four of us travelled down one and half hours from North Canterbury to watch.

What no Ginger one??

Only Cory for Canterbury. Aaron was not even on the bench.

I enjoyed it, despite not being in my favourite position on the other side.  Second half was a bit dire with many wayward passes, however I liked how the Phoenix were super accurate with their movement and interaction. 

Yes disappointing not many there, however it was a Wednesday night, it was pissing down, and it was Reserve on Reserve.

Come on down on Sunday if you wanna see some sun, football, and banter on the bank. 

I was impressed with Cantebury's quality when I saw Canty v Southern the other day, i thought Canty played nice football, perhaps it was because it was against Southern.

But the other lads on the forum (the Team Welly guys) really gave it to Canty and say they play terrible football and hoof it non-stop...

Are they right?

Chatham Cup final - local team played hoofball. Yes they won and they pressed well, but in possession: hoofball.

No they are wrong.

Canterbury usually plays an entertaining, fairly patient passing game.(sometimes to uneducated shouts from the crowd of get it forward, don't pass back.) With their midfield quartet of Mitchell, Kelly, Morrison, and Clapham they have a strong creative passing unit. They rarely just hoof it in hope and chase.

Russell Kamo hasn't got the speed to chase long balls all day. I believe the wind played havoc with the game at the weekend, so may not have been possible to play their normal tactics. But that's Wellington for you  ;)

Just heard JB has resigned from the board last year any truth in that Aw

Lol u are a wee green eyed wee man or women , hoofball.

I wish I knew that great football term when I was telling the lads to smash the ball up the park . 

If you win by playing hoofball then keep playing it i say. I love hooooofing it up for stu to chase 

i'm pretty sure i haven't been watching canterbury play hoofball

waibop on the other hand...

Waitakere fail to beat WaiBop so both CU and HBU have everything to play for. Hope lots of supporters turn out for the game. The O League beckons.

I'll be there.  Game on!

lost 1-2

what happened?

Well fook.

Canterbury started well and dominated early. HB then scored with their first and possibly only attempt in the first half.

HB were extremely well organised at the back, constantly having all 11 behind the ball.

Canterbury didn't take their chances today and HB did.

Ref Conger made some strange decisions at times and let a number of fouls particularly on Clapham go unpunished. Looked like he was not watching at times.

Also Keith B made a tactical mistake IMO, by subbing both Mitchell (at half time) and Morrison (in 2nd half) off, possibly going for the win, and consequently left a gaping whole through the middle.

So there goes a chance of top two and probably home final, and a must win now against Waitak. To even make 4th.

Also showed how important Kamo can be. Was missed up front today, mostly through his ability to hold the ball up in attack and offload.

I agree there are other Canterbury based players who can do the job but not in squad. Some of the squad selections are strange at times. This season why was Marsland and Bacon signed then discarded, and Bawdekar is pretty light weight in physique and ability ...

But Kamo does the job when playing.

who are the other locals who could step in for kamo?

i did notice that welbourne is no longer with the squad

at least last season nate knox was around to fill in for welbourne and kamo when needed

why was marsland, bacon or wellbourne signed then released? just shows that there's no other plan in place for when kamo is out injured/suspended. why not try something different and give yammamoto a go or the boy alex pac from western who has scored consistently in mpl. dan ede or wiremu peircy could do a job as squad players also but it seems imports from uk are instantly ahead of local lads. no wonder yammamoto moved to auk and the others appearing less and less in mpl.

I like Ken Yamamoto. He is skillful but also not physical enough. He came on he 2nd half , ended up playing mostly right to central mid.

Keith kept screaming at him to pick up his man and back track. Thought it was tough on him as he was thrown into an unaccustomed role and got bollocked all the time. He is a good wide attacking forward, but definitely not an option to play as a striker/target man, as Kamo does.

What other reason could it be? all 3 of boys that were mentioned not in squad have scored heap of goals in mpl but never given a chance

From my point of view today....  Hawkes Bay took the most of the opportunity they got in the first 1/2 totally against the run of play.  From then on, in Declan Edges most common saying, 'Canterbury lost their shape'.  There was too much room in the midfield and Canterbury's game fell away.  If Canterbury continued as they started they would have won the game.

Canterbury also (I can't believe I am saying this) definitely missed Kamo.  As they say you don't notice something until they are gone.  He is definitely worth his $ per game. 

could be his last game in charge if fail to qualify for play-offs.

i think that would be harsh

he has his weaknesses, but he has bought this team a long way

Well it's in your hands next week at Fred Taylor Paddock. Hope CU make the play-offs. Don't expect ACFC to let HBU have it easy in the last game, even though they've won the minor premiership. I think City will play a cagy game to preserve their gunpowder for the playoffs but they will also be in relaxed mood, which may be HBU's undoing as they'll be going all out.

They weren't the 3 I was talking bout!! pretty obvious it was pak, ede and peircy all scored heap of goals. try reading what is there and not what you wanna read!!