Canterbury United

Updated Table:

Did anyone watch the game? 

Would be keen to know how Chris James went on debut?

Here is how The Press saw the game:

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/99026817/st...

Looked good was subbed off late in second half.

Pretty sure he had the tightest, smallest and sleekest man bun seen at English Park.

I take offense to that.

Great come back by Canterbury

the Canterbury player who injured his wrist: did he actually break it? Hope not but it sure looked that way.

He wouldn't be the first to break his wrist on English Parks lush turf, would he Vim :D

Hi everyone, here is my piece on yesterdays game:

https://mainlandanalyst.com/2017/11/20/canterbury-united-3-vs-eastern-suburbs-afc-2/

I thought it was very generous of Eastern Suburbs coaching staff to donate their salad to the crowd at half time.

The fact that Eastern then went on to lose the game is more proof that karma does not exist

Broke his arm. In cast upto shoulder. Not a happy Chappie. 

Thought it was a good game, my 10yr old was a ball boy and I have to admit I was a little concerned at the language he might hear, but there was the usual surrounding of the ref on the odd occasion, but was generally pretty good.

I commented on here after the Waitak game how I thought the language and attitude to the ref was pretty poor, but this seemed a lot better.

On thing of note was when Zac Speedy made a blinding save from Hoyle getting down low to his left and pushing a ball that was going in around the post. Somehow the Ref and AR missed it and called a goal kick, everyone looked bemused, and of course Speedy who I'm sure would have loved to have received the plaudits for save said nothing as did his team-mates.

Well this is good news for them, not sure if its long term or just until USL pre seasons begin again in Jan/Feb. 

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/98876859/ne...

Yes, welcome home Francis. After the come from behind win against Eastern Suburbs the Dragons will be looking to keep Hamilton Wanderers pointless at home on Sunday before facing two games away - Team Wellington and Southern United then returning to English Park on 17 December to face Hawkes Bays United before the holiday break. 

Back to back win for the Dragons after they defeated Hamilton Wanderers 3 - 0 (HT 1 - 0) - James Pendrich a double and Stephen Hoyle the final goal. 

what position did Francis de Vries play because looking at that starting lineup, it was no short of defenders.

He played as CM/CDM, shielding the defence but also moved around the park quite a bit. Canty played very defensively at some points, and built through their defence

The Press report on the game: 

https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/sport/99260810/j...

Couldn't make the Wanderers game sadly.

Did the home fans get a free halftime feed from the Wanderers coaching staff? If not, why not: Eastern Suburbs have set a tasty precedent for every other visiting team to follow :)

Do not think so but I hear Ricki Herbert got plenty of 'curry' from some of the supporters on the bank.

Dragon's went down to Team Wellington 2 - 0 in the capital this afternoon - away to Southern United next Sunday.

so do we have an underperforming team, over hyped team, or no need to worry as we are 3 points off of top 4?

You should ask the guys that have played for the Dragons under Willy and given The dragons a miss this year, some going to other clubs.

You will find you have to add another item to your list. 

This team need to get to the final this season for it not to be a big fail on all the clubs management. 

Look at the amount of money being spent on players that would be lucky to get a run in some MPL clubs starting X1s.

Brock Messenger and Andre de Jong - both playing overseas, both headed home to auckland/eastern subs to play some summer football in nz. No real surprises there. 

Any other players from last year's squad playing for another national league club?

He left 2 years ago but Kilkolly is another who both went overseas and came back to the national league.

and he said this year he went to Team Wellington this season because he wanted to play Oceania Champions League

On the other side you've got Coey Turipa who left Tasman to link up with Gerdsen and Canterbury United again this season 

would be surprised if they get to the finals this season, they are a decent enough team, but don't have anyone that can score and now they've lost Clapham the option of scoring from set pieces seems to have gone as well

Clapham was the only person who took the penalties and set pieces that is why he scored from them.  Vadar is right you would expect the person to be taking the penalties to have a pretty high goal result from taking them - pretty logical really.

Since Clapham has left I have seen at least one goal at home from a set piece can't quite remember who it was (number 9?) but it was well taken straight around the wall and in.

There must be more to Clapham over the years than meets the eye for him to be 'so good' and not secure a decent professional contract.

James Pendrigh was the scorer from the free-kick.

Of the 62 goals the Aaron Clapham has scored for the Dragons, 26 are spot kicks.  

First away win of the season with Dragon's defeating Southern United 2 - 0- both goals coming after the back, Stephen Hoyle hatching on to a poor backs pass and a penalty to Futa Nakamura.

Thanks for the update AllWhites82 but what is up with the Dragons and their updates on their social media.  I know this has been mentioned before but why only update home games.  You either do the whole media thing properly or not at all!

Sadly some are in the 'not at all' class so bloody hard to get any updates some weekends. 

Deleted double post.

What has happened with 'The Press' with their write ups pre game day?   Looks like they have pulled the plug?

Their sports reporting is a joke unless it's rugby you want to hear about. No understanding of the local sports environment.

Sadly Fairfax media (The Press/Nelson Mail etc.) has stepped away from reporting local sports and cutting it from their online sites and also removing local sports reporters, instead focusing on International and National relevant stories. Sad, yes. 

I think what should happen moving forward is that each club/team be responsible for all its own media; press releases, match previews and reports, live stream, highlights etc. This would take away the reliance/investment of the league in Sky Sports and Fairfax or NZME and put responsibilities on the clubs instead! 

Yes new format / style which started last week, going forward less local reporting for games and just a national wrap for the league. This will also following into the winter leagues.

That's pretty criminal, who would have thought the local media would no longer report on local sport?All about cutting costs and mazimising profits.

One more reason not to buy the Press. Fairfax do themselves no favours

Good solid first half today.  Once Canterbury closed down the Hawkes Bay right side attack through number 7 they really showed some confidence in their play.  It was great to see good confident football.  Number 9 (James) looked strong for Canterbury sitting just above the defence will be a big loss when he goes.  Certainly didn't miss Clapham today and looked a better team than we have seen all year.

The second half Canterbury seemed to sit on the goals.  Still looked to push forward early in the half then left Hoyle stranded up front later on.  A good positive win to finish the year a win is a win. Enjoyable game! Good to see!