Hawke's Bay United displayed vast improvement on the previous week's 1-0 loss to WaiBop United. Their start was sharper and there was more cohesive urgency throughout the game.
However, Angell had every right to be concerned about his troops' lack of focus defensively immediately after scoring goals. He also agreed the hosts conceded possession too cheaply during the third quarter.
"At the same time I can't be more pleased. Our team, which has an average age of 20, is the youngest in the history of the competition to make the playoffs.
"I don't think we've been given the credit we deserve. Nobody expected us to achieve this and we've beaten some good teams to end up here," he added.
It was obvious Lovemore and co knew a win was required to regain third place after losing it to Waitakere United the previous night. Lovemore opened the scoring in the third minute after receiving a well-placed long pass from Finn Milne. Canterbury United equalised in the sixth minute when former All Whites midfielder Aaron Clapham succeeded with a penalty kick from the spot after a Saul Halpin handball. The visitors took the lead in the 13th minute when winger Aaron Spain scored after Clapham secured a loose pass from the hosts' defenders and sent Spain away.
Lovemore had his second with a cracker of a left footer in the 17th minute following some poor defensive work from the Dragons. Six minutes later, Tinsley switched from provider to scorer with his 25m curler, which beat Canterbury keeper Danny Knight.
Canterbury United dominated possession for the remainder of the second quarter with Clapham and Spain particularly impressive. It was a tribute to Hawke's Bay's defensive systems that Spain was shut out of the game during the second half.
Lovemore completed his hattrick with 13 minutes remaining, and captain and centreback Ross Haviland had the final say with a clever header in the third minute of additional time.
Considering Hawke's Bay United had 12 shots on goal, four more than the visitors, Lovemore was right in pointing out the winning margin could have been bigger. But he was still delighted.
"We've got Team Wellington now and we're definitely capable of doing it to anyone in this league," Lovemore said.
Canterbury head coach Sean Devine said his team paid the price for not closing down the Bay's kingpins.
"[There was] a bit of defensive inconsistency from us in the first half, we didn't get tight enough and let their key players turn. Lovemore, you need to be tight on him. If you give him too much space that's what he does - he punished us."
The other semifinal matchup sees Auckland City take on Waitakere United.
