Soccer: Canterbury beat Wellington for final spot against Auckland

Canterbury United struck early and twice to beat Team Wellington 2-1 yesterday to book a berth in next weekend's New Zealand Football Championship final.

Defending champions Auckland City will be firm favourites to win the final on Saturday at Auckland but the Cantabrians proved they will be no pushovers after a quality performance at English Park in Christchurch yesterday.

All Whites Jeremy Brockie and Andy Barron were at the heart of much of the hosts' attack and it was them who put their side ahead in just the third minute.

Brockie's neat cross found Barron, who hammered home a shot from 20m out.

The second, killer goal came 10 minutes later when Andy Pitman found Stuart Kelly, who his shot past goalkeeper Dylan Hall.

Canterbury had the better of the rest of the half, not allowing the visitors to settle on the ball.

However, Bryan Little came close for Wellington several times, including being denied a close-range goal when he was ruled offside.

Canterbury's pressure mounted in the second half and they should have gone three up when Ben Sigmund blasted over the top from 6m out.

They were reduced to 10 men in the 73rd minute when Dean Tallentire was sent off for a second bookable offence.

Wellington took advantage 10 minutes later when second half substitute Dan Keat converted a Graham Little cross from close range.

They went close several times in the closing minutes, particularly through Raf de Gregorio, but couldn't find an equaliser.

- NZPA