Soccer: Central hope to sweeten bitter taste of losing

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Central United see tomorrow's national club championship clash with Chatham Cup holders Dunedin Technical as the chance to shrug off a couple of sour memories.

They lost 0-1 to Technical in Dunedin earlier in the season and on Wednesday they blew a 2-0 halftime lead in going down to Waitakere City 2-3.

"There will be some hard talking at training," Central co-coach Ricki Herbert said yesterday. "There are a couple of issues that need to be raised. The bottom line is that we have to be more consistent, especially at home."

While the club appears to have been stymied in their bid to sign Macedonian under-23 striker Blagoja Spirovski, they learned late last night that Kingz and New Zealand under-23 midfielder Noah Hickey has been cleared to play.

Across at Bill McKinlay Park, Ansett NZ Championship leaders University/Mt Wellington meet Nelson Suburbs in a game which could go a long way to deciding the eventual winner.

With Jeff Campbell set to return to the combined side, they will be confident of a seventh win for the season. Kara Waetford is out with injury but Andy Brown should be fit to play. He and Billy Harris will provide the experience in the Clive Campbell-coached side.

With Nelson's - and the competition's leading scorer - Commins Menapi in doubt, the home side have a golden chance to repeat the 3-0 win they scored in Nelson earlier in the season.

Bottom-of-the-table Metro face a tough away task against Napier City Rovers at Park Island.

Napier have injury worries with Robbie Parker, Martin Akers and Chris McIvor.

In a crucial middle-of-the-table clash, Waitakere City - equal on points with fourth-placed Manawatu - are away to Miramar.