Soccer: Champions crash out of Cup

By Terry Maddaford

The hex Waitakere City have maintained over Central this season continued at Fred Taylor Park yesterday when they tipped out the Chatham Cup soccer holders 2-1 in the fourth round of the competition.

But for the last 20 minutes Waitakere, ahead 2-0, seemed intent on helping the visitors back into the game. Central, led by man-of-the-match Michael Ridenton, got one back and with a little luck could have had a couple more.

City, the 1994-95-96 winners before Central took the coveted trophy to Kiwitea St in 1997-98, could now go all the way.

Their main obstacle might be Dunedin Technical, the sole South Island hope after seeing off Halswell 4-1 on Saturday.

Also through are Bay Olympic, who emphatically dashed Auckland Grammar's hopes with their 5-0 win, and Tauranga City, who beat five-time champions Mt Wellington in a penalty shootout in other Saturday action.

They were joined in the quarter-finals by yesterday's winners Waitakere, Takapuna City, Napier City Rovers, Miramar Rangers and Olympic, who came from behind to beat Paraparaumu 4-2.

Waitakere needed just three-and-a-half minutes to go ahead against Central when Terry Torrens played through to Cam Miller who hit home from just inside the penalty area.

Fred de Jong could have equalised in the 19th minute, but was thwarted by a great Bruce Plunket save in the City goal.

Matthew Urlovic, who ran on to a superb ball from de Jong before his angled attempt, was also denied by Plunket, who deftly tipped clear.

Accepting that, the home side went further ahead in the 56th minute when Darren Young found Hamish Carmody on the edge of the penalty area, from where he struck a neat first-time volley.

Rather than flag it away, the depleted Central side, who also lost international Noah Hickey at halftime, rallied strongly and had City defending desperately.

City lost their defensive shape and captain Shane Gillies, sent packing by referee Derek Rugg for a second booking after a clumsy tackle, as Central charged.

However, Central's solitary reward came from an 84th-minute goal from Bruce Hill, who scored from close range after another de Jong set-up.

Takapuna City, a long time out of the limelight, booked their place with an upset 2-0 home win over North Island league side Melville.

After enjoying the best of the early play, Takapuna got the Taharoto Park faithful going when Ian Fearns opened the scoring after 29 minutes with a goal from close range.

A sloppy tackle on Fearns earned the home side a 63rd-minute penalty. Paul Hobson's initial strike was blocked but he scored from the rebound.

Tauranga City were 1-1 inside 15 minutes against Mt Wellington at Wharepai Domain.

With no scoring in the next 105 minutes the game was eventually decided in a penalty shootout, with City winning 4-1.

Napier, with goals from Jeremy Brown, Robbie Parker and David Batty, saw off Hamilton Wanderers 3-0 at Park Island to ensure their place in today's quarter-finals draw.