Soccer: Chasing underdogs glory

By TERRY MADDAFORD

If the young and relatively inexperienced Melville United side can overcome nerves, plus the vastly experienced University Mt Wellington defence and a journey away from their comfort zone, they can win tomorrow's Chatham Cup final at North Harbour Stadium.

There is little to suggest this will be a one-sided romp as seen in the past few years when Central United, Dunedin Technical, Waitakere City and Napier City Rovers have scored four or more goals and won by big margins.

It is unlikely, too, to be the goalfest as seen two seasons ago when Uni-Mount and Central finished 3-3 before deciding it in a shootout or when Central beat Dunedin Technical 5-2 three years earlier.

In reaching the final of the Bluebird-sponsored cup, Melville and Uni-Mount have played six games. They have both conceded just four goals and never more than two in a game. Melville have scored 22 including their shock 5-0 quarter-final win over six-time cup winners North Shore United. Uni-Mount have scored 18.

Aided by four home games and another, the first round tie against Claudelands Rovers, in Hamilton, Melville coach Paul Nixon and his team have made the most of their good fortune.

In their only "real" away trip, they added Central United to their list of national league scalps having seen off Tauranga City and North Shore as well as former league/cup giant Waitakere City.

But Uni-Mount have had just one game at home the second round clash against five-time winners Eastern Suburbs. Since then they have played at Mt Albert Grammar, Tauranga (against Greerton Rovers), Christchurch and Lower Hutt where they conceded two before beating Lower Hutt City 3-2 with a Joe Waugh golden goal.

The goal-scoring battle between Waugh and Melville's Steven Holloway could well decide the outcome.

In a surprise move, Nixon has opted to play Stewart Watene off the bench preferring to start the experienced Gordon Glen-Watson. In another change from the team who beat Central 1-0 - thanks to a well-taken Watene goal - in the semifinal, Bulgarian Vladimir Yugov will start up front in place of Daryl Gibbs, a reversal of their roles in that game.

"All the club are looking forward to the special day on Sunday in what we expect to be a great advert for soccer in New Zealand," said Nixon, who shares the coaching duties with another former international Declan Edge.

"We are confident the team will put on a good display."

Uni-Mount coach Lee Root can call on some experienced players with Andy Brown, Kara Waetford, Sean Douglas, Paul Bunbury, Craig Ashton and Heath McCormack among those who have "been there, done that".

He will not name his final squad until tomorrow, but Root is hoping they will have recovered from minor knocks picked up in last week's premier league clash with Glenfield Rovers.

He is well aware of the decided edge he has in terms of experience at this level and will back his club's bid for a record seventh cup triumph with that.

The curtainraiser, the Uncle Tobys women's Knockout Cup final between Ellerslie and Lynn Avon is promising.

Tony Sibley, in his first year as Ellerslie's coach, has the chance for early glory at this level.

His team has already thrashed Lynn Avon in their only league clash this season. That advantage could be crucial as they chase a second cup win following their 1-0 win over Lynn Avon two seasons ago. Lynn Avon got that back a year ago with their 5-3 win in a penalty shootout after an absorbing 0-0 draw.

Knockout Cup final teams.

ELLERSLIE: Stephanie Puckrin, Kristy Hill, Saskia Bullen, Kim Rowney, Maia Jackman, Dana Humby, Zoe Thompson, Margot Bowker, Vicki Rainbow (c), Vicky Butterworth, Zoe Albon. Subs: Jen Puckrin, Leah Tagaloa, Adrienne Heslop, Bianca Mori.

LYNN AVON (from): Yvonne Vale, Jennifer Carlisle, Melissa Ray, Terry McCahill (c), Jill Gilmore, Dana Heiford, Kirsty Yallop, Rebecca Parkinson, Amber Hearn, Sara Clapham, Amanda Crawford, Rachel Doody, Hayley Moorwood, Nicola Vincent, Michele Keinzley.

Kick-off: 11am.