Soccer: Christie's chance to show he's still got it

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Tinoi Christie had a brief flirt with the All Whites, but after 15 games, went nowhere.

He now has a chance to write another chapter in his stop-start career.

As a key player for non-league North Shore, Christie has helped his club through to the Chatham Cup quarter-finals.

Tomorrow, at Allen Hill Stadium in Devonport against Southern Trust national league side Christchurch City, they chase a place in the semifinals to keep alive hopes of a record seventh cup triumph.

has scored 12 goals for North Shore this season.

No-one will be keener to add to that tallynte Today's only quarter-final will be played at Madills Farm in Kohimaramara, where five-time winners Eastern Suburbs meet 1999 winners Dunedin Technical.

Suburbs coach Peter Lepper is struggling to put out a full-strength team and holds no real hope of continuing his club's run at the trophy they last won in 1969.

The closest battle should be at Kiwitea St with Central at home to Napier City Rovers in a game which brings together the cup-holders, Napier, and the 1997 and 1998 winners.

Central will be as close to full strength as they have been all season.

University Mt Wellington continue their bid for a sixth cup victory at Bill McKinlay Park against in-form Manawatu.

Uni-Mount have lost Kara Waetford and Leigh Kenyon for the season through injury, but have newcomer Sanni Paolo to boost their attack.

* The Football Kingz will stay at Ericsson Stadium next season.

Ten of their 13 National Soccer League home games will be at the ground they used last season, two will be played at North Harbour Stadium, and the venue for the remaining match has still to be finalised. The kick-offs for the home games will be at 7.30 pm on Fridays.