Soccer: Cup finalists turn clock back

Hoani Edwards (right) will be a key figure in today's cup final. Picture / Chris Skelton

Today's Chatham Cup final is uncharted territory for visiting Western Suburbs.

Forget that they have not won the coveted trophy in 30 odd years or that they go into the match as underdogs at the TAB. Look instead at their qualifying record - they have been in their comfort zone, playing all six cup matches at home.

How well the Wellingtonians travel and cope with the occasion may hold the key to whether captain Jon Harahap lifts the trophy after the match at North Harbour Stadium today.

Like their opponents, Auckland's Eastern Suburbs, Wests did not win their regional league but that cannot detract from their outstanding season in which they could still finish runner-up to Miramar Rangers.

In the cup they have scored 29 goals and conceded only two - one in the 2-1 extra time win they scored over another local rival, Stop Out.

In Jimmy Cudd they have a hard-working midfielder who can turn a game. He knows what the cup final is all about. In 2000 he won the Jack Batty Trophy for man of the match while leading Napier City Rovers to their 4-1 win over Central United.

But the visitors must turn the clock back.

Their more recent of two cup triumphs came in 1971 when they beat Wellington City.

"The 1971 win is still spoken about a lot at the club but it's like [the World Cup All Whites of] 1982. At some stage we've got to put that to bed," said coach Stu Jacobs.

"If we can go out and win the cup it would be the start of a new era. I guess our experience helps and if we play to our potential then I think we'll do pretty well."

In Cudd, Rupert Ryan, Adam Birch and Harahap, Jacobs can call on players who have the ability to perform on the big stage.

Eastern Suburbs finished third in the northern premier league - an effort best described as patchy given their six losses and three draws.

In Andrew Webber, and towards the end of the season, Leo Shin, Suburbs have proven goalscorers but they will need more than that today.

The experience of co-coaches Sean Douglas and Hoani Edwards will be crucial.

At 34 and 30 years respectively, they are the veterans in the side which has an average age of just over 23.

"For the club it's a very big occasion because a lot of people were around back in Eastern Suburbs' heydays in the 1950s and 60s," said Douglas who will play his third cup final after being in the losing Mt Wellington team in 1995 and the successful University Mt Wellington side who beat Melville 3-1 three years ago.

"We've just got to try and treat it as a normal game."

Eastern Suburbs last won the cup in 1969 - their fifth success which has them behind only University-Mt Wellington (7) and North Shore United and Christchurch United (6) on the all-time list.

Western Springs are up against it in tomorrow's Women's Knockout Cup final at Bill McKinlay Park.

Back in fourth place in the northern premier league - and 11 points behind second-placed Lynn Avon who they face in the final - Springs do not have the same experience either in their line-up or in terms of big games that their opponents can boast.

Playing their seventh successive cup final - having won the last four - Lynn Avon go in as hot of favourites.

That alone will be just the incentive Springs will need to have a go and perhaps pull off the upset of the season.

* YoungHeart Manawatu have vowed to fight for their place in the 2007-08 New Zealand Football Championship after being left off the list of invited clubs by NZ Soccer yesterday.

The remaining seven incumbents have been offered a three-year extension beyond the forthcoming season although the criteria have yet to be determined.

Manawatu and any other aspiring clubs will be able to apply for a spot in the championship.

Chatham Cup Final
North Harbour Stadium, today 3pm

Eastern Suburbs: Sean Dowling, Lucas Findon, Sean Douglas, Mark Webber, James Davidson, Matt Lear, Hoani Edwards, Geoff Vilabourouth, Matt Wallace, Andrew Webber, Leo Shin.
Substitutes (from): Richard Mills, Nick Smeeton, Shaun Easthope, Rob Spence, Nathan Christie, Michael Smith, Dan Jones, Rob Woolner.

Coaches: Douglas/Edwards.

Western Suburbs: Phil Imrey, Tim Broadhurst, Alec Wilson, Jon Harahap, Matthew Wilson, Michael Smith, Ben Feld, Rupert Ryan, Jimmy Cudd, Adam Birch, Paul Whitmarsh.
Substitutes: Chris Campbell, Sam Peters, Chris Chang, Moses Petelo, Chris Limmer.

Coach: Stu Jacobs.

Referee: Peter O'Leary.

Women's knockout cup final
Bill McKinlay Park, Panmure, tomorrow 1pm

Likely line-ups:

Western Springs: Bianca Mori, Jesse Verdon, Chelsey Wood, Hannah Valentine, Annabelle Bramwell, Poppy Binning, Leah Tagaloa, Katherine Robinson, Sarah Nelson, Holly Jones, Helen Collins.
Substitutes: Danielle Mcfadyen, Penny Chapman, Melanie Drumm, Rosie White, Nikau Hindin.

Lynn Avon: Stephanie Puckrin, Jenny Carlisle, Melissa Ray, Terry McCahill, Sam Selwyn, Rebecca Parkinson, Ria Percival, Kirsty Yallop, Katie Hoyle, Sarah Gregorious, Dana Humby.
Substitutes: Melanie Hansen, Anne Allen, Alisse Robertson, Kath Doubleday, Vicki Rainbow.

Referee: Leigh Perry.