Soccer: Double trouble for Waitakere

New Zealand Football Championship manager Glyn Taylor was struck off Waitakere United's Christmas card list following his about-turn which saw Richie Cardozo's supposed one-match ban doubled.

The decision to increase the ban to a second match has cost Cardozo, United's marquee player, the chance of playing against Canterbury United at Trusts Stadium on Sunday.

Cardozo was sent off by referee Peter O'Leary early in the December 10 match against Hawkes Bay United in Napier for retaliation after being hacked down.

Taylor advised the club of the automatic one-match ban a couple of days later.

Then he shocked the club by doubling the ban after receiving the referee's report, which cited the incident as violent conduct even though there was no contact between the players.

"Violent conduct incurs an automatic two-match suspension," said Taylor.

"The club [Waitakere] was advised of that."

The decision to invoke the second week was made by Taylor, NZ Soccer chief executive Graham Seatter and his deputy, Mike Kernaghan. Waitakere's appeal was dismissed.

"The decision to increase the suspension was made purely and simply on receipt of the referee's report," said Taylor, who said the decision was made irrespective of what was shown on television.

Film of the incident showed that no contact occurred between the players but moved commentator Brad Scott to refer to it as retaliation of the worst kind. Scott plays for Otago United, who were Waitakere's opponents the following week.

In an earlier game in the NZFC, Auckland City's Chad Coombes copped a one-match suspension when, on one yellow card, he hacked a player down, sending him crashing into sideline hoardings. Taylor, who was at that match, said: "I don't recall that incident."

The two situations again underline concerns from coaches about refereeing inconsistencies this season.

Even without Cardozo, Waitakere coach Steve Cain is hoping for a repeat of his team's last match before the break when they held on to beat Otago 1-0 away.

There will be real interest in Sunday's clash at Newtown Park where Team Wellington face Auckland City.

Wellington would have preferred an easier assignment. They were humiliated last time out in being thrashed 6-0 by rejuvenated Waikato FC, and Mick Waitt described his team's effort in that game as "gutless".

City beat Team Wellington 5-3 earlier in the season. They have won all four matches against the team from the capital.

The home side are likely to be without Dan Keat, who is poised to return to Blackburn Rovers for a second trial.

Riki Van Steeden is on the City bench after missing all pre-Christmas play. Nick Hyde and Luis del Monte, on holiday overseas, are missing from the City line-up.

Leaders YoungHeart Manawatu face a testing trip to Hamilton against a team who have won three of their four meetings.

Manawatu have an anxious wait as their influential Solomon Islanders Commins Menapi and Alick Maemae are in doubt.

Otago United, with home advantage, should repeat their earlier win over the struggling Bay side.