Soccer: Nicholson's experience Central to success

Goalkeepers rarely get the chance to score a hat-trick but Central United's Ross Nicholson has the opportunity to collect a rare one on Monday.

The 30-year-old stopper already has two Chatham Cup winners medals tucked away in a drawer waiting for the day his wife will allow him to display them and the set would be all the more impressive with a third.

It has been a pretty long time between drinks, however, considering that his first two came in consecutive years in 1997 and 1998 and he's since appeared in two other finals, only to miss out in both 2001 and 2003.

"To win one was pretty special, to win two has been great and to have the chance to win another is amazing," Nicholson said in the lead-up to tomorrow night's final against Palmerston North Marist at North Harbour Stadium.

"As a kid I never thought I would get near it."

As a kid, though, Nicholson was at Gisborne City, a once-proud and successful club that was experiencing tough times in the lower grades. A move to Central United - "because of coach Allan Jones" - after only one season in the Gisborne first team does a lot for changing expectations.

Central have been one of the glamour clubs of the past decade, adding two national league titles in 1999 and 2001 to the two Chatham Cup wins.

Within their ranks on Monday will be a handful of veterans from those campaigns, including Nicholson, striker Paul Urlovic, defender Greg Uhlmann and co-coach Billy Harris.

They also have Heath McCormack - who won two Chatham Cups with University-Mt Wellington - and, if that wasn't enough firepower already, a squad stacked with players from the Auckland City side that picked up the inaugural NZFC title in March.

Although Central will go into the final as heavy favourites, Nicholson said they're mindful of the fact Palmerston North knocked them out of the Chatham Cup last season, as well as the fact Central have struggled in the Northern Premier League and sit a lowly eighth on the table.

"We had our eyes on the cup and have put out our best side each time," the veteran of 12 internationals for the All Whites admitted. "We wanted it this year but it doesn't mean we didn't take the league as seriously as years before, it's just we've got the majority of the Auckland City side and we've all had to take a rest at some time."

None of them will be taking a rest on Monday night, however, with so much at stake. With Nicholson in goal, their chances are in safe hands.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY