Football: Striker ready for HB United starting berth

TECHNICALLY BETTER: Angus Kilkolly recommends a trip to the Republic of Lithuania for any Kiwi wanting to improve. PHOTO/DUNCAN BROWN.

STRIKER Angus Kilkolly made a brave call before the Hawke's Bay United football team's training last night.

"It shouldn't be too far away before everything clicks for us, maybe one game."

Some critics of the Thirsty Whale Hawke's Bay United sidemay question whether or not Kilkolly is qualified to make the call. After all, his 39 minutes of action as a substitute against Team Wellington last weekend was his first outing for the team since returning from a five-month stint with second division team FK Panevezys in the Republic of Lithuania. However Kilkolly, 20, was a spectator for the previous two rounds while he awaited his clearance.

"That first half against Waitakere is something we can get confidence from," Kilkolly said referring to United's Stirling Sports Premiership first round 3-1 win, a match in which the hosts were up 3-0 by halftime. The Napier City Rovers Central League player who strutted his stuff for Canterbury United in last summer's Premiership is hoping to be promoted to a starting role when United travel to Nelson's Trafalgar Park tomorrow to take on newcomers Tasman United in their fourth round clash. It's definitely warranted and could come at the expense of Sam Mason-Smith who didn't fire last weekend.

Kilkolly was the first Bay player to venture to Lithuania. He said he would have no hesitation in recommending the move to fellow Kiwis.

"It was a good way to challenge oneself. I was way out of my comfort zone because none of the players or coaches spoke English but I became quite independent and it helped develop my football technically."

"The style of football was a lot more technical, slower in tempo than back here but that's how European football is played. Being able to train six or seven times a week and being a fulltime footballer was a great experience.

His team finished fifth in their 16-team league and missed out on promotion to the first division. Kilkolly played 14 games, started in the first seven and scored a goal in his first match.

"The experience helped me grow as a person and develop as a player."

A painter's labourer with Gearey Painting when he isn't training or playing for Hawke's Bay United, Kilkolly has no doubt the Bluewater Stadium outfit can push for a top-four spot and then the title.

"The teams we have lost to are both top-four contenders. This week we are taking on a new team and one we should beat."

At the same time Kilkolly was expecting a tough encounter in what will be Tasman's first home outing of the season.

"They will be up for it and it will be exciting for us."

Quizzed on whether or not could it could be a similar outcome to United's previous away game this season against Eastern Suburbs when the host club's fans turned out in force for their first home clash, Hastings Boys' High School product Kilkolly replied: "No way."

As expected Hawke's Bay United coach Brett Angell received a one-game suspension after being sent to the grandstand by referee Hayden McCabe during last weekend's loss to Team Wellington after he overdid his protest of a penalty. His assistant Jamie Dunning will have the head coach role tomorrow.

Teams (likely):
Tasman United: 1. Codey Turipa (GK), 3. Jordan Swaney, 4. Cameron Lindsay, 6. Tyrrell Barringer-Tahiri, 7. Ryan Stewart, 8. Paul Ifill, 9. Ermal Hajdari, 10. Dylan Burns, 11. Alex Ridsdale, 12. Robbie Pearson, 13. Scott Gannon, 15. James Hoyt, 16. Daniel Allan, 18. David Maisey, 19. Tinashe Marowa, 20. Thomas Fawdry (GK)
Coach: Richard Anderson.
Hawke's Bay United: 1. Joshua Hill (GK), 2. Sean Liddicoat, 3. Kohei Matsumoto, 8. Finlay Milne, 5. Matthew Whatley, 6. Alex Palezevic, 9. Facundo Barbero, 10. Sam Mason-Smith, 11. Saul Halpin, 12. Ross Willox, 13. Ethan Dent, 14. Martin Canales Ramos, 16. Angus Kilkolly, 17. Fergus Neil, 19. Nile Walwyn, 26. Ruben Parker (GK).
Coach: Jamie Dunning.