Soccer: Bay Olympic hoping to beat odds

Photo / APN

The odds might be firmly against Bay Olympic when they run out to face Miramar Rangers in tomorrow's Chatham Cup final, but they can draw on a slice of history to help them out.

Blockhouse Bay (formed in 1948) and the foundation of Bay Olympic (formed in 1998 following the amalgamation with Green Bay-Titirangi United), broke new ground when they won the coveted trophy in their first final appearance in 1970.

That showpiece was notable for a number of reasons.

It was the first time two clubs from the same island had met in a final. All previous finals had been played between teams from the North and South Islands.

Blockhouse Bay, coached by the popular Bert Ormond, beat Western Suburbs 3-2 in a replay - another first - at Newmarket Park, the first final played outside Wellington.

The 1970 Chatham Cup, which attracted a then record 105 entries, was also the first sponsored cup competition.

Both teams have had their anxious moments en route to the 83rd Cup final. Miramar won their first two games 3-2, at home, over Wairarapa United and Lower Hutt City but were taken to extra time before progressing. They then came back from 0-1 at halftime to beat Napier City Rovers 2-1 away.

In the quarter-finals, and a third home game, Rangers beat local rivals Wellington United 3-1 before the trip to Auckland for their semifinal, a hard-fought 2-1 win over 2008 cup winners East Coast Bays after having goalkeeper Phil Imray sent off in the 19th minute and going a goal down.

They got back to 1-1 in the 36th minute - also with a penalty - before Campbell Parkin scored the 56th- minute winner.

Bay Olympic started their campaign with a 6-1 win over close neighbours Lynn Avon and had another comfortable win - 5-0 away to 10-man Takapuna. Back at home they beat Waitakere City 3-1 and followed that with a 2-0 quarter-final away win over Forrest Hill Milford, with Ross McKenzie scoring a goal in each half. Their closest call came in last month's semifinal when they eventually got home 4-1 in a penalty shootout over Caversham in Dunedin after being locked at 3-3 after extra time. Captain Craig Wylie was sent off after 66 minutes.

"It is exciting," said Bay Olympic coach Shane Knowles. "We are trying to tone down the excitement a bit. The guys are very focused on what is going to be the last game of the year."

Bay Olympic's form in the Northern Premier League has tailed off in the latter part of the season. In six round two outings - with their focus obviously on the cup - they have drawn two and lost four.

With 12 players boasting NZFC experience, Miramar have a decided advantage over Bay Olympic, who have around half that number.

Miramar coach Matt Calcott coached Western Suburbs to the 2007 final and was assistant coach the previous year when they beat Eastern Suburbs in a penalty shootout.

"We have got a number of players who have been here before," said Calcott. "That experience helps settle everybody's nerves. That experience is absolutely vital."

Chatham Cup final
Bay Olympic v Miramar Rangers
North Harbour Stadium
Tomorrow 2pm
Referee: Mirko Benischke

* Bay Olympic (from): Danny Robinson, Daniel Markham, Ross McKenzie, Leighton Wills, Joe Edwards, Colin Gardyne, Craig Wylie (c), Andrew Campbell, Tristan McCormick, Nathan Strom, Yoji Tanabe, Michael Mayne, Julyan Collett, Peter Norris, Ouadhah Ragued, Richard Beeston, Triss Clark.
* Coach: Shane Knowles.

* Miramar Rangers (from): Phil Imray, Tim Schaffers, Michael Woodside (c), Campbell Parkin, Sam Jenkins, Dominic Rowe, John Sutherland, Michael White, Wiremu Patrick, Allen Chote, Darren Cheriton, Brook Tozer, Jonathan Rowe, David Johnston, Keiichi Nguyen, Michael Eager, Michael Smith, Gary McDermott, Joel Wierchern, Joe Morris.
* Coach: Matt Calcott.