Central United captain Michael Ridenton scored his first hat trick in more than 15 years of senior football yesterday to steer his team into the grand final of the national league.
The unlikely scoring feat for the 33-year-old defender came at just the right time for the Aucklandclub, who were locked 2-2 with Manawatu halfway through the second half of their minor semifinal.
Ridenton put Central ahead in the 72nd minute with a close-range header from a Daniel Aliaga freekick. In the 83rd minute, the same pair repeated the dose from a corner and five minutes later Ridenton made it three from the penalty spot.
The 5-2 final score would suggest something of a cruise for the Aucklanders but it was far from that. They started strongly and with goals from Aliaga in the ninth minute and Glenn Eie in the 14th they led 2-0 at halftime.
But then the home team seemed to relax and Manawatu's persistence paid off.
Jeremy Brown got past goalkeeper Ross Nicholson to head their first six minutes after the restart. Eight minutes later the visitors were level when Shane Cunliffe capitalised on good work by Ian Robinson.
Manawatu's chances dwindled in the 76th minute when their captain, Jeremy Seales, was sent off for a second bookable foul. But right to the end they were putting in the kind of effort which has brought them their best national league season.
Central will play Miramar in the Southern Trust grand final at North Harbour Stadium on September 8.
They can take heart from the form of elusive Aliaga and a midfield which was dominant for much of the game.
Meanwhile, by beating Manukau 1-0 on Saturday, North Shore have won the northern premier league and the right to join Wellington United and Caversham in the playoffs next weekend for a place in the national league.
The club hold a special meeting today to confirm that they will make the financial commitment required.
