Soccer: Semis place comes at cost

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Football is not just about skill and scoring goals. Discipline can play an even bigger role in deciding winners and losers.

Yesterday's Chatham Cup quarter-final at Central United's Kiwitea St ground was one such example.

Defending cup-holders University Mt Wellington kept their season, and hopes of a record-breaking seventh cup triumph, alive with their 3-1 win over Central - but at a cost. They will be without Craig Ashton for the semifinal and, if they make it, the final.

Thirty-one-year-old Ashton was sent off in the 74th minute after fourth official Derek Rugg intervened over an incident in which Central's Miro Major was also booked.

Ten minutes later, and seconds after he was warned by referee Ian Walker over a midfield incident with Uni Mount captain Paul Bunbury, Central's Daniel Aliaga was also sent packing for shoving Toby Kroon. He will now miss the first two games of next season.

Central player-coach Michael Ridenton, bruised after being bundled into the perimeter fence early on by Bunbury, could not believe Aliaga's actions when his side was trailing 2-1 and pressing for the equaliser.

Put simply, ill-discipline cost Central theirchance.

They also had goalkeeper Ross Nicholson booked in the 70th minute when he brought down Andrew Griffith to concede the penalty, which Bunbury smacked home for a 2-1 lead. Nicholson may well have seen a card of a different colour had Griffith been heading towards the edge rather than the middle of the penalty area.

Kara Waetford had given the visitors their eighth-minute lead when he watched the ball lob over Nicholson and into the Central goal. A minute later Waetford was booked and could be in danger of missing the June 30 semifinals.

Central got back to 1-1 in the 38th minute when Michael Quirk ran on to a well-struck Nicholson goalkick, beat the pressing forward and square Uni Mount defence and lobbed home from long range, giving goalkeeper Sean Dowling no chance.

Three minutes into added time, Stu Roberts also ran on to a long ball, drawing Nicholson before firing the ball between his legs for 3-1.

Uni Mount are joined in the last four by Tauranga City, Napier City Rovers and Miramar Rangers.

After Tauranga's Brett Derry had given his side their 23rd-minute lead, Scott Pilcher scored either side of halftime to complete their 3-0 home win over non-league Bay Olympic.

Napier, beaten by Miramar in the league final, kept their cup hopes alive with their 1-0 win over Manawatu at Park Island.

Leon Birnie's 19th-minute goal was enough for a place in the semifinals.

Two goals each from Graham Little and Simon George set up Miramar's 7-1 win over Halswell in Wellington after Rangers had led 3-1 at halftime.

The semifinals draw will be made on television tomorrow night at halftime in the World Cup game between Japan and Turkey, at which Auckland linesman Paul Smith will be in action.

* Favourites Lynn Avon beat North Shore 6-0 in their quarter-final of the Uncle Tobys women's knockout cup. They will play Christchurch's Nomads away in the semifinals following Nomads' golden goal extra time winner over Marist (Wellington) yesterday.

In the other semifinal, Ellerslie, 3-0 winners over Takapuna, will be home to Taradale, who beat Claudelands Rovers on penalties after a 0-0 draw.