The Star: September 07, 2023

The Star Thursday September 7 2023
24
SPORT
Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz
United on verge of
doing the double
• By Jaime Cunningham
WINNING THE Chatham
Cup for the first time since 1991
should be more than enough
motivation for Christchurch
United when they face Melville in
the final on Sunday.
United suffered their first loss
of the season over the weekend,
going down to rivals Cashmere
Technical 3-1 in the final round
of the Southern
League.
Head coach
Paul Ifill (left)
said Technical
was a good test
for his team as
they prepare
to take on the
Hamilton side in the final at
North Harbour Stadium.
“Obviously it was disappointing
to lose against our big rivals
(Technical) but, ultimately, I’m
pleased that we go into the final
with a full squad to pick from
(and) no injuries or suspensions,”
he said.
“(The loss) was a timely
reminder that we’re not invincible
and the players are fully-focused
on bringing the Chatham Cup
trophy back to Christchurch.”
United go into Sunday’s match
with the Southern League title
already in the bag.
Melville were runners-up in
2003 and 2019. They finished
fifth in the National League last
season.
United were unable to finish
their Southern League campaign
unbeaten on Sunday after
Technical started with a bang
when Luke Tongue scored in the
11th minute.
United striker Eddie Wilkinson
(right) found the back of the net
for their only goal, while Lyle
Matthysen and Lachie McIsaac
scored for Technical.
United playmakers Wilkinson
and Sam Philip, who won the
league’s golden boot, will expect
more minutes in the final after
being subbed off early against
Technical.
United and Technical will meet
again in the English Cup final on
September 16 before the National
League starts next month.
Meanwhile, Hurley Challenge
Shield holders Coastal Spirit
claimed third-place on the league
table with 31 points, despite a
5-0 loss to Dunedin City Royals
over the weekend. Ferrymead
Bays edged out Green Island 2-1
to finish on 29 points, level with
Dunedin, but in fifth due to their
negative points differential.
A late onslaught of goals in
Nomads 3-0 win over Selwyn
United meant they finished
seventh for the second season in
a row.
It has been a much-improved
season for Nomads who racked
up seven wins compared to
four last year. Promoted FC
Twenty 11 could not cap off
their season with a win against
Nelson Suburbs, going down 3-1.
New World men’s premiership
champions University of
Canterbury will take part in
a series of playoff games to
determine who will get promoted.
Meanwhile, Technical’s
women’s team wrapped up the
Reta Fitzgerald Cup by defeating
FC Nomads 4-0 in the final on
Sunday.
•Tickets for the Chatham
Cup (4pm kickoff) final can
be bought at Ticketek for
$15. Children under-16 are
free
SOUTHERN LEAGUE FINAL TABLE
1. Christchurch United (49)
2. Cashmere Technical (42)
3. Coastal Spirit (31)
4. Dunedin City Royals (29)
5. Ferrymead Bays (29)
6. Nelson Suburbs (25)
7. Nomads (23)
8. Green Island (16)
9. Selwyn United (10)
10. FC Twenty 11 (6)
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