Two cracking finishes from Labu Pan – the first an absolute stunner – has seen FC Nelson come from behind to cause a major upset in beating Nelson Suburbs to advance to the next round of the Chatham Cup.
Nelson Suburbs were heavy favourites heading into the game on its home ground. Suburbs compete in the Southern Premier League, against the best club sides from around the South Island while FC Nelson play in the local first division.
But FC Nelson looked far from out of place and would probably have felt a little aggrieved as they headed into the half time break down 1-0.
Toshihiro Takiguchi and Jamane Wilson each created an opportunity early and the visitors could have been ahead if it weren’t for the sharp goal keeping of Suburbs’ Ewan Mullet.
When Suburbs did score, via a lovely cut back from Josh Moffat and lovely finish from Dauntae Mariner, it felt like all of FC’s hard work would be for nothing.
But in the 60th minute Labu Pan spotted Mullet off his line and chipped the goalkeeper from 40 metres out to level the game and give the visitors a glimmer of hope. That hope turned to pure joy just six minutes later when Wesley Olea placed a beautiful pass in the path or Pan who then slid the ball passed Mullet and into Suburbs goal, giving FC the lead for the first time.
From then on it was operation ‘hold on’ as FC Nelson thwarted a desperate Suburbs to claim a famous victory.
FC Nelson coach Paul Brydon says he couldn’t have been prouder of his team. “It was a great game of football, it shows the talent that we have in the region. I thought we started really well, we could have had a goal in the first 20 seconds. We said before the game that we just have to stick with them but I thought we actually were the better team in the first 15 minutes.”
When Labu hit his strike from the edge of the centre circle, Paul says his first reaction was “that’s world class”.
“You won’t see a goal better than that. To control it, get his head up and hit it like that... his vision is just amazing. He’s a very hard player to mark because he drifts around, he’s deceptively quick and brilliant on the ball. If he wanted to, he could probably play A-League.”
Paul also had praise from his young goalkeeper Charlie Calderbank who made several top saves. “He’s just turned 17 and he’s very brave for a young keeper, I’m so proud of him.”
FC Nelson will now go into the pot for selection of the next round of the Chatham Cup.
