Nelson Suburbs have powered into the final eight of the Chatham Cup with a convincing 5–0 win over Dunedin side Northern AFC at Saxton Field today.
After falling at the semi-final stage in Auckland last year, Suburbs have carried that strong cup form into this season, booking their place in the quarter-finals of the country’s largest knockout competition.
Suburbs coach Neil Connell says the side "loves a cup run".
“The boys come out quickly, put them under pressure, got a goal reasonably quickly, and that made it really difficult for them, so really happy. It was a really good performance.”
And Suburbs booked their place in the next round amid horrid conditions at Saxton Field.
Wind, rain and bitterly cold, the weather may have hinted at an advantage for the southern visitors. But Northern faced a gruelling journey just to reach Nelson.
After travelling by bus from Dunedin to Christchurch on Friday, the team stayed overnight before continuing north on Saturday morning. They were back on the road shortly after the match, heading to Christchurch again before returning home on Sunday.
Suburbs looked to capitalise early on any fatigue, and the plan paid off. A Northern handball from a Johnny Reynolds free kick gave the home side a penalty in the eighth minute, which Johnny calmly converted.
Fifteen minutes later, Johnny doubled the lead, finding the net from inside the top of the box to make it 2–0 at halftime.
With the wind at their backs after the break, Suburbs pressed for more goals, testing Northern goalkeeper Jonathon Tucker from distance, with both the keeper and the crossbar denying Suburbs early in the half.
The breakthrough came in the 69th minute.
A precise pass from Jack Carter split the defence and found Lennon Whewell, who finished from close range.
While Suburbs were made to wait for their third goal, they had not such delay for their fourth which came just two minutes later when Lennon turned provider, producing a fine cross for Trevin Myers to head home.
Jay Anderson rounded out the scoring in added time, sealing a comprehensive victory for the home side and rewarding the hardy supporters who braved the conditions.
Suburbs midfielder Cory Vickers was a standout in the game, controlling the midfield with his physicality and decision making.
“He was brilliant today,” Neil says. “We needed someone getting in there, being dominant and that's what Cory did today.
“But it wasn’t just him, I thought the whole team did well, everyone who came off the bench included.”
The draw for the next round of the Chatham Cup is expected to be made early this week.
