Nelson Suburbs has avenged last year’s Chatham Cup semifinal loss to Auckland United by knocking the northern football side out in the quarterfinals today.
The Auckland outfit scored the opening goal 11 minutes into the first half, after the home side turned over possession.
Then its defence proved hard to crack with a header and a powerful drive from Trevin Myers both blocked.
When Seb Hickman was pushed off the ball, five minutes into the second spell, Trevin stepped up and stroked the penalty shot to the left of goalkeeper Freddy Marton, and into the net.
It was a season highlight for the American import, who had missed half a dozen games with a torn mcl knee injury.
“I was on pens until I got injured. Johnny Reynolds took over but he missed one last week, so on rotation it was my turn. It was good,” says Trevin.
Auckland United came back hard, but goalie Corey Wilson pulled off brilliant back-to-back saves, and then denied the visitors another three times.
After the last of his stops, Suburbs moved the ball quickly downfield, Trevin linked up with Johnny, who beat a defender one-on-one before angling his drive high past the keeper.
The American midfielder’s strike hit the underside of the crossbar and dropped in, to give Suburbs the lead, and the locals hung tough for the final few minutes to win 2-1 and make the final four.
It was Johnny’s 15th goal across the cup, and Southern Premier League competitions, in his first season with Suburbs.
“It was perfect timing. We just didn’t give up today. We kept going. Auckland played well out of the back field but, when you press them, they are eventually going to give up one of two opportunities. It is risk and reward,” declares Johnny.
“The boys were fired up. Skippy (coach Ryan Stewart) came in the changing room at halftime and said some of us had our heads down. 'But the game’s not over, there are 45 minutes left. You can easily beat these boys',” says Trevin.
“It was good to get a little bit of revenge over Auckland after last year. We are a better team now and like to play a lot more. We just have to believe in ourselves.”
Nelson Suburbs now has to wait for the semifinal draw, and the club is hoping for a home game, which would surely mean an even bigger crowd than the 500 plus today.
Fellow South Island side Cashmere Technical, which is unbeaten in the Southern Premier League, Napier Rovers and Auckland club Fencibles are also through to the last four of the domestic football showpiece.
