Dragons fired up for derby

Captain Aaron Clapham says Canterbury United are treating their second southern derby as a mustwin game after dropping points in the first one.

The Canterbury Dragons play in Dunedin tomorrow against Southern United after being held to a 2-2 draw by Tasman United in Christchurch in the opening round of the Stirling Sport Premiership last week.

‘‘This is a game we’ve certainly targeted three points from, especially after last week,’’ Clapham said.

‘‘There was a lot of disappointment around the result and the performance as well. We want to set things right on both fronts this weekend.’’

Canterbury coach Willy Gerdsen will make a call on Dan Terris’ fitness after the final training session. The veteran defender is nursing a foot injury and Gerdsen has given young striker Roddy Lockhart, who made his national league debut off the bench last week, some study leave.

But Western’s Daniel Thoms, who is also in line for a debut, joins the squad after a calf injury.

Gerdsen said Canterbury had ‘‘eight local players’’ in their squad, ‘‘the most in the league’’ and was pleased that young players such as Lockhart and Thoms were emerging from the Mainland Premier League.

The second-year Dragons coach said Dunedin was ‘‘always a tough place to go’’ and Southern United were stronger this year after adding ‘‘five Irish imports who all played for the same club’’.

Clapham, who opened his season goals account with a penalty against Tasman, said southern derbies were never easy and the Dragons would have to be ‘‘up for it, physically’’.

But he said it was always a pleasure to play under the roof at Forsyth Barr Stadium. ‘‘It’s a great little stadium with a great surface and a good atmosphere.’’

Clapham, who is playing in central midfield alongside Gary Ogilvie and Andre de Jong, said the Dragons ‘‘had enough chances last week to win a couple of games, especially late-on, and their goals came off a couple of turnovers in dangerous areas’’.

The 29-year-old believes the Dragons have a stronger squad than last year and they should win in Dunedin if they converted more chances and ‘‘reduced those mistakes’’.

But Southern deserved renewed respect.

‘‘We played them in pre-season and they definitely looked a more organised, stronger side than last year - they’re a good, competitive side.’’

Southern lost 1-0 at Hamilton Wanderers last weekend, but new Irish coach Paul O’Reilly was pleased with the second half performance.

He said they would ‘‘try and take the game to Canterbury’’ on Sunday and would ‘‘have a right go’’.

Meanwhile, Clapham likes the look of this year’s premiership with two extra teams added.

‘‘I’ve been saying for a long time that we need to be playing more games, and it seems to be moving in that direction.

‘‘Ten teams is a great start and hopefully it will lead to three rounds so we get more regular high-level competition.’’