College keep hold of Price Charity Cup
No one wants to play Nelson College at the business end of the season, just ask Richmond Athletic.
Richmond faced College in the days leading up to the New Zealand secondary schools football championships and ended up losing 3-0. The result saw them cough up the division one lead heading into the final round and ultimately cost them the title.
The two sides met again at Jubilee Park on Saturday with the Price Charity Cup at stake, and College, brimming with confidence after finishing third at nationals, were once again a class above.
College beat Richmond 3-1 with prolific striker Alex ConnorMcClean scoring a second half brace to take his season tally into the high 40s.
Thang Vanuk opened the scoring after 23 minutes, lacing a stunning freekick through the grasp of goalkeeper Mark Papps after Connor-McClean was fouled by David Bainbridge on the edge of the 18 yard box.
Connor-McClean extended the lead in a three minute second half blitz, wrong footing Darryn Cunningham and slotting the ball past Papps, before finishing off a brilliant move from Josh Cresswell, who stormed run down the right and whipped in a dangerous ball across the face of goal.
Richmond’s Gavin Peattie rose above the College defence to nod in a late goal from a corner, but it was the only time that goalkeeper Joe Robertson was even tested let alone troubled.
Captain David Maisey, who was one of many year 13 students that played their final game in College colours, said it was great to end a successful year on a high.
"The boys have all put in a huge effort and a lot of heart this year so it’s an awesome way to sign off the season and to leave Nelson College," he said.
"We played some good football up at nationals and we thought if we could continue that we would be too strong and we would be able to do it."
It was another disappointing result for Richmond, who have now finished runner-up in two competitions this year,.