Cashmere reach last eight; best to come, warns coach
Cashmere Technical coach John Brown reckons his side have only scratched the surface of their potential in the Chatham Cup national knockout competition.
The two-time defending champions moved through to the quarterfinals after beating fellow Christchurch side Coastal Spirit 3-1 in the round of 16 on Saturday.
Tech were in control for the majority of the game at their Garrick Park home, but will know tougher tests lie ahead in the remaining rounds.
Skipper Tom Schwarz netted again for Tech, scoring from the penalty spot just before halftime.
A classy finish from former All White Aaron Clapham in the 73rd minute, after excellent earlier leadup work from Stu Kelly, went a long way to clinching victory at 2-0.
Substitute Sho Mathieson made it 3-0 in added time, before Louie Bush pulled back a consolation goal back for Coastal, two minutes later.
Brown was satisfied to get the victory, but acknowledged Tech still had plenty of room for improvement.
‘‘We were a bit nervy. I think with the fact there’s a bit of pressure on the lads and the team, because people perceive us as the best team in Christchurch.
‘‘Once you get to the quarterfinals, it doesn’t matter who you play, it’s going to be class.’’
Injuries and unavailabilities have meant Tech have been unable to field the same starting 11 in successive weeks this season.
Given the depth in the squad, it has not affected them too heavily. They still sit top of the Mainland Premier League and are in the last eight of the Chatham Cup.
‘‘We haven’t scored as many goals as we have last year. We scored 100 goals in total last year. This year, we’re a bit behind that,’’ Brown said.
‘‘In saying that, defensively, we’re not conceding much. I think we’re still in single figures [for the season].’’
Tech have plenty of big game performers in their side, including Clapham, Kelly and Dan Terris, and they proved too much for a Coastal team, who had their best scoring chances in the second half, but could not convert.
Tech keeper Danny Knight made two important saves in succession, midway through the second half, when they led 2-0.
Brown said Kelly, who started up front, before later switching into his usual holding midfield role, was the best player on the pitch.
Fellow Canterbury United player Shawn O’Brien also had a strong game, while the back four of the Schwarz twins, Dan and Tom, Terris and Jeremy Wild were difficult to break down.
Clapham left the field injured with a corked thigh late in the second half, but Brown was optimistic he would be fine for their next game.
Tech will be joined in the quarterfinals by another South Island side, Dunedin Technical, who thumped Mosgiel 6-1.
Brown was unsure whether they would be drawn against their southern rivals, or whether New Zealand Football would use an open draw.
The quarterfinal round will be contested over August 8-9.
Coastal’s women’s side will compete in the semifinals of the national knockout cup, having overcome Dunedin Technical 4-1 in Dunedin.
Spirit couldn’t have asked for a better start with Mainland Pride striker Melanie Cameron finding the back of the net in the opening minute.
Midfielder Annalie Longo, back from the World Cup with the Football Ferns, then doubled their advantage on the half hour mark.
Another strike from Cameron had Spirit firmly in the driver’s seat at halftime, ahead 3-0.
Dunedin Tech dragged a goal back from the penalty spot, but a second from Longo off the resulting kickoff, effectively wrapped up the result.