Tech through to last eight of Chatham Cup
Cashmere Technical striker Michael White believes they’ve got the experience, quality and depth to make another deep run in the Chatham Cup.
The 2013 and 2014 champions moved through to the quarterfinals of the national knockout competition after accounting for Dunedin’s Caversham 2-0 at Christchurch’s Garrick Park on Saturday.
It was a comfortable victory for the four-time reigning Mainland Premier League champions, who were in control after a ninth minute strike from White and weren’t really troubled defensively.
Tech would have been disappointed by their precision in the attacking third, failing to capitalise from a steady amount of corners and promising chances in Caversham’s six yard box.
White, who won a Chatham Cup with Wellington’s Miramar Rangers in 2010, said there was huge motivation in the Tech squad to regain the prestigious trophy.
‘‘It’s a big goal for the club, the Chatham Cup. Obviously, winning it twice, the boys want to do well in the cup. It’s one of those things you strive for as a player, especially in winter football.
‘‘It’s a pretty special cup to win – all the history behind it as well.’’
Tech midfielders Gary Ogilvie and Cory Mitchell were among the best players on the park, getting through a power of work and proving tough to break down defensively.
They bossed their Caversham counterparts in the middle of the park, nullifying their ability to have too much time on the ball.
‘‘It’s class having a good midfield behind you,’’ White said. ‘‘Especially with us here, we’ve got four or five players that can play in that midfield. I thought the boys did brilliantly picking up a lot of second phase.’’
White said the Tech camp spoke about starting confidently and trying to get on the board early to relieve pressure in a cup knockout game.
With his first shot of the game, White lined up an attempt, which took a wicked deflection into the right of the net, leaving Caversham goalkeeper Liam Little stranded with no chance.
‘‘The game plan was to take it to them in the first 15 [minutes]. To get a goal was definitely hitting one of those targets.’’
Caversham would have been content to go into halftime only 1-0 down, given Tech’s dominance and plethora opportunities.
The Football South Premier League leaders, who haven’t lost in the league in two seasons, hopes faded when Tech doubled their lead just short of the hour mark. Young winger Lyle Matthysen sliced through the Caversham defence and his cross was turned into the net via defender Craig Ferguson.
Tech brought Canterbury United skipper Aaron Clapham, who has been sidelined with a broken nose, on with 30 minutes to play and the former All White looked lively.
To their credit, Caversham kept pushing for a pivotal goal and were able to keep Tech at bay at the of attacking back. ‘‘We had to grind out there, especially in the second half,’’ White said.Elsewhere, Nelson Suburbs progressed to the last eight after thumping Queenstown Rovers 6-1 at Queenstown Events Centre.
Player-coach Ben Wright bagged a double for Suburbs, with Omar Guardiola, Matt Tod-Smith, Kristian Gibson (penalty) also getting on the scoresheet, with an own goal to boot. Suburbs were in charge 3-0 at halftime.