Football: United battles back for draw

Otago United's Regan Coldicott looks to clear the ball from in front of Manawatu's Pablo Moya during their ASB Premiership match at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin yesterday Photo by Jane Dawber.

Otago United and Manawatu had to settle for a battling 2-2 draw in the ASB Premiership match played yesterday at the Forsyth Barr Stadium.

Otago coach Richard Murray rang the changes and elevated Aajay Cunningham to the starting 11, and the youngster obliged by scoring the equaliser after 55 minutes.

His strike at goal was all class and control, which was rare in a match that bustled and barged its way through 93 minutes.

Spectators must have enjoyed the end-to-end nature of the match, as it produced adrenaline-pumping goalmouth incidents and both keepers were called on to make desperate saves.

It was predictable that there would be goals, since both teams lost 5-0 last week, and both coaches hoped for, and generally got more stability.

Otago's Murray highlighted the errors that presented Manawatu with its two goals.

"Simple lack of concentration allowed diagonal runs by Seule Soromon and Jimmy Haidaikis that gave them their goals," he said.

Manawatu coach Stu Jacobs felt his defence let him down, "but we are very much a work in progress, and overall this was a good point to earn, after our recent defensive form".

"And I was especially pleased with stand-in keeper Ben Wilkes who made several important saves."

United's Peter Evans was less busy but, when the action kicked in, he had to defend with alacrity as Soromon slid through gaps and squeezed a tight-angled shot at the Otago goal.

Yet it was the home side that opened the scoring after 14 minutes when left fullback Craig Ferguson pushed up and delivered a perfect cross for the flying Harley Rodeka to glance the ball into Manawatu's net.

For a few moments Otago looked composed and in control, then a fatal lack of concentration allowed Soromon the simplest of goals as he ran on to a simple long pass, controlled with his chest and volleyed a 19th-minute equaliser.

Elation turned to dejection for Otago players and spectators, and the visitors played their best football to take control.

Cunningham's classy control was swamped, Morgan Day slumped and both wingers Regan Coldicott and Rodeka, while still generating attacking runs, lost their quality delivery.

No surprise then when Haidakis played a clever one-two through the middle and stayed calm to slot a cool goal past keeper Evans and earn the lead after 34 minutes.

Otago grafted its way back into the match despite erratic play in midfield, and created pressure with corners and long throw ins that had the Manawatu defence scrambling.

Ant Hancock had a good penalty call waved away by referee John Rowbury. Prattley launched a dangerous free kick, and centreback Matt Joy hurled a series of long throws but at halftime Manawatu still led 2-1.

The second spell was similar cut and thrust, but the visitors and Haidakis especially had slowed down. After a spell of Otago pressure, a couple of half clearances gave young Cunningham a chance to flight his splendid equaliser.

Fresh Otago legs almost paid off as Sam Mepham and Joel Stevens replaced Cunningham and Ryder, then James Govan came on for Hancock and Otago turned the screws.

Steady pressure brought no reward and it was Manawatu which went closest to snatching the outright win, when Soromon rounded keeper Evans and only superb covering pressure by Ferguson forced the Vanuatu international into hitting Otago's goalpost.

Both teams face tough matches next week, with Otago away to Hawkes Bay and Manawatu playing Auckland.

Otago United: 2
Harley Rodeka 14, Aajay Cunningham 55
YoungHeart Manawatu: 2
Suele Soromon 18, Jimmy Haidakis 34

Halftime: 1-2