Football: Dismal finish sums up season

If ever a period of play could sum up a team's season, it was the last nine minutes of Southern United's 3-2 loss to Canterbury United in Christchurch yesterday.

Leading 2-1 with five minutes remaining in regulation, Southern United conceded two late goals, including a heartbreaker in the fourth minute of stoppage time.

It condemned the Dunedin-based team to an 11th consecutive loss to end the season, and ensured there was no happy ending for departing coach Mike Fridge.

‘‘I'm very disappointed. We deserved something out of this. It's a hard one to take. It would have been a nice one for me to finish with,'' he said.

Fridge was also critical of referee Cory Mills, who he said made some ‘‘dreadful decisions'' which cost his team.

‘‘We were absolutely robbed today,'' Fridge said.‘

‘Their first goal, he has stopped play and got out his cards to book one of our players .. they took a quick tap and he put his cards back in his pocket and they scored.

‘‘You can't do that,'' he said.

Southern United, which had scored only nine goals heading into the match, took a surprise lead in the 16th minute, when striker Sam French made Canterbury United pay for some sloppy work at the back.

The home side dominated the rest of the first half but could not find an equaliser.

That changed when Andre de Jong scored in the 60th minute after the controversial quick tap, but Southern United quickly went back in front, when Morgan Day got on the end of a free kick.

Southern United dug in defensively, and only a fantastic save by goalkeeper Tom Batty denied Juan Chang from knotting the game up in the 73rd minute.

However, as Southern United has done so often in the final 10 minutes of games this season, it leaked goals down the stretch.

Midfielder Aaron Clapham scored his 50th for Canterbury from the spot to tie the game up five minutes from time, before Gary Ogilvie latched on to a rebounded shot deep in extra time to snatch victory.

A full review of Southern United's season, which ended with a second consecutive wooden spoon, is expected to be undertaken shortly.


ASB Premiership
The scores

Canterbury United 3
Andre de Jong 60; Aaron Clapham 85; Gary Ogilvie 90+4

Southern United 2
Sam French 16; Morgan Day 67

Halftime: 1-0 Southern United


Add a Comment