10 May 2003
The Press, Christchurch
by Rod Dew
Tall Canterbury cricket fast bowler Andrew Ellis will make his provincial debut in a quite different sport this weekend when he runs onto the field for Canterbury United in its Southern Trust National Soccer League match against Tauranga City, at Mount Maunganui tomorrow.
Ellis, 21, is the surprise selection in a side weakened by illness and injury, and the rising young cricket star is delighted to be given the chance.
"I will be making my debut for Canterbury United, so this is going to be a new challenge. I can't wait to get into it," he said yesterday.
He is quite adamant that soccer is not just a sporting sideline to pass the time in the cricket off-season.
"I enjoy soccer, just as I enjoy cricket. Obviously it is winter and so football is my sport at the moment. I don't want to close any doors. I just want to make the most of whatever ability I have got and go as far as I can."
Ellis was originally invited to join the Canterbury United training squad at the beginning of the season, but had to decline because of the clash with cricket.
"We were right in the swing of the State Championship and as much as I would have liked to join the squad I couldn't."
Recently, he has been playing centre back for the Rangers Mainland premier league team, and some impressive performances have not gone unnoticed. Ellis is "very grateful" to Canterbury player-coach Danny Halligan for the second chance and is absolutely chuffed at the prospect of playing alongside the former All White.
"It will be the first time I have played with Danny. His reputation precedes him. I feel pretty safe having him there. There wouldn't be a better person to make my debut alongside," Ellis said.
"I will be giving 100 per cent.
"I just don't want to let anybody down."
Defenders Michael Lilley and Craig McGill are both sidelined with illness so Ellis will start the game with Halligan and a rock-solid Ben Hall in the back line.
Halligan has no concerns about Ellis's lack of big match experience. "He is a good lad with a good head on his shoulders. He trained with us this week, and did well. I am sure he will rise to the occasion," Halligan said.
As well as Lilley and McGill, midfielder Nathan Knox is out with a recurring hamstring problem, but wide midfielder Ben Hughes ill fly to Tauranga with the team tomorrow, provided his hamstring survives his club game for Western today.
Strikers Blair Scadden (leg muscle) and Manu Schafer (ankle) are under injury clouds. Both have been cleared to play, but Mainland Golden Boot Keith Grosvenor will also travel to Tauranga as insurance.
"Keith always helps us out when he can," said Halligan. "This gives us really good depth in the strike force."
That's important, because Canterbury - now sharing fourth place with Manawatu - needs to get three points tomorrow to strengthen its claims for a semi-final berth.
It also wants to notch up its first away win of the season, and if it is ever going to achieve this it will not have a better opportunity than against bottom-placed Tauranga.
Canterbury United: Jordan Buchanan (gk), Ben Hall, Andrew Ellis, Danny Halligan (captain-coach), Glenn Squire, Glen Collins, Jamie Duncan, Ben Sigmund, Ben Hughes, Halem Geor, Luke James, Deane Hutchinson, Chris Peck, Manu Schafer, Blair Scadden, Keith Grosvenor.