12 May 2003
The Nelson Mail
by Simon Bloomberg
Nelson United is out of the Bluebird Chatham Cup after losing 0-5 to Rangers at Guppy Park.
The home team lost Sunday's soccer match despite dominating a goaless first half. In fact, Nelson could easily have been ahead at the break after narrowly missing two genuine scoring chances.
Nelson midfielder Reid Yacoub tested goalkeeper Alan Stroud after nine minutes when he unleashed a scorching, 35m left-foot drive while Andrew McRoberts was only just wide with a chip shot after 16 minutes.
Rangers also put pressure on Stroud when defender Paul Stanley badly miscued a backheader almost scoring an own goal. However, super-veteran Stroud was equal to the challenge making two great stops to keep Nelson scoreless.
In contrast, the second half belonged to a rampant Rangers. speedy midfielder Jacabo Egues cut Nelson to ribbons scoring two goals and creating two more in an impressive attacking display.
It didn't take long for Rangers to open the scoring with Will Owen firing in a left foot volley in the 49th minute. Pachali [sic] Chinula made it 2-0 when he swept home cross from Egues after 68 minutes.
Egues was in the action again in the 72nd minute when he raced 50m to score his first goal. Two minutes later Egues delivered a perfect cross for Steve Anngow to score before waltzing past two defenders to notch his second.
Despite the scoreline, Nelson United was not outclassed by its more highly-rated Mainland Soccer league opponent. Nelson was unlucky not to score in the first half while Egues was the only significant difference between the two teams in the second.
Defender Max Ancell had an outstanding game at the back for Nelson while Yacoub, Sean Parkes and John Forrest were hard working and skilled midfielders. Striker Andrew McRoberts was a constant threat on attack.
In Blenheim, Ocean Lodge Nelson Suburbs advanced to the second round of the Chatham Cup after defeating Marlborough 5-0.
Nelson Suburbs led 2-0 at half time in Sunday's game after goals to Darryn Cunningham and Paul Brown.
Nelson completed a decisive victory with striker Michael Fifi scoring a second-half hat trick. Fifi formed an effective attacking partnership with Michael White while Cunningham was prominent in midfield.
Marty Chandler, Bob Smart and Matt Ellery also played well.