Quake no excuse for Spirit's collapse

Coastal Spirit coach Mick Curry refused to use the earthquake as an excuse for his side's 4-2 loss to Nelson club Richmond Athletic in yesterday's first leg of the Mainland premier league promotion playoff.

The east Christchurch club squandered a two-goal lead to concede four consecutive goals at Richmond's Jubilee Park yesterday. But Curry insisted "there is still a contest" and was confident Coastal could overhaul the deficit in Saturday's return leg in Christchurch.

The English-born coach – a former professional footballer at Ipswich Town – said Saturday's earthquake did not disrupt Coastal's preparations.

"The lads were disturbed at 4.30am, and we didn't know if we'd get to travel. But we got our flight on time, got up to Nelson around 3.45, went for an evening meal and the lads got plenty of rest.

"If we'd got off to a bad start, maybe you could say [the quake was a contributing factor], but there was only one team in it for the first 20 to 25 minutes."

Marc Capstick headed home a corner to give Coastal a 1-0 lead, which Matt Thomas doubled when he nodded in Jason Stapley's cutback.

But Capstick missed a sitter from two metres out, Coastal shots struck the crossbar and the posts and Richmond keeper Karl Numan pulled off a string of fine saves.

"We had chance after chance," Curry lamented. "We should have been four or five up by halftime."

Instead, Richmond's former Norwich City professional Jordan Yong grabbed a goal to reduce the deficit to 2-1 and the momentum gradually swung towards the home team.

"That was a very important goal for us," Richmond co-coach Steve Bignall said. "We weren't in it for half an hour, they totally outplayed us. We were a bit overawed because we haven't played any games at that pace, really. I think some of the youngsters were very nervous. There was a big crowd and a lot of expectation."

Curry said Coastal simply "weren't mentally tough enough" after establishing a 2-0 lead. "We never bothered turning up for the second half. I think we were still in the dressing room."

Bignall said Richmond felt the momentum shift after Ant Sonneman lashed home the equaliser after a scramble following a corner. Ryan Goodwin made it 3-2 from the penalty spot and Solomon Islander Wesley Olea fired home the fourth.

Former Norwich City centreback Joe Green and Numan were Richmond's standouts. Dangerman Yong, who Bignall has recommended to Canterbury United coach Keith Braithwaite, was heavily marked by Coastal.

Both coaches agreed the contest was far from over. "It was nice to get a win, but it doesn't mean anything," Bignall said. "It's only halftime. If they score first down there on Saturday they can get the momentum going.."

Curry agreed and accepted the pressure was on him and his players. "We are not out of it. I'm confident we can get two goals back if we approach it in the right manner."

The rematch is scheduled for Bexley Reserve although the club has Eric Adam Park, in Bromley, as a backup if Bexley is unplayable. The series winner will replace the bottom Mainland league team – likely to be either Burnside United or Halswell United – in 2011.

All other Mainland football matches were cancelled on Saturday.

- © Fairfax NZ News