Agonisingly close for Nelson College footballers

The inaugural quadrangular football tournament organised by Nelson College was decided by just one goal.

After beating Whanganui Collegiate 4-0 and drawing with Wellington College 0-0, Nelson had to beat Christ’s College by at least four goals in the final match last Tuesday to win the Nga Haue Wha Trophy on goal differential.

The home side rattled the woodwork early but was then denied by a series of great saves by goalkeeper Felix Thomas.

Just before half-time, Nelson College co-captain Fletcher King slipped one past the keeper on the slippery Front Field.

Sami Atalah proved a super sub as he scored just minutes after he came on in the second half and Oran Sim made it 3-0 with 12 minutes to play.

They were urged on by a raucous crowd on the bank as students were allowed to skip classes to watch the Nelson games.

But that’s how the match finished, 3-0.

Post-match, the rules were checked as Nelson College and Wellington both ended up with plus seven on goal differential.

Wellington was then declared the winner as it scored eight goals to Nelson’s seven.
Coach Davor Tanich says his side wasn’t doing the maths on the field and there were no messages being passed on from the sideline.

“On the field, it was just a matter of scoring as many goals as we could. We just had to play. It was a pity we didn’t score a few more goals on the first day. It was incredible to see the whole school come out and watch,” he says. “The atmosphere was unbelievable.”

Fletcher says they weren’t really thinking about the goals needed, instead just trying to play football against a spirited Christ’s side.

“We played well in the slippery and wet conditions and that’s all that matters at the end of the day. It was great to have the first football quadrangular here at NC,” says Fletcher.

His co-captain Jay Anderson rued missed chances in the goalless draw with Wellington on Monday.

“I think we could have won that game,” reflects Jay. Celebrating Wellington College players were gracious, acknowledging the 0-0 draw with NC had been a very close match.