Christchurch United’s trip to Shepherds Park came at a crucial stage in the National League, with both teams targeting vital points. Coming off a 2-2 draw with Auckland City, the Rams travelled to Auckland aiming to build some momentum and test themselves against last season’s finalists.
Birkenhead wasted no time asserting themselves. Just six minutes in, Zach Chung chased hard in the area and forced a scramble in the box, where Kian Donkers went down seeing referee Gardner point to the spot. Donkers stepped up and converted, sending Steven van Dijk the wrong way.
Birkenhead didn’t let up. In the 14th minute, Devin Slingsby found space from distance and lined up a left-footed strike, smashing it into the left side of the net leaving Van Dijk rooted to the spot.
The Rams struggled to settle under Birkenhead’s pressure, but did find occasional openings. On 20 minutes, Noah Karunaratne darted down the right to latch onto a long ball and picked out Josh Tollervey in the box. His shot was convincing but well held by Birkenhead keeper Jackson Gardner.
Birkenhead nearly extended their advantage with several attacking moves and nearly made it three through Nathan Rostron, missing just wide. The home side’s pressure paid off again just before the break as the rain started to fall. Donkers floated a clever ball in behind the Rams’ defence for Slingsby. Slingsby made no mistake, smashing a first-time hit off the left post and in for his second goal of the afternoon. United were relieved to hear the halftime whistle, heading into the break three goals down.
The Rams opted for a change at halftime, introducing Shogo Osawa in place of Matthew Duncan to inject some attacking spark. United looked livelier after the break and pushed Birkenhead back at times, but the hosts continued to look threatening. Steven van Dijk was called into action, making two sharp stops in quick succession to deny Rostron and keep a glimmer of hope alive for the visitors.
United’s best chance to claw a goal back came on 64 minutes. Stevens did well to find Osawa in the six-yard box. Osawa sent his close-range shot past Gardner, only for Slingsby, already on a brace, to clear off the line brilliantly to deny the Rams a way back into the contest.
United pushed numbers forward as the game wore on. Stevens kept trying his luck from distance and Whitecliffe continued to offer movement going forward, but Gardner and the Birkenhead defence remained firm. Karunaratne nearly set up a late opening for Osawa, but the keeper closed down the space well.
As the final whistle sounded, United were left ruing a slow start and the clinical finishing shown by Birkenhead in the opening period. Stevens was creative, but the Rams couldn’t break down a well-drilled Birkenhead side.
The loss sees United leapt past by last year's finalists, moving into seventh with eight points after seven games.
The Rams now look towards their next National League Championship fixture where Central League side Western Suburbs make the trip down to United Sports Centre in Round 8.
Birkenhead wasted no time asserting themselves. Just six minutes in, Zach Chung chased hard in the area and forced a scramble in the box, where Kian Donkers went down seeing referee Gardner point to the spot. Donkers stepped up and converted, sending Steven van Dijk the wrong way.
Birkenhead didn’t let up. In the 14th minute, Devin Slingsby found space from distance and lined up a left-footed strike, smashing it into the left side of the net leaving Van Dijk rooted to the spot.
The Rams struggled to settle under Birkenhead’s pressure, but did find occasional openings. On 20 minutes, Noah Karunaratne darted down the right to latch onto a long ball and picked out Josh Tollervey in the box. His shot was convincing but well held by Birkenhead keeper Jackson Gardner.
Birkenhead nearly extended their advantage with several attacking moves and nearly made it three through Nathan Rostron, missing just wide. The home side’s pressure paid off again just before the break as the rain started to fall. Donkers floated a clever ball in behind the Rams’ defence for Slingsby. Slingsby made no mistake, smashing a first-time hit off the left post and in for his second goal of the afternoon. United were relieved to hear the halftime whistle, heading into the break three goals down.
The Rams opted for a change at halftime, introducing Shogo Osawa in place of Matthew Duncan to inject some attacking spark. United looked livelier after the break and pushed Birkenhead back at times, but the hosts continued to look threatening. Steven van Dijk was called into action, making two sharp stops in quick succession to deny Rostron and keep a glimmer of hope alive for the visitors.
United’s best chance to claw a goal back came on 64 minutes. Stevens did well to find Osawa in the six-yard box. Osawa sent his close-range shot past Gardner, only for Slingsby, already on a brace, to clear off the line brilliantly to deny the Rams a way back into the contest.
United pushed numbers forward as the game wore on. Stevens kept trying his luck from distance and Whitecliffe continued to offer movement going forward, but Gardner and the Birkenhead defence remained firm. Karunaratne nearly set up a late opening for Osawa, but the keeper closed down the space well.
As the final whistle sounded, United were left ruing a slow start and the clinical finishing shown by Birkenhead in the opening period. Stevens was creative, but the Rams couldn’t break down a well-drilled Birkenhead side.
The loss sees United leapt past by last year's finalists, moving into seventh with eight points after seven games.
The Rams now look towards their next National League Championship fixture where Central League side Western Suburbs make the trip down to United Sports Centre in Round 8.
