A Maori welcome for Park

ON PARADE: Captain Thomas Spragg (front, left), of Central United and Chadderton Park counterpart Danny Berry line up before the game.

CHADDERTON Park under-15s came face-to-face with the famous Haka when they took on a team from New Zealand at Chapel Road.

The traditional dance of the Maori people greeted the home side’s players prior to kick-off — and it must have had some effect on them as Central United went ahead inside 30 seconds.

Park levelled through Greg Ham 10 minutes later, but the Kiwis went back in front from the penalty spot to clinch a 2-1 win.

Central were in the country to compete in the finals of an international tournament organised by Nike and Manchester United.

They had been invited over after beating the winners of Australia and Japan groups.

Central went on to play academy teams from Blackburn Rovers and Nottingham Forest before the finals at Carrington.