The Canterbury United Gazette
Player ratings9 Nov 2026
James Smith scores twice — 8.86
Two goals and a mark of 8.86 to go with them. Strikers are judged on afternoons like this one and remembered for far fewer of them than people imagine.
The dugout9 Nov 2026
Adam Bell: that is not what I was promised
“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” Canterbury United have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.
Squad9 Nov 2026
Tempers go at Canterbury United
Andrew Bell was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.
Squad9 Nov 2026
Words at Canterbury United training over how hard people work
Somebody said out loud what several people had been thinking. Tim Stamatelopoulos is at the centre of it, and the squad will now find out whether the standard rises or the pair of them simply stop speaking.
The terraces9 Nov 2026
One of their own: Michael Cacace
He is 23 and the ground already sings his name, which is a thing that happens to local boys and almost never to signings. Everything from here is measured against an affection he did nothing to earn except be from here.
Match7 Nov 2026
James Smith sends Canterbury United past Waitakere United
It finished 2‑0, and it was James Smith’s afternoon: on the scoresheet when it mattered, and the reason the points belong to Canterbury United.
Player ratings9 Nov 2026
The game went through Andrew Bell — 6.50
Marked 6.50 on 10 actions at both ends of the pitch. Midfielders like this get described as unspectacular by people who have never tried to play against one.
Squad9 Nov 2026
Jai Stamatelopoulos signs on for more
“Some decisions take a long time. This one took ten minutes, and most of that was finding a pen.” Jai Stamatelopoulos and Canterbury United agree another 3 years.
The dugout9 Nov 2026
The manager makes an example of Alex Payne
“If you cannot run for the shirt, somebody else will wear it.” No name was used and none was needed; every player in that room knew who it was for.
In brief
- The dugout The manager has not finished forgetting Moisés's mistake
- The dugout Ben Reid: “That is the standard”
- Squad A first senior shirt for Michael Cacace