The Huntly Press
Wednesday 6th September 1978
Northern League
Gorman’s Goal-Scoring Spree Seals Subsidiary
Charlie Gormans first-half hat-trick against Tauranga City on Saturday put the seal on the Northern League 4th division subsidiary contest for Ngaruawahia Affco United.
Perfect ground and weather conditions at Tauranga provided the ideal setting for fast, flowing football and United took advantage of this from the start to pressure the home sides defence.
In the fifth minute a good through ball from John Brown was picked up on the left by Charlie Gorman who’s left-foot shot rocketed past the goalie into the net.
Within minutes Charlie added another when he rose above the Tauranga goalie to head home the ball from a well-placed Alan Dornan corner. Charlie’s third goal was nearly a repetition of the first; once again his newly-discovered left foot leaving the goalie on chance to make the half time score 3-0 to Ngaruawahia.
United could only manage two goals in the second half, both from their resident Scots overstayer John Brown. Brown’s close ball-control and dribbling ability proved troublesome to the Tauranga defense and he used it to best advantage, scoring both goals from tight situations.
United’s coach was pleased with the win and although he attributed the success to an all-round team effort, thought that Charlie Gorman and midfielder Jason Cargo were two players to stand-out.
Next week, United play a friendly match against Wanderers as a prelude to both teams participation in the Tokoroa tournament the following week.
Danny Denied Hat-Trick
Ngaruawahia-Affco United has just the required 11 men to field against Fraser’s 1st division team at Ngaruawahia, having “lent” players to the Northern League and third division teams playing away. This left United in a weakened position, as were all the other senior teams that day.
United kicked the game off, and thirty seconds later Neil Gorman had placed the ball in the net when Fraser failed to clear from a defensive position. The ball had been worked through by Ngaruawahia United but the final touch went too far ahead. The Fraser defender mistimed his clearance and the ball glanced off his boot. The loose ball was snapped up by Neil Gorman who drew the keeper out and placed the ball behind him and across to the far netting. 1-0 to United.
Then the rest of the half was dominated by Fraser, with mid-fielder Graeme Kenny setting up dangerous attacks and some penetrating runs. Captain Mel Riches tested keeper Grant Prendergast with an off-target back-pass, but Grant’s size belied his quickness to drop on the ball and prevent a possible equaliser. United’s attacks were quickly smothered by the Fraser defense and by one or two non-existent off-sides and the score-line stayed at 1-0 after the first 45 minutes.
At the start of the second half Fraser had the kick-off and scored immediately in exactly the same manner as United to equalise. This appeared to be the beginning of Fraser’s come back, but shortly afterwards Fraser’s danger-man Graeme Kenny was substituted off and the tide turned for the home team. They had far more control in mid-field with the ensuing goals building up from this area.
Winger Philip Bullivant was fed the ball from defense, took it 50 metres and angled a hard shot from just inside the penalty area. The keeper looked to have it covered but spilled the ball at the feet of George Sunnex who had rocketed through for just that purpose. His shot, from two metres out nearly necessitated the netting being replaced. 2-1.
Neil Gorman’s frequent raids paid off when he was fouled in the area and Danny Duffull took his first penalty of the season. 3-1. Fraser nearly pulled one back when their striker ripped through the defense and was looming down on United’s keeper. Just how Mel Riches made it back and tidied up the situation before the striker could set up his shooting foot must go down as an unsolved mystery! Following United’s penalty the referee had cause to speak to the Fraser keeper and caution him for words used on the field. Following Duffull’s second scorcher of a goal to make it 4-1, the keeper again was spoken to and, following an exchange of words with the referee, was ordered from the field. Following this incident one or two other Fraser players took exception verbally to the decision and play was held up while the referee spoke to the offenders.
At this stage it seemed to be a walk-over for United and Duffull again saw his shot netted via a defender but was ruled no goal for an off-side infringement and the Duffull hat-trick was averted.
The final score of 4-1 could have been two higher with Sunnex and Duffull being unlucky with good-percentage shots. This result was one of the best scored by the 1st division team this season and one of their better games.
Players to stand out -Grant Prendergast, Mel Riches, Maurice Frankhauser, well supported by good performances by the other eight.
Award for the most vociferous supporter was shared by Joe Templeton and Keith Ridley, just pipping Rodney Hill for honours.