The Huntly Press
Wednesday 5th April 1978
GORMANS SCORE THREE
Neil and Charlie Gorman featured exclusively in the goal-tally when Ngaruawahia-Affco United defeated Turangi 3-0 in the first round of the Northern league soccer tournament. Charlie netted the first before being injured off with a broken ankle and brother Neil waited until the second half before adding his two opportunist goals.
United found the Turangi team full of life but lacking in experience, a factor not assisted by their relative isolation. Their two players to stand out were the keeper and K. Fleet, striker. The pitch was hard and dry (whose wasn’t) and it was United who found the breaks going their way.
The 3-0 scoreline does not give a true indication of the run of play as United’s keeper Sean Finn had the best brought out of him on occasions, one particular volley he acrobatically tipped over the bar.
In the first half Mike Heapphy squared a ball into United’s new lanky striker, Jason Cargo, who was robbed of the ball by the Turangi backs. The back-pass was intercepted by Cha’s Gorman who walked it into the net for the only goal of the first half.
Mike Heapphy spent the best part of the match trying to fracture the posts and crossbar with wicked volleys, with Mike Liddle and Jason Cargo giving similar brief displays! Ken Murray showed skill and initiative as an attacking fullback with Jeff Tozer working solidly behind the attack. Malcolm Burt had a shaky debut into Northern league soccer but should firm up with time.
With the many fine drives at goal from United, it was disappointing that the three that went in were basically from defensive errors wherein the ball was practically walked in. If one wished to count timberwork shots as legal (and which attacking team wouldn’t!) a rugby score may have eventuated.
With the long trip now behind them, United move over to Tauranga this Saturday for their second match in the league.
Ngaruawahia United Soccer This Weekend
Saturday – Northern league v Tauranga Away 2.45 pm. 1st division v Tokoroa home 2.45 pm. 3rd division v Tokanui away 2.00 pm. Sunday (Pandora cup) Ladies No 1 v Te Kuiti home 11.15 am. Ladies No 2 v Wanderers away (Porritt Stadium) 11.00 am.
United’s home games are played at Centennial Park, by the Waipa School, just off the Whatawhata Road.
United’s Third Division Tournament.
Ngaruawahia, Te Aroha, University and Hillcrest played their way through to the semi-finals of the Ngaruawahia-Affco United 3rd division tournament on Sunday. On Sunday 9th, Ngaruawahia meets Hillcrest and Te Aroha plays University on Centennial Park, Ngaruawahia both games at 10 am. The curtain raiser for the final will be between Te Kuiti ladies and United No 1 ladies in the Pandora cup competition. The final kicks off at 1 pm.
Last Sundays results table; Group 1. Ngaruawahia won 1, drew 2, lost 0, pts. 4; Te Aroha 2, 0, 1, 4; Tokoroa 1,1,1,3; Fraser 0,1,2,1. Group 2. University 2,1,0,5; Hillcrest 2 ,0 , 1 , 4 ; Cambridge 1,1,1,3; Morrinsville 0,0,3,0.