Wednesday, May 26, 1971
Ngaruawahia United Draw with Hamilton
Waikato Division 2
Ngaruawahia United drew, 1 all, with Hamilton in the match held at Muir Park, Hamilton, on Saturday.
Excellent conditions greeted both teams, and United played into the sun for the first half, led by G. Sunnex as team captain.
The first 15 minutes proved to be good entertainment for the numerous spectators, with Allan Rose making some good drives up the wing in the early stages. However, after a fairly promising start, both teams lost ball control and movements were fumbled and lacking co-ordination.
With 30 minutes gone in the first half, George Sunnex took a shot at goal. There was some controversy about the goal, as it was a slow shot and trickled up to the goal-keeper’s feet, not seeming to hit home. However, the referee allowed the goal and United was 1 up.
Thereafter the game was unspectacular, with hand-balls going unnoticed by the referee and confusion over throw-ins.
Rex Nightingale played an excellent game in goal and, but for him, the final score could have been considerably in Hamilton’s favour.
Second half play followed the pattern of the first half, being generally a trie scrappy, but with some good moves from Sandy MacDonald and Allan Rose.
Hamilton seemed to be hindered by injuries, although none of these proved to be serious.
With five minutes left to play, Hamilton scored their goal from a penalty kick in front of the goal. The goal was off-side, but was, nevertheless, allowed.
The final whistle blew at 2.40, the score being 2 all.
Ngaruawahia United team: R. Nightingale, B. White, A. MacDonald, M. Frankhauser, D. Sidney, M. Burt, A. Rose, G. Sunnex, T. Janssen, S. Bell, R. Berryman. Substitute: C. Gorman.