Wednesday 8 September
United takes Collett Cup
Waikato Division 2
Ngaruawahia United A.F.C. took their second trophy of the season in the Waikato Football league when they defeated Waikeria on Saturday by two goals to nil.
This was a replay match, as the previous week these two undefeated teams had drawn 1-1 at Ngaruawahia. The replay was held at Waikeria.
Barry White was the player responsible for the 2-0 victory. His stewardship in the centre-half position acting as sweeper and defender, could not be faulted. His ability to wide fierce tackles and his manner of feeding his forwards gave all his team-mates the confidence they required. When little action did penetrate beyond Barry it was well wrapped up by the defensive quartet of Nightingale, Frankhauser, MacDonald and Docherty (replaced by Janssen in the second half). Tony Janssen showed his “stickability” when in a defensive role when he frequently contained two attacking forwards on his wing.
Ken Chisholm put United on the board when he received a pass from Harry Docherty on the edge of the box and nonchalantly side-footed it past the keeper. Robin Turner took a head-high pass from Charlie Gorman to weave through the defence, draw the keeper to his right and then rocket the ball into the opposite corner of the net. Several other attempts came close from Allan Rose and Charlie Gorman.
Waikeria missed the only two opportunities they were presented with by the United defence. Twice an open goal was there and twice the Waikeria forwards put the ball either wide or high.
George Sunnex and Neil Gorman fitted well into their respective berths as left and right halves, both doing a power of work. Maurice Frankhauser (the rock) was as solid as ever as right fullback.
The only member of the team who was not in the thick of it was Steven Mark, reserve. However from some of the tackles meted out by Waikeria if often looked as though his defensive ability would be needed. All members of the United team went well and it was by far one of the best matches played in the Waitemata Cup and Collett Cup series.
Having now completed their third year of existence, Ngaruawahia united have proudly tucked beneath their belts two of the Cups of the Waikato Football Association, having been undefeated in all matches for both the Waitemata and Collett Cups.
United now look forward to their final match: that against Huntly Thistle in the last of the three matches for the Baranyai Cup with one win and one loss.