27 JUL 1998 , Edition 2, Page 16.
Cup giant-killers sent crashing back to earth
By: ANDERSON Ian
One week on, reality bit.
There was no Chatham Cup spotlight or glory for the Ngaruawahia soccer side on Saturday. As a discarded newspaper wrapped itself around a fencepost on a bleak afternoon at Centennial Park, the team who made all the headlines last week lost 1-0 to South Auckland Rangers in a Northern League division one match.
The surprise Chatham Cup semifinalists deserved a share of the points but rarely looked like scoring.
How coach Jeff Coulshed would love to swap maybe even a trio of his most industrious charges for a striker with electric heels and a nose for goals.
Coulshed did however have the bonus of an appearance from former All White and current Melville United national league captain Brian Hayes. Hayes, who has played occasionally for the Ngaruawahia reserve side this season, filled in for Coulshed with defenders Marcus Traill and Stu Watene out injured and could yet be a tremendous asset for their semifinal against Dunedin Technical next month.
But up front there’s Gary Kingi — whose fulsome frame lacks fitness but not finesse, touch and vision — and little else to pierce opposing defences.
Ngaruawahia lost to a 22nd minute goal when they failed to clear a corner and the resulting driven near-post cross was deflected in.
Top scorer in the Cup run, defender Aaron Kingi, left the game early in the second spell with a knee injury that caused some concern. Kingi was due to see a physiotherapist today to check if there was any serious damage.
That negated some hope Ngaruawahia had of an equaliser despite Hayes becoming more prominent in midfield in the latter stages while captain Matty Williams also strove valiantly.