Wednesday March 5th 1975

Ngaruawahia Pre-season Soccer Match

Waikato 1st Division

Looking forward to their first season in the Waikato first division, Ngaruawahia United commenced their build-up by waiting late into the pre-season before their first game against Affco Rangers.

Charlie Gorman exhibited the form of things to come from him when he netted United’s fourth goal. A 35 yard drive from Geoff Brunning hit the lower edge of the crossbar to hit the ground and bounce out and high. Charlie Gorman caught the rising ball 8 feet off the ground to head home, not bad for a five foot six player.

It was only after Phil Bullivant netted that some semblance of order came to United., who, being without a coach so far this season,  from then on showed their potential. The greatest hopes seemed to lie with Albert Hakim and Allan Stimpson, two new faces with old-timer Charles Gorman, all in the forwards. Several of last year’s faces may be conspicuous by their absence from the senior team if first impressions on new players counts.

Last year’s 6-1 loss to United must have still been hanging over Affco’s heads as they watched goals from Bullivant, Sunnex, Stimpson and Gorman go in, with an early goal from Affco being disallowed through a player being offside.

Despite ill-fitting boots, Mike Liddle had a good day in midfield with Peard, Bowers and Riley making a good frontal defence for keeper Nightingale. Allan Stimpson might well have netted on four further occasions when he broke through but his ground shots were forced wide of the posts by strong challenges from keeper Finn.