Wednesday, September 19th 1973

Schools v United

An invitation schools 11 met the Ngaruawahia United 2nd Division team on Saturday in a decidedly one-sided match. The schools team was made up of two teachers and high school pupils captained by Allan Cotter.

The schools team had the wind at their backs in the first half and made very constructive use of it by long through balls from Ian Middleton and Geoffrey McLaughlin.

Rex McCowatt was called on early in the match to take the ball from the feet of attacking forwards and later had to leave the field injured after diving at the feet of the United forwards to save the ball. His place in goal was taken by Sandy MacDonald of the High School staff and Ian Todd of Bernard Fergusson school staff dropped back in defence.

Ian Middleton opened the score for Schools when he brought the ball from a defensive position to an attacking one outside the United area and then made his shot. The 20-yard drive rocketed into the right-hand corner of the net, beating a spectacular dive from keeper Rex Nightingale.

Alan Cotter, Graham Cairns and Ken Wilson enjoyed themselves in the forwards by bouncing the ball around amongst themselves, drawing the United defence into frequent error. Allan Cotter capitalized on one such error to score his team’s second goal.

The defensive play of Steven McPherson and John Kiddle had a great part to play in the Schools win. The ability of Kiddle to regain the ball from behind an attacker and McPherson’s sense of anticipation were lessons in themselves to the United defence.

Alan Cotter netted his team’s third goal from a pass given by Ian McCowatt. Alan sold a classical dummy to Steven Mark in defence and slid the ball home past an unplaced keeper. Ian McCowatt had a solid and useful game on the right wing showing too much speed for the defence.

At the halfway period of play Schools had a 3-0 advantage but still had to face a stiff breeze and their own tiredness and perhaps a stronger push from the opposition.

This proved to be so. Neil Gorman continually rallied his forwards to pressure the Schools goal. Brian Jacobs was called back to assist in breaking up these attacks. United came close on several occasions, calling for keeper MacDonald to go down on attackers’ feet.

George Sunnex scored United’s only goal from a melee 2 yards out that was palmed by the keeper but continued into the net. Jeffrey McLaughlin had a good game as centre-half for Schools and had a fine opportunity late in the second half but hit the side netting.

Interplay in the schoolboy team was of a good order and morale was kept high by refraining from derogatory remarks towards their own players, the trap that United fell into. A rematch is hoped for on October 6.

Baranyai Cup

The final match for this trophy will be played on the Huntly Domain this Saturday 22. Huntly have lost one match 4-6 and won one 3-2.

AFFCO Fitters

A return game will be held with United and Fitters on September 29, following the 2-1 win to United in the first game.

Invitation Schools Team

To be held on October 6, when United hope to avenge their 3-1 loss.