Wednesday, September 26th 1973

Baranyai Cup win to United 3-1

An extremely unlucky but gallant Huntly team were defeated by Ngaruawahia in the final match of the 3-match series for the Baranyai Cup. This trophy, presented by Steve Baranyai of the Huntly Thistle Soccer Club in 1970 for annual competition between his club and Ngaruawahia United A.F.C., has been held each year since that time by Ngaruawahia.

In the 1973 season, when Huntly no longer had a Waikato 3rd or 2nd Division team to pit against Ngaruawahia, it was decided to keep alive the competition by playing the three games against the Huntly Northern league squad. Ngaruawahia got a shock when they found themselves one game up after the first match to the tune of 6 goals to 4. The second game, played in atrocious conditions was taken by Huntly who came from a 2-0 deficit to win 3-2. Expecting a tight game, which it was, Ngaruawahia was led home by Neil Gorman with a 3-1 win on Saturday.

The first goal came after 15 minutes when Neil Gorman latched on to a through ball and his weak shot beat the keeper. Shortly afterwards Steve Baranyai made the shot of the match to equalise for Huntly. The only other goal in the first half came when Neil received a centred ball and walked it round the keeper to regain the lead. Half time 2-1.

Players in the Ngaruawahia squad were playing in unaccustomed positions throughout the game and further changes were made in the second half when coach Charlie Gorman rearranged the positions again to feel out possible placements for the 1974 season. The team knitted reasonably well despite the absence of Ian Todd and Sandy MacDonald and the promise of a rosier future next season is growing.

Neil McLucky made an extremely impartial referee. He penalised Huntly in the second half, for Huntly had changed goalkeeper without his knowledge. As soon as the new keeper handled the ball he awarded a penalty which Neil Gorman quietly slotted.  There was no further scoring although both teams came close.

Perhaps it can be said that Huntly had an unlucky day and the bounce of the ball went more in Ngaruawahia’s favour.

The match this Saturday is between Ngaruawahia and Affco Fitters on the Affco ground at 3.30 p.m. Ngaruawahia took the first match 2-1. The week following, the High School team looks forward to winning against Ngaruawahia. This game on October 6 will be played at 3.00 p.m.