Huntly Press, Wednesday, April 21, 1971
Waikato 2nd Division
Ngaruawahia United scored twice to Te Awamutu’s once to have Te Awamutu beat them 2-1 on Saturday! United played a 3-4-4 system that did not settle down until the second half. Neil Gorman scored first from a well-directed pass, but United could get no further in the half. Te Awamutu scored through the keeper’s legs from 6 feet out to tie the score at 1-1 at the half.
With the sun at their backs United failed to finish off their moves, although several of the 19 shots at goal in this half were near misses. Te Awamutu were assisted in their win when a United defender mis-kicked a ball over the line for the last goal of the match.
It was a creditable performance on Te Awamutu’s behalf as they could field only nine players. The game was fast and direct with opportunities going begging on both sides. United found their new 3-4-4 system going well and will improve with each game. Barry White and Maurice Frankhauser had steady games at fullback, with Sharky Berryman going like a trooper in the forwards. Perhaps United’s only continual mistake was in holding on to the ball too long when attacking.
Team: Stuart. Bell, Maurice Frankhauser, Sandy MacDonald, Barry White, Malcolm Burt, Neil Gorman, Carles Gorman, D. Sidney, Seve Berryman, George Sunnex, Alan Rose, Rex Nightingale.
Junior Schoolboys
The Ngaruawahia High School 4th Division team travelled to Fairfield College to meet Cambridge in their second match of the season. Hopes were not very high, but were soon increased when Craig McPherson forced himself through a goalmouth scuffle to score. Soon after, however, Cambridge equalised with a lucky shot crossing the goal and sneaking into the bottom corner.
Ngaruawahia tried hard and the forwards Tui, Paikea, Fox and McPherson, worked hard and intelligently, with Craig scoring another. Ngaruawahia now knew that Cambridge were not invincible, despite their size, and began playing a game more akin to soccer. No scores were had in the second half, although Ngaruawahia had to withstand a continual 10-minute siege in their goal area. The boys stood up well under pressure and gradually won back possession. The 2-1 win was much needed to give the boys a boost of confidence in their ability at this time of year.
Team members: R. Paul, R. Miles, Julian Barakat, G. Fox, Craig McPherson, Mark Flyger, Gary Paikea, M. Small, S. Marshall, Frank Tui, Colin White, Kerry Callaghan and Gary Barnes.
Senior Schoolboys
The Fairfield 11 were shown how to play football on Saturday morning when they met a very determined Ngaruawahia High School side. Looking efficient, and out for goals, Ngaruawahia worked in well with each other. Scoring 3 goals in each half, Ngaruawahia had much of the possession of the ball and were always able to work it constructively. Perhaps the sole responsibility for the 6-0 win rested on the shoulders of Gary McIntosh who played well at outside left and continually stretched the defence wide enough open for the inside forwards to score.
Ngaruawahia looked for the ball on every occasion and their performance rivalled that of the F.A. Cup ties on television. Alan Rose opened the account with a drive under the keeper and then, a few minutes later, bustled a fullback into deflecting the ball into his own goal. With two goals tucked under their belt Ngaruawahia pulled out all stops and played the type of football that makes a coach proud. Gary McIntosh split the defence repeatedly and sent in accurately-timed balls to the middle. Allan Rose scored the third call from such a move.
When Fairfield cut away with the ball, immaculate tackling by Janssen, Mark and Connolly stopped the moves and immediately set up counter-attacks. Rex had little to do in this half, but dealt with all excursions into his domain very capably.
At the turn Fairfield had new heart and kept Ngaruawahia pinned to their area. However, although a near miss was experienced when Rex Nightingale pulled the ball off the line, Ngaruawahia broke away and took control of the game once more. A cross over the Fairfield goalmouth was met by Martin Bell just outside the 18-yard box and first-timed at the goal. The ball flew straight, true and fast to rebound off a surprised keeper – a shot straight out of the F.A. Cup final!
Gary McIntosh continued to work hard, but could not penetrate. Several of his shots went just wide. Allan Rose marked up his 4th goal when he carried the ball from half-way and netted – a fine effort. Martin Bell was rewarded for his sterling efforts at outside right with a dropping cross that sailed over the keeper’s fingers into the net. Gary McIntosh later shot hard at the line to see a defender assist him in propelling the ball over for the 6th goal.
All of the players excelled themselves and well deserved their win.
Team: Rex Nightingale, Emmett Connolly, Stephen Mark, Steven Barr, Campbell Haggie, Danny Duffull, Alan Rose, Greg McIntosh, Barry Callaghan, J. Forrest, Chris Barakat, Martin Bell, Tony Janssen.