Wednesday, June 9, 1971
First win over Mangakino
Waikato Division 2
George Sunnex, Robin Turner and Allan Rose played United into their first win against Mangakino in three years. Having met Mangakino in three matches last year, drawing one 2-2 and losing two 6-0 and 1-0, Ngaruawahia United were looking forward to beating the 1970 knock-out winners, at Mangakino.
Play in the first half was not anything out of the ordinary, due, perhaps to the constant rain and a very slippery ball. With three minutes gone Robin Turner tested the Mangakino keeper with a drive that narrowly crept over the bar. However, George Sunnex made up for this when he netted a perfect corner kick from Malcolm Burt after 20 minutes.
Up to this stage of the game both teams were evenly matched, with neither dominating the ball. A Mangakino forward was injured when he and Rex Nightingale clashed for the ball, but he was soon back in play.
On several occasions Robin Turner narrowly missed the goal with good drives from well out, after good attacking by Rose and Burt. Allan Rose scored the second goal 20 minutes into the second half when his angled shot was too fast for backs or the keeper, from about 20 yards out.
United, feeling themselves on top of the game, kept the pressure on. Rex Nightingale worked an intelligent defence in goal with his fullbacks combining well to bottle up any attacking forwards.
Five minutes from the whistle, Robin Turner’s efforts were rewarded when he executed a right shot to score by placing the ball in the net beside the post. Ken Chisholm nearly netted also when his shot was met by the keeper, who had miraculously recovered from being pulled right out of position. Final score 3-0 to Ngaruawahia United.
Team: Rex Nightingale, Maurice Frankhauser, Sandy MacDonald, Barry White, Ken Chisholm, Steven Barr, Neil Gorman, Malcolm Burt, Robin Turner, Allan Rose, George Sunnex.
Next week’s match is against Putaruru at Ngaruawahia at 2 p.m.