Wednesday, May 5, 1971
Ngaruawahia Junior Schoolboys
Playing at Te Awamutu on Saturday, the Junior 11 were defeated by Te Awamutu by 5 goals to 1. The home team had greater co-ordination and kicking ability than that of their visitors and had 4 goals in the space of fifteen minutes. It was definitely Ngaruawahia’s lack of kickability that lost them the match. It was not until the second half that Ngaruawahia began to function as a team and to cease giving the ball to the opponents (the factor that caused the first 4 goals).
Craig McPherson came close on two occasions, but the alert Te Awamutu keeper moved out into Craig’s path and smothered both shots. Frankie Tui scored the last goal of the game by a fine drive from 30 yards to at least give Ngaruawahia a goal.
The only players of mention were Craig McPherson, Frankie Tui and Steven Marshall.
Ngaruawahia Senior Schoolboys
Ngaruawahia faced a determined challenge by Huntly to upset their winning run on Saturday at Fairfield. Stephen Barr and Martin Bell combined to give Ngaruawahia 3 goals to Huntly’s 1.
The goal by Huntly was accomplished under pressure and was, perhaps, the best of the match. Rex Nightingale, Ngaruawahia’s keeper, was beaten to a high ball by a Huntly forward who headed the ball up into the net, the whole manoeuvre resulting from a well-placed cross from the wing.
To date Ngaruawahia have gained 15 goals in three games and conceded only one. Stephen Barr scored twice, while Martin Bell’s goal came through the courtesy of a Huntly fullback who drove the ball into his own net from a cross by Bell.
Rotorua 2, Ngaruawahia 0
Waikato Division 2
A long trip to Rotorua to meet Rotorua Suburbs was the lot of Ngaruawahia United on Saturday. Fine weather and a good ground helped to make interesting football on the day. Rotorua was found to make good use of the through ball and the chipped ball for the forwards to run on to. Close tabs were kept on these forwards by the United backs because of this.
Rotorua’s first goal came from such a through ball that was deflected over the head of MacDonald at centre-back for the forward to run onto and beat Nightingale in goal with a nicely timed drive. A second goal nearly occurred in a similar manner, but the ball was deflected by the keeper for MacDonald to clear off the line.
United played into the sun in the second half and conceded another goal to Rotorua from a well-crossed ball to the centre. The halves and the backs combined well, but the scoring ability of the forwards was non-existent and the Rotorua keeper was never troubled. All of the United team worked hard, but could not finish off their attacks.
Team – Forwards: Nightingale, Frankhauser, MacDonald, White. Halves: Barr, Sidney, Burt. Forwards: N. Gorman, Bell, C. Gorman, Sunnex, Rose and Berryman.