Wednesday, August 18th 1976
Ngaruawahia Squander Lead
Waikato 1st Division
Perhaps it was Ngaruawahia United’s second goal that cost them the victory against Hamilton. A rather disappointed United 11 came off their home ground after drawing 2-2 with Hamilton, having lead 2-0 until 20 minutes from time, with Hamilton’s equaliser coming in the last 5 minutes.
With no score at half time, Ngaruawahia turned around and netted first when a right wing corner from T. Armstrong was assisted into the net by C. Gorman. Fifteen minutes later it was Armstrong again as he ran backwards onto a left wing cross from McLaughlan and headed it over the Hamilton keeper.
Up to this point United’s defence had held and looked sound. Then Hamilton came back with two well struck close-range shots to deny United a place on top of the table.
United could have had a goal in the first few minutes when the ball was cleared off the Hamilton line after some indecision. Skip Housen played well in the Hamilton net and only had trouble reading the lobbed crosses, two of these being netted.
Top of the table Claudlands was beaten 3-1 by Cambridge and with one more round to be played this Saturday the situation on the table is very interesting, with several possibilities open.
United’s Delta Drycleaners player of the day went to left winger Jeff McLaughlan, who ran well all day chasing the through balls from the halves and setting up the second goal.
The only question now is – can United take Fraser and possibly end up on top of the ladder? Hamilton should be able to take Claudlands and prevent them from a victory by one point.