Wednesday, August 4th 1976
Ngaruawahia United Wins Bruising Match
The big soccer match in Ngaruawahia on Saturday was that between the two first division teams of Ngaruawahia United and Cameron, played at Hopu Hopu, Cameron’s home ground. The previous encounter had led to a 2-1 win to United.
The game commenced as it was destined to continue. Cameron attempted throughout the 90 minutes to overcome United with vigorous bruising football. Cameron paid an early price for a foul tackle on striker C. Gorman and K. Boyd netted the penalty for a 1-0 first half lead.
Murray Liddle, goalkeeper, had little to do throughout the game as the striking power of Cameron’s B. White was well contained by the close attention of United defender I. Todd. Murray’s namesake Mike Liddle controlled the match from midfield for United and the play pivoted around him.
An inordinate number of free kicks were gained by United at the expense of Cameron through foul tackles but little resulted from them. Outside left Jeff McLaughlin had Cameron keeper M. Rooney groping at air when his curved and lofted shot from near the sideline settled into the net, to give United their 2-0 win over Cameron.
It was a good team effort by United, not at all demeaned by some claims that the referee was playing for United. This win puts United up with the leaders as Fraser’s loss to Hamilton has tightened up the first five positions. United meets Claudlands this weekend away, following their 0-0 draw with them at home.
In the third division match against Morrinsville, Ronnie Clark netted all five goals in United’s 5-2 victory at Morrinsville. His tally for the season is 24 goals, 10 of them in two appearances against Affco Rangers.