The Huntly Press
Wednesday 23rd August 1978
Fraser Eclipsed at Ngaruawahia
Mike Liddle’s boomer from 30 metres out set the seal on the Fraser v Ngaruawahia-Affco northern league soccer match at Ngaruawahia in the home team’s 2-0 win. It was in the 18th minute of the second spell when Mike Heappey’s left-wing corner was headed clear and met full-bore by Liddle on his “wrong” foot. The speed of the shot was such that both teams were still reacting from the initial corner when the Fraser keeper had the embarrasing situation of retrieving the ball from the bottom corner of the net. This shot followed eight minutes after John Brown had put Ngaruawahia ahead from the penalty spot.
Fraser’s Graeme Kenny found United’s Charlie Gorman too skilful on the wing and resorted to some indiscriminant tackling to try and put Charlie off his effective raids. It took referee Len Morland some eighty minutes to book Kenny for his efforts. Fellow defender Kerry Barakat had previously been booked by the referee for similar tactics, and although his gesticulations were fortunately missed by the referee, it availed him little.
Ken Murray hit the woodwork with a curled shot in the first half, as did Fraser from a long drive from the wing. Fraser’s build-up was slightly better than Ngaruawahia’s but Tozer, Burt and Dornan proved able ‘in defense for the home team.
Steve Williams had a good day and John Brown caused Fraser problems with his “new-fangled” left-foot shots.
Third Division Unbeaten
Ngaruawahia’s 5-1 win over Te Awamutu continued their unbroken run of wins in the Waikato 3rd division soccer tournament. Since qualifying for the play-offs by finishing in the top six of 14 teams, United has not conceeded a match.
Stafford Magee gained an early goal before Te Awamutu equalised. However shortly afterwards winger Andy Bell pressured the Te Awamutu defense into an own goal for the lead which Narra never lost. Staf gained his second with a snap shot from an acute angle for a 3-1 lead. Then it was Bruce McIntosh’s moment. Taking the ball down the right wing he dummied his way past the defense, centred to Staff Magee whose shot scooted across the face of the goal. Andy Bell, chasing hard, reached the ball and cut if back for Bruce McIntosh to volley home, with the keeper at sixes and sevens. 4-1.
Ngaruawahia looked poorly in the second spell and the only goal came as a surprise to Jim McCraig when he saw his centreing cross drift over the keeper into the net. 5-1. Ngaruawahia now have a comfortable lead of five points in the competition.
First Division
Tony Armstrong prevented Ngaruawahia United from going down without scoring against Tokoroa in Ngaruawahia’s 3-1 loss in the Waikato 1st division soccer competition. Grant Prendergast performed well under pressure.