The Huntly Press
Wednesday 14th June 1978
Fantastic Finish to Soccer at Ngaruawahia
Referee .John Cameron timed the three goals scored in the NgaruawahiaTauranga soccer match as being scored in the last 91 seconds of the Northern League match at Ngaruawahia on Saturday. Whether we dispute the time interval or not, it does not detract from the tension of the final two minutes in this game.
Tauranga had taken a lack-lustre Ngaruawahia United 4-2 in their first encounter but United has since improved their abilities and were expecting a win. For 88 minutes the game was locked at 0-0 with United having most of the play and running the Tauranga defense literally off their feet. Several excellent chances went begging for United and three good saves were called for from Ngaruawahia keeper Finn.
With less than two minutes remaining a short cross-field pass from Ngaruawahia fullback Jeff Tozer to Barclay Magee was intercepted by an alert Larry Seals of Tauranga. Magee made a dispairing attempt to get to the ball but Seals was away and he snapped the ball cleanly past United’s advancing keeper. This goal seemed surely to set the seal on the match and give two points to Tauranga. United had not looked like breaking through in the previous 88 minutes and several dejected supporters turned away.
United kicked off, the ball came back to Tozer who chipped through to John Brown who nipped past the square defense and equalized. With 30 seconds remaining Tauranga recommenced play, were immediately robbed of the ball and another through ball, this time by George Paul, saw Brown’s second goal struck past a determined challenge by keeper Steve Ross. Tauranga had barely kicked off again when the full-time whistle blew and United had two hectic points.
Larry Seals, striker, along with keeper Steve Ross and right back George King stood out for Tauranga with everyone going well for United and some particularly entertaining football being played. Mel Riches and Barclay Magee went well as United’s attacking fullbacks with Ken Murray causing disturbances in midfield. This win puts United in a clear second spot, three points clear of third place and five points behind Unicol with a game in hand.
Ladies A Team
Te Kuiti could only field eight players in their match against Ngaruawahia-Affco ladies ‘A’ team, played at Te Kuiti on Sunday.
From the kick-off Ngaruawahia attacked strongly, and although their finishing was suspect, it was obvious that goals must come.
In the 12th minute Ngaruawahia forced a corner after a fine move by Janice Morris and Carol Lingard. Sue Arlidge took the corner, and Carol LeGalis scored from close range with a rather weak shot that, although cleared by a fullback, was judged by the referee to be over the line.
Te Kuiti lost a player through injury, but although reduced to seven players managed to hold out Ngaruawahia until the 20th minute when left-wing Janice Morris took the ball down the centre of the field and slipped it through to Carol LeGalis whose first-time shot left the goal keeper no chance.
After a half-time talk from coach Jeff Tozer, Ngaruawahia started the 2nd half with more determination, and within 40 seconds Carol Lingard slammed the ball high into the Te Kuiti net. Te Kuiti put all seven players in defense and apart from a well deserved solo goal by Janice Morris in the 35th minute, managed to hold Ngaruawahia to 4 goals.
Players to stand out for Ngaruawahia were forwards Janice Morris, Carol Lingard and Caroline Anderson, while Dianne Fairey put on a much improved performance in midfield. However player-of-the?day must have been Te Kuiti’s goalie Tracy Polock whose confident display kept Ngaruawahia from what could easily have been a double-figured victory.
Ngaruawahia High School Soccer
The Division 4B team scored a solitary goal from Arthur Paul in going down by 7-1 to a superior St Johns team.
The girls fared much better against the Fraser U team (3rd formers) and seemed scored at will. Dianne Fairey had her first game as keeper while Lynnette Karina had a run on the field. Captain Jo Keeley was not extended in defense, and could have lifted her game and work-load. Final score 14-1.
9th Grade A Juniors
Ngaruawahia 9th grade ‘A’ retained their unbeaten record when they defeated a spirited Hillcrest ‘A’ team 3-0 on Saturday.
Hillcrest looked the better team at the start, but a goal by Mark Abbott in the 13th minute gave the Ngaruawahia lads more confidence. Shortly before half time it was Mark Abbott again who crossed the ball to striker Eugene Patterson after a breakaway run down the right wing. Eugene made no mistake from close range. sliding the ball past the goalkeeper despite the difficult angle. Ngaruawahia 2 Hillrest 0.
Hillcrest attacked constantly throughout the match and only to outstanding defence by P Frankhauser and David Tilston kept Ngaruawahia in the lead. In the 30th minute Ngaruawahia added the final goal when Eugenic Patterson picked up a deflection from a long-range shot by Mark Abbot.
With the 1st round now completed Ngaruawahia are unbeaten and have scored a total of 23 goal for and none against.
Games This Weekend
SATURDAY
Northern League v Fraser at Fraser 2.45 pm.
1st division v Hillcrest at Ngaruawahia 2.45 pm.
3rd division v Putaruru at Ngaruawahia 2 pm.
4B Schoolboys v Otorohanga at Otorohanga 10 am. Schoolgirls v Fairfield 1 at Fairfield 10.30 am.
13th grade A. v Hillcrest Berkley at Galloway 2.10 am.
13th grade B. v Peachgrove C at Ngaruawahia 10 am. 11th grade v Aberdeen A. at Ngaruawahia 9 am.
9th grade A. no game.
9th grade B. v Aberdeen at Ngaruawahia 11 am.
SUNDAY
Ladies A. v Unicol at Ngaruawahia 11 am.
Ladies B. v Hamilton at Muir Park 11 am.