The Huntly Press
Wednesday 21st June 1978
Junior Soccer
After defeating Hillcrest A in their previous match it was a slightly over confident Ngaruawahia team that took the field against Hill-crest B on Saturday.
Hillcrest attacked strongly from the in the Ngaruawahia defence. In the 10th minute the Ngaruawahia full-backs were caught well out of position and Hillcrest had no difficulty putting the ball past goalie Craig Durham to take the lead. The shock of seeing the ball in their own net for the first time this season seemed to provide some motivation for Ngaruawahia, and they soon started putting pressure on the Hillcrest defence. Shortly before half-time left-wing Gavin Skewes put in a good cross to Mark Abbott who slammed the ball through a packed defense into the corner of the net to make the half-time score 1-1.
The second half produced some exciting football but no more goals. Both teams had scoring chances and Ngaruawahia goal-keeper Craig Durham pulled off some great saves from close range shots. Most of the play was in Hillcrest’s half but a sound defence and poor finishing by Ngaruawahia kept the final score to 1-1, a fair indication of the game.
Outstanding players for Ngaruawahia were goalkeeper Craig Durham, and forward Gavin Skewer and Mark Abbott.
Northern League
Fraser managed to literally scramble a draw at home against Ngaruawahia United. With no score at the turn, it was a cross-field shot by Ken Murray that put United ahead. But with 15 minutes to go Fraser netted after an unsighted hand-ball had the defense appealing to the referee instead of playing on. The ball had been carried forward on the forearm of a Fraser. striker prior to striking it home with a miskick.
Sean Finn pulled off some spectacular but comfortable saves while United had most of the play and moved the ball about well. Fraser played a style of football reminiscent of the old Cameron squad – with a very physical approach. United found that to get anywhere against them, as the referee seemed to condone this style of play, United had to drop their standards and play in similar vein.
1st Division
Apart from two excellently taken goals by Glen Solomon, United were hardly in the race against Hillcrest who won 3-2 at Ngaruawahia.
Ngaruawahia’s defense held the ball a fraction to long in the second minute and John Shaw made it 1-0 to Hillcrest. United equalised in the 17th minute when Tony Armstrong took a free kick just outside the area and curved it past the goal. Andy Bell flicked it back to his brother David and David’s low cross was picked up by Glen Solomon who shrugged off two close tackles and powered the ball over the head of the keeper.
Hillcrest again went into the lead in the 30th minute when a Richard Morton cross was carried into the net by the swirling wind. Craig Stewart made it 3-1 in the 75th minute with an acutely angled snap shot.
United pulled one back when the Hillcrest defense had been pulled across out of position and Glen Solomon was on hand to net his second. Final score 3-2.
3rd Division
United kept up their good performances with a 4-0 win over Putaruru at home. Trevor McLaughlan led the scoring with two Bruce McIntosh and Ricky Duffell added on. This keeps United in the top of the table and a good position for the subsidary competition break.
High School Girls
With several girls being unavailable through injury or other commitments, Ngaruawahia High School drew 0-0 with Fairfield No 1 team. The Ngaruawahia girls played like china dolls for most of the game instead of putting their football together.
High School Division 4B
Playing against at least four fourth formers and a team vastly superior in size and kicking ability, Ngaruawahia went down 1-4 with a solitary goal from Arthur Paul. Ngaruawahia played better football than in previous games but could not match the size of their `3rd form’ opposition.
Other Results
Ladies matches cancelled. 13th grade ‘A’ 0 v Hillcrest 1. 13th grade ‘B’ 3 v Peachgrove 1. 11th grade 1 v Aberdeen 0. 9th grade ‘A’ 1 Hillcrest 1. 9th grade ‘B’ 4 Aberdeen 0. 9th grade ‘C’ 0 Huntly 8.