The Huntly Press
Wednesday 28th June 1978
United Two, Finn Two
Having been humbled 6-0 by Rotorua Suburbs in their first encounter, Ngaruawahia-Affco United’s Northern League squad were out to show their form improvement in their home soccer match on Centennial Park.
There had been doubt as to whether the game could be played on the pitch as a council employee had, a few days previously, undersown the pitch and ridges were there to make the field alomst unplayable. However a light rolling cured the majority of the problem and all was well,
Although no goals came in the first spell of 45 minutes, it looked that this must be United’s game. Rotorua’s keeper, Lloyd Price, on three occasions stopped what should have been certain goals. David Parker kept good tabs on striker John Brown, preventing any effective attack from the quarter. To give an idea of the play, United had 12: chances to Rotorua’s 5, that with an ounce of luck, could have been goals.
Suburbs Peter Davies tested Shaun Finn in the I Ngaruawahia goal with a I close drive from an angle, but Finn was equal to the occasion. It was in this half that Suburbs keeper Lloyd Price was injured in an aerial clash with winger Jeff McLaughlan. Play was held up for some time but the keeper played on, nursing what must have been badly bruised ribs. Three minutes later the incident a goal by John Brown was disallowed for an infringement that went unnoticed by many spectators.
From this let-off Rotorua came straight back and a less than firm long drive was mishandled by Finn who was unable to turn and recover the ball before it crossed the line. Peter Davies nearly had Suburbs second when he ran well through five tackles to shoot wide.
Barclay Magee set up United’s first goal by quickly sending a free kick to Ken Murray. Murray laid it on for John Brown to equalise from a close angle. Three minutes further on Jeff McLaughlan drew the defense to him on the left post and then snapped the ball across to Jeff Tozer for the easiest of goals with Ken Murray also there to make sure Tozer didn’t miss.
United gained the ball from the kickoff and worked a time-wasting move in their own half that lead to a free kick for Rotorua about 25 metres out. Herman Wys took it and chipped for the crossbar, Finn, unable to tip it clear, heard the ball rebound off the bar and felt it strike his back and go into the goal for the equalizer, at 2-2. United did not have time to go ahead as the fulltime whistle sounded almost immediately after. United had twice as many chances as Rotorua but still had to be satisfied with a draw.
Ngaruawahia Soccer
With a string of losses behind them, NgaruawahiaAffco United’s 1st division squad looked forward to possibly breaking the run with their match against Fraser. After their previous dose game against Hillcrest things were starting to click. In the previous encounter with Fraser United had come away with a 2-0 win at home.
Playing with a slight breeze, United started the game but found themselves down 1-0 after ten minutes when a chip over the defense found a Fraser forward who lobbed the ball over the challenging Ian Innes in goal. While United were still settling down Fraser doubled their score.
Glen Solomon had United’s better chance when he got a break on the defense but skied the ball over the crossbar. It was apparent that when Ngaruawahia began to move the ball about. gaps were exposed in the Fraser defense but poor finishing gave Fraser no real trouble, as Fraser’s reserve keeper did his part well.
In the 15th minute all of United’s forwards combined to give them their sole score, and from then on they applied continual pressure, especially the combination of Tony Armstrong and Phillip Bullivant.
Fraser’s final goal came from a break down the right wing with the runner netting from a fine chip over the keeper. Notwithstanding the possession and territorial advantage that came United’s way, it is the goals that determine the outcome, and Fraser’s counted. United ran continually with Tony Armstrong, Phillip Bullivant and William Harding playing prominent parts in the team. 3-1 to Fraser.
THIRD DIVISION
Staf Magee, Trevor Mc Laughlan and Bruce Mc Intosh scored in the first half to give Ngaruawahia a 3-0 advantage at the turn against ‘Fe Kuiti but then
in the second half to
come away with a lucky 3-2 win. The game was played at Te Kuiti.
CANCELLATIONS
All junior and secondary school games were cancelled as was the ladies No. 2 team against Hamilton. The ladies No. 1 had a bye with the withdrawal of Te Kuiti.