1978 Press Report, June 7th

The Huntly Press

Wednesday 7th June 1978

Ngaruawahia-Affco Goal Every 8 Minutes

Nobody expected 11 goals in the space of 90 minutes on Saturday in the soccer match between Ngaruawahia United and Turangi at Ngaruawahia.

United had previously beaten Turangi 3-0 away and were easily confident of another victory, but how great that turned out to be.

United kicked off on their bumpy pitch, downhill and within two minutes had forced a corner. Mike Lid­dle whose corners through­out the game were to prove exceptional, took the kick and floated it into the area. Turangi went up for the head, only to put it straight to Mike Heappey’s head. From three metres out Mike picked his spot and United seemed to be set for a large win,

Inexplicably United went slightly off the boil and Turangi came back into the game, giving United some trouble in defence. Jeff Mc­Laughlin, United’s left win­ger was looking exception­ally sharp and twice had his shots tipped wide.

However the 25th min­ute saw a delightful looping drive from Turangi’s Chris Best equalise at 1-1 and Turangi looked to be in with a chance.

In the 35th minute, Mike Heappey, on the half-way line, set Jeff Tozer away with a delicately lobbed through ball and Tozer put United back in front 2-1. Unspectacular, but efficient work, was done by Barclay Magee in mid-field both in defence and attack. The 40th minute saw Mike He­appey move down the right wing, cross the ball onto Liddle’s head who, in turn, played it onto Tozer, whose header arched over the keeper for United’s third.

The last two minutes of the half were full of action. Ken Murray, playing in the halves, was always look­ing dangerous especially when coming through at speed and struck the post with a boomer. Kevin Fleet reduced the deficit to 3-2 for Turangi with an opportunist angle shot that went in at the far post, leaving the United defen going the wrong way. But United had the last say when again, Heappey set up Ken Murray for a half-time tally.

Ngaruawahia now seemed to be able to cut through a slow Turangi de­fense at will, but put it di­rectly at the keeper or hit the woodwork Turangi contributed United’s fifth goal with an awkward backpass to their keeper, that went over his head. Barclay Magee, not happy with the way United were outstripping the opposition, fouled a Turangi striker and Kevin Fleet patched Tu­rangi’s third and last goal. Tozer hit the woodwork twice, the side netting was hammered and the keeper got in the way to keep Un­ited’s score respectable.

Heappey made it 6-3, Ken Murray 7-3 and Tozer pushed in Mike Liddle’s successful challenge on the keeper for the final 8-3 tally. Arie Vanderswan in centrefield for Turangi got through a tower of work and seemed to be their outstanding player. All the United players worked hard, especially Georgie Paul, Ken Murray and Mike Heappey.

Girls have 3-2 win

The Ngaruawahia High hoot girls soccer team defeated Cambridge 3-2 at Ngaruawahia High School on Saturday morning. Captain Jo Keeley start-the fray with a well-taken long shot that was re­plied to by Cambridge for 1-1 first half. At this stage Keeley swapped with Lynnette Karina in goal and in the second half Jen­ifer Clow pulled Ngaruawahia away to a 3-1 lead before Cambridge pulled one back in the last 15 minutes.

Betsy Maxwell had an ex­cellent game, Gail Dalbeth played a fair first game and should improve steadily while Karina Graves played solidly and looks effective in the front line. Adri­anne Kaui and Sharon Mabbett show some style and will prove to be a de­finite asset in the future.

Claudelands Rovers Over United

In the Waikato first div­ision soccer, United crash­ed heavily to Claudelands Rovers 4-0 with goals from D. Barnes (2), G. Hender­son (penalty) and R. Han­erbury.

United’s Malcolm Burt struck an early penalty straight at the Rovers keeper and Jim McCaig missed two easy goals.

However it was Rovers who dictated play. United gave them a lot of room to work in, which Rovers re­lished and their goals were relatively easily come by.

Matamata Trounced

Steve Williams, Keith Flockhart, Rodney Hill and Trevor McLaughlan con­tributed to Ngaruawahia United’s 4-0 win over a happless Matamata in the Waikato third division soc­cer competition.

Despite the score-line, United did not get their own way, and it seems as though the “fame” of Un­ited’s ace goal-grabber, Staf Magee, has spread, as he is so closely marked that he is now compelled to lay off the ball for others to net.

Prowse and Paul Score

Trevor Jobb opened the account for Fairfield against Ngaruawahia High School Division 4B before Ngaruawahia could settle down, but it was not long before Ngaruawahia began to combine for the first time this season. Under the management of Mr Wardell the boys began to stop their infighting, a prime cause of their earlier de­feats, and started scoring. Murray Prowse netted twice with Arthur Paul gain­ing the third. The split score was 2-1 to Ngarua­wahia.

Gary Mudgway worked hard in the forward line as did Alan McLean in the backs. Arthur Paul tended to hold the ball too long but was rewarded with his goal. Solomon Rajendram and Richard Wardell show im­provement form. Ngaruawahia missed many other chances that could have increased the score.

Last Week’s Results

Northern League defeat­ed Turangi 8-3; 1st division lost to Claudelands Rovers 0-4; 3rd division netted 4 goals against Matamata’s nil; ladies’ A slotted home 8 goals to nil versus Wand­erers; ladies’ B continued consistent form in their 0-7. loss to C’audelands; High School girls won 3-2 over Cambridge High School; High School div. 4B gain­ed their first win 3-1 over Fairfield; 13th grade A drew with Melville 1-1; 13th grade B lost to Hillcrest 1-4; 11th grade Hukanui defeated them 0-1; 9th grade Fairfield went down 3-0; 9th grade B had a clear win over Pukete 7-0.

Ngaruawahia’s Weekend Soccer Games

Northern League v. Turanga at Ngaruawahia at 2.45 p.m.; 1st div. v. Tokoroa at Tokoroa 2.45; 3rd div v. Morrinsvi.le at Morrinsville 1 p.m.; Ladies A v. Te Kuiti at Te Kuiti 11 a m.

Sunday; Ladies B v. Wanderers at Ngaruawahia 11a.m. Sunday; High School girls a bye; High school boys v. St John’s at Nga H.S. 9.30; 13th grade A v. Marist at Nga. no. 1, 10 a.m.: 13th grade B v. Gordonton at Gordonton 10 a.m 11th grade v. Berkley at Berkley 9 a.m.; 9th grade A v. Hillcrest A at Hillcrest 9 am.; 9th grade B v. Knighton B at Ngaruawahia. No 2, 10 a.m