Wednesday April 9th

Ngaruawahia Given Lesson in Football

Hamilton showed Ngaruawahia United what lst division soccer was all about on Saturday when they handed out a 4-1 defeat to last years’ 2nd division runners-up.

Ngaruawahia held Hamilton to 2-1 for the first 45 minutes but then Hamilton pulled out the plug and played some good football, frequently robbing United of the ball while in possession.

Hamilton made the most of Ngaruawahia’s new defensive formation lack of early season cohesion. Sandy MacDonald moved from his fullback berth to keeper after the loss to Rugby of Rex Nightingale, with two new English signings Wilf Peard and Graham Bowers, playing along-side Kevin Riley as defenders.

Hamilton’s first goal came when their attack outnumbered the Ngaruawahia defence and they worked the ball to within six yards to sidefoot it past the keeper. However Hamilton did not have it all their own way in the first half with Ngaruawahia showing some dash on attack, gaining a penalty with Charlie Gorman slotting it home to equalise.

Hamilton moved ahead with the game’s second penalty when Riley was deemed to have fouled an attacker. The shot missed but was retaken when the referee ruled that the keeper had moved prior to the kick. The second kick was reached by keeper but he could not hold it.

The third of Hamilton’s goals came from a breakaway that was struck solidly past the advancing keeper with the fourth goal coming from D. Munster who made the shot of the match by curling a 30-yard shot into the top corner. Although Ngaruawahia tried hard, they were out-classed in all areas, especially inter-passing.

Other results from Waikato 1st division : Tokoroa 2 v. Hamilton Blue 4 ; Wanderers 4 v. Teachers 1; Claudlands 3, Affco 0; Cameron the bye.

Ngaruawahia meets Claudland Rovers at home at 2.45 on Saturday. Table Placings in order : Claudlands, Hamilton, Wanderers, Hamilton Blue, Tokoroa, Ngaruawahia, Teachers, Affco, Cameron (bye).