Wednesday 1 September
Cup Match Drawn
Waikato Division 2, Collett Cup
The weakness of players designated to centre-field positions lost for Ngaruawahia United the chance of taking the Collett Cup on Saturday. Waikeria made ample use of the long through ball from their goalkeeper to set up attack after attack. The bumble-footedness of the Ngaruawahia forwards when presented with an open goal gave heart to the Waikeria players.
George Sunnex scored early in the match when United had the wind at their backs. Waikeria equalised later on in the second half from what seemed to be an off-side play (according to defenders and linesman). From a skirmish in front of the United goal, Ngaruawahia moved forward to put attackers off-side and then cleared the ball. It rebounded off an attacker and forward to another who had been stranded by the green tide going out. He netted and the goal was allowed!
Harry Docherty had a bad excursion on the field, often leaving gaps for the opportunist Waikeria forwards to capitalize on. Charlie Gorman worked hard on the right and Barry White played his usual impeccable match. Rex Nightingale, in goal, was as solid as ever and took several punishing tackles with no more than a blink. With the loss through injury of Derek Jones, the usual centre-field marshall, Ngaruawahia almost lost the chance of gaining the Collett Cup.
A replay at Waikeria is scheduled for this Saturday to decide the recipient of the Cup. Transport leaves from Pharo’s corner at 7.00 p.m.(sic)
Team: Nightingale, Frankhauser, White, MacDonald, N. Gorman, Janssen, Mark, Turner, Rose, Sunnex, Docherty.