BAD NEWS FOR SOCCER COACH 8-Goal Nomads Shatter New Brighton’s Record

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30420, 20 April 1964, Page 7

BAD NEWS FOR SOCCER COACH 8-Goal Nomads Shatter New Brighton’s Record

New Brighton will have sad news to tell its new professional player-coach when he arrives in Christchurch today. The club ingloriously lost its unbeaten soccer record at English Park on Saturday when last year’s champions, Nomads, cracked eight goals past a disorganised and disillusioned defence. New Brighton’s defeat and Shamrock’s 3-1 victory oyer Rangers left Shamrock undisputed leader in the first division competition, with a maximum of six points from three games.

Christchurch City’s forwards found the answer to shyness in front of goal by overwhelming University, 7-0, in another highscoring game.

Four teams with four points each are now breathing -down Shamrock’s neck, and Nomads’ record of one goal conceded and 12 scored in three games is championship form, notwithstanding their loss to Western the previous week. University and Technical Old Boys' remain the only teams without a win, and University’s defensive record —l7 goals conceded —is the worth in the competition. Results: FIRST DIVISION Nomads 8, New Brighton 0. Shamrock 3, Rangers 1. City 7, University 0. Western 3, Technical 0.8. 1. COMPETITION TABLE

Jekyll And Hyde Seasiders If a soccer team can be treated for schizophrenia, New Brighton might profitably call in a specialist this week. In a

Jekyll and Hyde performance the “two-faced” ‘seasiders crashed to a disastrous first defeat at English Park. Nomads scored once in the first Ijalf, times in the second, and finally over-ran New Brighton with ridiculous, almost contemptuous ease. Until Nomads scored a soft, unexpected goal at the end of the first half New Brighton had looked slightly -the more dangerous of the two gooji sides. Fast, racy football, lacking only a decisive touch in front of goal, had kept the ball moving in swiftly-changing patterns, bringing into sharp focus ' two strong and determined defences. Forwards had failed to find a way through because of a tendency to bunch and to overelaborate, but it had been an absorbing struggle.

Then, in the 36th minute, the first crack appeared in New Brighton’s defence. The goalkeeper, J. van Vliet, and his right-back, R. Smith, both went for a ball that was clearly the goal-keeper’s responsibility: the ball slipped from van Vliet’s hands in the mix-up and C, Martin walked the ball into the net. Perceptibly, New Brighton fell apart at the seams. Within five minutes of the second half Nomads cracked in three more goals and New Brighton was stripped of its wolf’s clothing to reveal a timorous, badly shaken lamb. It was almost too unreal to be true. If van Vliet ended the game as though he was thoroughly disheartened he was not to be blamed. Two more Nomads’ goals came because Smith misdirected back passes and left a player in possession with only the goal-keeper to beat. On two other occasions through passes found Nomads’ forwards unmarked and van Vliet a solitary and helpless figure on the goalline. Nomads took full advantage of the gifts showered upon them. No team looks more polished and unstoppable when the ball is. running so kindly, and Martin, F. Ouwerkerk, A. van Rooyen and G. McKenzie, moved from wing-half to rightwing, scored two goals each. When the two teams left the field inidget sides, from New Brighton and Shamrock filled in the 10-minute interval before the next senior game began. New Brighton held out to a 0-0 draw —how happy their seniors would have been with a similar result. Referee: Mr N. Littlewood. Rangers Hit Back Too Late

Shamrock retained its position at the head of the first division table by beating Rangers, 3-1, but did not impress in victory as it had done against Christchurch City the previous week. It was a solid, painstaking and workmanlike performance, but equally uninspiring, slow and laborious. Had Rangers attacked with such grim purpose- for the first 87 minutes as they did over the last three minutes it might have been another game tp be remembered. Three-nil down and the match seemingly lost, Rangers came back to score once, hit the bar once and strike a post once in a burst of attacking football that brought the game to life for the .first time. Because Shamrock withdraws in strength deep into its own goal area the team appears to be under constant pressure for long periods. On Saturday its defence was again solid and hard-working, but Shamrock left big gaps in the mid-field that its foraging players did not fill and its attacks lacked build-up, bite and resource.

Goal-keeping errors have been at a premium this season, and Shamrock took the lead with a shot from J. Killick that should have been comfortably saved. But M. Henderson, in the Rangers goal, allowed the ball to slip out of his hands and under his body. M. Shardlow made a desperate last-second attempt to clear the .ball but could only help it into the net. This goal did not inspire either team to renewed efforts, and the second half meandered along in much the same aimless fashion. The goal by W. Yates, a fine header from P. McParland’s equally fine centre, and by R. Strieker, a strong shot, were oases in a desert of dull exchanges and badlydirected

J. Flintham, who had been an integral part in Shamrock’s defensive plan, moved out to the right-wing for the final stages, and his absence from the goalmouth led to a Rangers’ revival. J. Ewart scored a good goal,,E. Breero hit a post and D. Lalley headed against the. bar. It was a salutary warning to Shamrock that a game is not won until the final whistle blows. Referee: Mr I. BillcliffEvans Shines In City Game Displaying a brand of football that is seldom seen in Christchurch, City was untroubled to beat a youthful and enthusiastic University side, 7-0, at Ham Park. City’s six firsthalf goals were a sheer delight. The University defence never gave up trying, but could find no answer to the pace and pre-cision-passing of its opponents The second half was more evenly contested, but the lethargic attitude of the City forwards could well have attributed to this. Most of the laurels for City’s win should be placed around the broad shoulders of the centre half, C. Evans. His ability to defend, counter-attack, and mop up after defensive lapses always had the touch of class about it.

The right-half, A. Gowans, also showed .fine defensive and attacking skills. A. Westwood proved a competent full-back and the goalkeeper, G.. Richards, although never under severe pressure, made excellent use of the ball from his goal kicks. B. Gowans and F. Madrussen were two fast and efficient wings. R. Bruce was a reliable link at insideforward, laying on -many fine passes to his wing and centreforward, B. Rumbold. W. Shannon did not have a happy day. His fetch and carry methods were commendable, but weak and inaccurate distribution nullified his efforts. The University inside forward, N. Collinson, also had troubles finding his forwards, s. Molnar and R. Lili displayed pace and persistence when in possession and at times looked likely to open the students’ scoring. The centre-forward, C. Whtehead, failed to produce the form of which he is capable, and was outshone by a promising insideright, D. Lee. Except for the useful J. Rayne{, at left-half, and the evergreen right-back. A. Shaw, the University defence was inadequate. G. Stringer had a torrid 90 minutes in goal, and was a useful if not brilliant last line of defence.

Goals for City were scored by Madrussen (3)., B. Gowans, A. Gowans, W. Shannon and B. Rumbold. Referee: Mr L. Tointon. Western’s Win Team Effort Accurate, decisive passing and and all-over consistent neatness of play enabled Western to gain an excellent 4-1 win over Technical in a bright encounter at Macfarlane Park. In reply, Technical s play was a strange mixture. Haphazard and sluggish one moment, determined and constructive the next, it finally settled into a purposeful attacking pattern. The effort came far too late, however, as Western had by this time established a comfortable 4-goal lead, and in the last 20 minutes guarded its goalmouth zealously. In spite of this Technical scored one excellent goal, came desperately close on other occasions, and gave the impression that had the playing time been extended the leeway could have been made up. Although Western’s win was a fine team effort, play hinged on the ability of four key men. An excellent goal-keeper, D. Smith, made 1 no mistakes. He stopped some shots at pointblank range and dived full length to push others around the post. Always unruffled he cleared the ball swiftly and effectively. • K. Clarke defended soundly at centre-half, and P. Frost prompted his forwards with incisive passes. At centre-for-ward, M. Clements made a welcome reappearance. He hunted the ball tirelessly and set a fine example when he scored Western’s first goal with a clean, powerful shot after 15 minutes’ play. Western’s other first-half goal was - the best of the match. From half-way Frost free-kicked to the outside-right, A. Treadwell, who headed infield for D. Bussey tp nod the ball into the net. Fifteen minutes after the start of the second spell Clements scored again from a penalty. Treadwell added the fourth goal soon after. Technical was stung into retaliation. The defence consolidated, the centre-half, I. Graham, leading the resurgence. R. Storer, who earlier had fumbled badly in goal, settled down and the full-backs, G. Massie and. J. Crookston, began to find their forwards with their clearances.

On the left-wing, W. Logan, who had been playing cleverly throughput, became a real menace to the Western defence. The right-wing, A. Verham, was also’ in good form, but it was left to the inside-forwards, B. Chee and A. Cameron, to score Technical’s lone goal. Following a corner kick by Logan. Cameron shot for goal and Chee gave added power to the ball as it flew past; to give Smith no chance. Referee: Mr G. H. Royce.

P. W. D. L. Goals F. A. Pts Shamrocfc 3 3 0 0 11 4 6 Nomads 3 ? 0 1 12 1 4 City 3 2 0 1 10 2 4 Western 3 2 0 1 4 3 4 N. Brighton 3 9 0 1 7 12 4 Rangers 3 1 0 2 5 6 2 Tech. O.B. 3 0 0 3 5 12 0 University 3 0 0 3 3 17 0