Nomads, Western Overcome Loss Of Key Players

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30443, 18 May 1964, Page 15

Nomads, Western Overcome Loss Of Key Players

The loss of five players each to the representative teams playing in Dunedin did not stop Nomads and Western consolidating their lead at the head of soccer’s first division table. Nomads scored the only goal which ended Christchurch City’s hopes of winning the Hurley Shield, while Western scored the odd goal in seven to push Shamrock out of the top bracket.

With one more match of the first round to be played, Nomads still lead the competition by virtue of their greatly superior goal avierage. University dropped further behind by losing its sixth successive game, to New Brighton, while Technical Old Boys and Rangers drew away from the danger zone by collecting a point each from a 3-3 draw. FIRST DIVISION Western 4, Shamrock 3. Nomads 1, City 0. Technical 0.8. 3, Rangers 3. New Brighton 5, University 2. Competition Table Goals

Little Cohesion In Attack In a ragged early match at English Park Nomads scored the only goal to win a particularly even. but seldom exciting encounter. Play was always enthusiastic but there was little cohesion in either forward line in spite of sound midfield play by both sets of wing-halves. Nomads had five players engaged in the representative matches at Dunedin apd City two. but there were some interesting substitutes. The-return of J. ie Poideven and F. Zielberger to the City half-line helped to compensate for the absence of G Evans, while the re-apperance of J. Bowhuts and D Ennis added interest to the Nomads' attack However, both teams had difficulty in co-ordinating their rearranged line-ups. Although Nomads succeeded in holding possession for 16nger periods it was City which looked more likely to score. But the chances went begging because the inside-forwards, R Bruce and B. Rumbold, were sadly astray with their shooting At inside-left W Shannon worked energetically for little reward D. Niven fcentre-hatf) and the goal keeper. G. Richards, were prominent in a sound City defence which paid dearly fot one of its very few mistakes The Nomads centre-forward. R. Muirson, ran in to score off a wild clearance 10 minutes before the Interval. F. Oywerkerk was a steady toiler for Nomads at Inside left, while the left-half. G. Donaldson, provided the link in midfield. Referee: Mr L. Tointon. Seven Goals In Second Half After a- sedate and goal-less first half the main match at English Park burst into life in the second spelt when seven goals were scored to give western a narrow victory Western was the main sufferer by representative com-

mitment but it was the club’s substitute players who set the game alight. The inside-right, R. Brown, struck the first match when he scored a classic goal, shooting on the turn following a brilliant left-wing burst by P. Coman. When the rightwing, A. Bishop, put. Western two up one minute later from a goal-mouth melee, Shamrock's chances looked slim. A more determined aprpoach, however, found the insideforwards, W. Yates and D. Sansbury, prompting a swift, lively attack and the centre-forward, J. Killlck, beat D. Smith from close range. Western's wing-halves, W. Rodger and J. Wooders, worked relentlessly and it was Wooders who made a lovely through pass for the centre-forward, A Treadwell, to score with a wellcohtrolled shot. When Treadwell and Brown combined for Brown to score with a stinging drive it looked to be all over, but again Shamrock revived. P. Barrett and P McParland had the Western defence under pressure and Yates scored with a fine snap shot. With time running out Shamrock gained an increasing grip on the game and another goal by Killlck narrowed the margin. In spite of Shamrock's desperate effort, the Western defence, ably led by the centrehalf, K. Clarke, held firm in the closing stages.Referee: Mr W. Robinson. Convincing Win To New Brighton Displaying fond more tn keeping with its true ability, New Brighton convincingly beat a determined University. 5-2. The students were not without their chance, however. During the first 20 minutes they held a clear territorial advantage, and notwithstanding two breakaway New Brighton goals—against the run of play—they looked capable of upsetting predictions- • , ... It was only inept finishing and an apparent lack of desire to Use the long-range shot that limited their ' goal scoring chances. As the game progressed. the inability of the University forward line to move as a constructive unit became more obvious. The defence, headed by A Ross, came through a torrid 90 minutes with full honours The wing-halves, C. Davidson and j Rayner, were seldom tn a position to display their attacking skills but during the later stages Davidson intercepted a through pass and scored a beautiful goal. *. Lili and S. Moplner were two fast and efficient wings and it was unfortunate that many of their fine cross kicks were wasted by an over eager inside trio. The New Brighton defence was equal to most demands and a solo run from Inside his own half that resulted in a goal was just reward for the nerslitent efforts of the rightback, R Foley. J. Kemp. Riling the unaccustomed position of centre-half when he came on for the injured Smith, was a surprise packet. He defended strongly and used the ball to start several attgeks.' N Robinson, at centre-for-ward, wag quick to capitalise on many fine passes from E Taylor Clever ball control ana erisp. accurate passing from Taylor was the prime factor in New Brighton's convincing win Robinsen 13). Freest and Foley scored for New Brighton, and Davidson and D Lee for the University. Referee: Mr J. Sheffield.

Shared Goals And Points Technical and Rangers shared the goals and the points at Linwood, and together moved away from the bottom position. But if two clubs are to be relegated at the end of the season, both might have reason to look back on this game with regret. Technical will recall that in the first half it had played the superior football and deservedly gained a 3-1 lead at half ; time. But when the position should have been consolidated Technical's defence cracked under pressure and allowed Rangers to gain the upper hand. Rangers will regret that they were unable to instil into their play the same fighting brand of football in the first half as they -produced after the interval and that the game had not lasted a few minutes logger. Such was their superiority at the finish over the Technical defence that the winning goal would not have been long delayed. However, overall a draw was probably a fitting-result. Both teams missed their chances but their precarious position in the competition table, with every match a battle for survival, should have made both fairly satisfied with a point. Technical was harder hit by having three players at Dunedin to Rangers’ one and in this respect did well to gain a draw. The former Canterbury representative. M. Shardlow, playing at right-Wing, sparked off Rangers' second half revival and D: Lalley, at inside-left, find A. Inglis, at left-half, came into thpir own as the ball ran Rangers’ way. In goal for Technical M. Prebble, promoted from the reserve team, played magnificently, and he remained a cool defender when his colleagues began to fail. A. Wardle, A. Chee and R Allen scored for Technical: Shardlow, Lalley and J. Hinch ley for Rangers.

P V v d L F A Pts Nomads .. 6 5 0 1 21 2 10 Western .. 6 5 0 1 14 8 10 Shamrock 6 4 0 2 17 15 8 Brighton .. « 4 0 2 15 17 8 City 6 3 0 3 17 7 6 Tech O.B. 4 1 i 4 14 21 3 Rangers 6 1 i 4 8 13 3 University « 0 0 • 7 30 0