Exciting Final Of Indoor Soccer

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30712, 30 March 1965, Page 14

Exciting Final Of Indoor Soccer

In th* greatest final of four years of indoor soccer, Christchurch City magnificently recovered from 2-5 down with three minutes remaining to beat New Brighton, 6-5, In the second period of extra time to win th* Mercer Cup at Cowl** Stadium last night. It was all that a final should be and kept the crowd in continuous excitement from start to finish. It completed for City a clean sweep of the senior indoor titles and an unbeaten run since the 1965 series began 10 weeks ago. Yet it was almost a different story, and would have been had Brighton not changed horses in mid-stream. For almost the whole of the second half, after the sddes had changed round with the scores level, 2-2, Brighton completely outplayed City as no side has done for more than a year . The young team of G. Spiers. J. Dohman, A. Caine and D. Moller, brilliantly led by the 'veteran'' at 21, T. Conley, forced City into panicky errors and scored three times. The game looked all over, and City’s unbeaten record a thing of the past. Switch to Pass** But with final victory so near Brighton switched from all-out aggressive attack to an attempt to keep possession of the ball with short man-to-man passes across its goal-mouth. The time-wasting tactic had paid off in other matches and the team was confident it would do so again. However, this was the odd night out for Brighton. The players faltered because they were tired and being hard-

pressed, and the eager City men needed no prompting Twice R. Bruce snapped up half chances and turned them into goals, and with seconds remaining F. Madrussen scored the equalising goal with a powerful shot.

When six minutes of extra time failed to produce a result, the captains tossed for ends to start a final session of "sudden death" soccer—the match to end with the scoring of the next goal. Both teams showed every sign of weariness, but kept up a relentless pace, and another three minutes were needed for Bruce to score his fourth goal of the game—his fifth of the night—to win the cup for City.

In the early stages City had twice taken the lead, through Bruce and Madrussen. only for Conley and then Spiers to equalise. Further goals by Conley. Spiers and Caine had put Brighton 5-2 ahead.

Stopping Shot* For Brighton. Moller played a heroic role in goal, stopping shots from all angles. Spiers was an intelligent worker, and Dohman. who came into the side as a substitute In the final after A. Dawe was hurt in the semi-finals, settled down well after a nervous start. The Gowans brothers, Tony and Brian, were strong, resourceful defenders for City, and Bruce, Madrussen and A. Westwood bore the brunt of the attacking. Once again City deserved the fullest credit for fighting back from an apparently hopeless position and taking its chances when they were offered. For Brighton it was a tragic end Ing to a match it looked to have under complete control. Results were:

Mercer Cup.—Semi-final: New Brighton 7 (A. Dawe 3, A. Caine 2. T. Conley 2), Post Office 2 (T. Harvey, G. Jones): City :i (A. Westwood, R, Bruce, F. Madrussen). Shamrock 1 (J. KUlick). Final: City 6 (Bruce 4. Madrussen 2), New Brighton 5 (Conley 2, G. Spiers 2, Caine).

Under 16 Knock-out Final Shirley High School 1, Rangers

Under 20 Knock-out Final.— Nomads 3, Rlccarton High School

Results of women's basketball: Rangiora A 16, Rex B 10; Rex A 17, Brighton A 16: Rebels A 19. Y Girls 10.