Technical In S.I. Cup Final

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31737, 22 July 1968, Page 13

Technical In S.I. Cup Final

Technical (Christchurch) versus RoslynWakari; Eastern Suburbs (Auckland) versus Thistle (Palmerston North)—this is the lineup in the island finals of the Chatham Cup, the matches to be played on August 10.

Thistle caused the great upset of the zonal finals on Saturday when ft defeated the 1966 champion, Miramar Rangers, 3-0, at Palmerston North.

Technical made hard work on a bumpy ground to beat Nelson United, 1-0, A. Caine scoring the winning goal in the seventysecond minute. Soon afterwards the same player missed a penalty. Eastern Suburbs had to go to extra time to beat Hamilton. The score was one each after 90 minutes, but Suburbs then netted twice, 30 seconds after the start of extra time and again 30 seconds after the final period began. Roslyn had great territorial advantage in its 3-1 defeat of United (Invercargill), but after leading 2-0 was in trouble when United reduced the deficit. However, Roslyn had the resources to hit back once more and clinch the issue. Technical had most of the play and most of the chances against Nelson United, but was unable to find the rhythm to turn its play into more goals. Nelson was particularly well served by its goalkeeper, J. Wilson, who made some splendid saves. But he was not tested as strongly as he might have been, had Technical been able to press home its advantage to the full. Technical was handicapped by an injury to K. Pahl, who had to leave the field in the seventh minute and was replaced by P. Kay. Two goals in the eighteenth minute of each half, by its centre-forward, R. Harris, tipped the scales in favour of Thistle. A third goal, by the wing, K. McGeehan, 10 minutes from fulltime, clinched the game. Many of Miramar’s efforts were thwarted by the vigilance of the Thistle goal-keeper, L. Cutler. H. Greasley, G. Brand and S. Bruce broke through on many occasions but Cutler's feet and hands appeared to be everywhere. Eastern Suburbs’ gbals were

scored by the New Zealand internationals, W. de Graaf (2) and J. Legg. D. Bain netted for Hamilton.