Clear-cut Win Puts Technical In Final

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31755, 12 August 1968, Page 15

Clear-cut Win Puts Technical In Final

Never spectacular, but always sound, steady and welldisciplined, Technical Won through to the national final of the Chatham Cup when it beat Roslyn-Wakari, 3-0, in the South Island final at English Park on Saturday.

Technical led, 2-0, at half-time and clinched the match with 12 minutes remaining when a centre from the left-wing, P. Kay, floated the ball over the heads of defenders and attackers, hitting the post and rebounding into the net.

It was a fitting finish, for the aggressive Kay had himself taken a terrible pounding in the battles that waged down his flank. His duel with R. Ramsay and M. Clyma had been a minor battle inside the major struggle, but Kay won it finally.

Yet Technical should not have gained such a clear-cut win. Roslyn made the tactical mistake in the first half of playing its goal-scoring centre-forward. A. Middlemiss, deep in defence. But when he was switched to his normal position in the second haff, Middlemiss virtually lost the match for his team. Good Chances Missed

Three times he was in excellent positions to score—once from only three yards out—but the aopes of his side died as he missed each time. The Technical goal-keeper. A. Marshall, made a superb interception when it seemed he must be beaten: next the Technical centre-halt. G. Griffiths, stuck out a frantic foot to deflect the ball away from the goal: and finally Middlemiss mufled the easiest one of all when he put the ball over the top from three yards. But Middlemiss was not the

only offender. Twice in the last five minutes, when Roslyn refused to give up although the battle and war seemed lost, B. Paterson was wide and weak with his shooting. The nearest a direct shot went to scoring for Roslyn came when Technical was only one goal ahead, and Clyma’s 35yard drive, backed by the wind, cracked against the bar and rebounded out of play. Instinctive Effort In contrast, Technical had no more chances of scoring than Roslyn but took three of them. The player-coach, J. Chalmers, set the pattern in the fourteenth minute. The ball finally reached him on the edge of the penalty area after Kay and K. France had shots cleared. Chalmers had little time to prepare himself; it was an instinctive shot. And the ball was in the back of the net before anyone could move. Technical s second goal followed 17 minutes later. France placed a free-kick on A. Dawe’s head. The wing nodded it downwards and S. Squire complaced the set-piece. The man-of-the-match for Roslyn was its right-wing. J. Bunyan. His own speed and control, and h|s understanding with Paterson brought the greatest danger to Technical’s defence and it was Bunyan who suffered from Middlemiss’s failure in front of goal. Technical’s greatest deeds were done just outside the team’s penalty area and in midfield. G. Davis, at right-back, and Griffiths were in magnificent form, both moving rapidly out of defence when the occasion demanded. Backing them to the hilt were Chalmers, always in command and giving Technical the leadership on the field Roslyn lacked, France, more like his old self than at any other time since his return from injury, and A. Hawthorn, who had the hardest task of all attempting to subdue Bunyan. Tremendous Worker Complementing all their work was B. Wilkinson, whose little legs carried him on when other players were flagging in the heat. There was one occasion when Wilkinson went down

and did not Immediately bounce back. But only one. He began the move that brought Kay's goal, opened the way twice more for chances not taken, and destroyed a dozen or more Roslyn attacks.

In its six cup matches to date. Technical has conceded only three goals, two of these in one match, to New Brighton. It is an impressive record. However, the forward play was not nearly so convincing. Dawe spoiled sevetM chances of linking with his team-mates by holding the ball too long, and Kay, on the other wing, was not a success, except for the vital goal he scored. The centre-forward. A. Caine, too often allowed himself to drift out of the game when he might have come back to pick up passes, but he had one great shot from a slick FranceWilkinson - Dawe movement which deserved a goal. Roslyn's most dangerous period came in the first 10 minutes when it attacked strongly, and Paterson narrowly missed twice and Davis made a splendid interception. But Roslyn, by withdrawing its power from the centre. lacked the thrust to take advantage of this opening, and was never again allowed any leeway. Gaps Left In Defence Technical punished itself most severely when it left gaps after defenders had carried the ball through. These were not filled quickly enough, and Roslyn was dangerous in sharp counter-attacks, particularly those spearheaded by Bunyan. Technical has proved itself this season to have all the assets of a cup-fighting team—strong, determined defence, the patience to chip away until openings are made, and the strength of mind not to panic if they come slowly, and the happy combination of opportunism and luck to pick up goals when they are most needed.

And they will need these qualities at Wellington, on September 7. when the club meets Eastern Suburbs (Auckland) in the national final. Suburbs, with six internationals in their line-up, will probably start favourite. But Technical has thrived on being underestimated. It can do so again. The teams were:—

Technical.— A. Marshall; G. Davis, A. Hawthorn; K. Franpe, G. Griffiths, J. Chalmers; A. Dawe, B. Wilkinson. A. Caine, S. Squire, P. Kay. Roslyn.— D. Frame; R. Ramsay. B. Matheson; M. Clyma. M. McKenzie. P. Lawson: J. Bunyan, B. Paterson, A. Middlemiss, T. Smillie, R. Byers.