United makes changes in defensive set-up

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32588, 23 April 1971, Page 22

United makes changes in defensive set-up

(By

D. P. MANSBRIDGE)

The Christchurch United captain, K. France, will fill a more familiar role in the team’s vital Rothmans National Soccer League match against the undefeated Eastern Suburbs at English Park tomorrow.

The United coach (Mr T. C. Conley) yesterday decided to move France back to centre-half, to take up the position in which he played a dominating role last season.

T. Blake, who has been one of the dual centre-halves in the previous three matches this season, will switch to France’s old position, at leftback. Thus France will renew a highly successful combination with the New Zealand international, G. Griffiths—one they began in the Technical team and continued with United last season. DAVIS REPLACED

Two other changes have been made from the side beaten by Western Suburbs last Saturday. The injured G. Davis has been replaced by the former Southland representative, P. Dick, at rightback, and C. Attridge, a linkman, has transferred from Rangers into the United squad and will be one of the substitutes.

Although this will be Attridge’s first ap. arance in the United squad this season, he was reserve twice last year and substituted for G. Dacombe for the final 10 minutes against Stop Out. The United line-up will be: A- Fleming; Dick, France (captain), Griffiths, Blake; B Hardman, T. Randles. V. Pollard; D. Finnie, M. Ellis, K. Doomenbal. Substitutes: Dacombe, Attridge.

Doomenbal has recovered from the knee injury that caused him to leave the field

near the end of the first half against Western Suburbs. BEST POSITION The change at centreback will restore France to the position in which he most excels. He has obviously not been happy with his role at left-back, nor has he been the driving force in the defence and behind the team as when he plays in the middle. Additionally, Griffiths has always been far more effective a player in partnership with France,

However, the positional change and the injury to Davis has meant United will

be suspect, at least until Dick and Blake have had time to settle down, on the flanks.

The squad of 13 named by Eastern Suburbs includes six past or present New Zealand internationals. It is: P. Jeran, R. Gisby, C. Latimour, J. Staines, J. Campbell, W. de Graaf, P. Eliades, W. Fleet, G. York, M. Bland, K. Ironside, R. Mears, R. Couwenberg.

Rugby.—Three West Coast players have been nominated for the New Zealand Rugby trials—K. Beams (first five-eighths), B. Stewart (second five-eighths), and D, Bryce (prop).