NATIONAL SOCCER LEAGUE Warning for Chch United

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32700, 1 September 1971, Page 28

NATIONAL SOCCER LEAGUE Warning for Chch United

(By

D. P. MANSBRIDGE)

“Don’t read more than there is into our Chatham Cup defeat to Wellington City. Our target has never been the ‘double.’ It’s the national league title we are after, and we are still the favourite.”

That was the clear message the Mount Wellington coach, Mr K. Armstrong, yesterday had for Christchurch United.

The Mount, which has the inside running in the chase for the title and first prize of $4OOO. in spite of two recent shock reversals will meet United at English Park on Saturday. Eastern Suburbs, the present league leader, one point ahead of Mount Wellington but having played one game more, opposes Blockhouse Bay on the some day in a match which also vitally concerns United. Blockhouse, United and Gisborne City are contending for the third prize of $lOOO, and the Bay would put the issue beyond doubt if it managed to beat Eastern Suburbs in its final match. TWO MATCHES United is three points behind Blockhouse, Gisborne is trailing by four, but both have two matches to play. United has Mount Wellington on Saturday and Western Suburbs on September 18, and on the same days Gisborne will play Mount Albert-

’onsonby and Mount Wel-

lington. With three tough matches to complete the season, Mr Armstrong cannot be too happy with Mount Wellington’s recent results, even if he is publicly showing no concern. After a long, successful run, the Mount has lost twice in its last three matches—to Stop Out in the league and Wellington City in the cup. But if the strain has brought its toll on the Mount, it has no less affected Eastern Suburbs.

Eastern went down to Dunedin Suburbs on the same day that the Mount was defeated by Stop Out, and then only scrambled home to a 5-4 win over Gisborne after being 5-2 ahead. Neither club can afford a slip-up on Saturday. And, to add spice to the week-end’s fixtures, United and Blockhouse are equally in need of victories. ARMY SERVICE United had one player in doubt for Saturday’s game with the Mount, and it was again the unlucky right-back G. Davis. This time it was not injury that threatened him (he has been out for most of the season with a broken wrist and a wrenched knee), but Army service. Davis had to go into camp next week-end. However, United wrote to the Army authorities seeking his release for this week-end, and this has been given.