Soccer rivals set for another duel

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32903, 29 April 1972, Page 4

Soccer rivals set for another duel

Among the soccer games most awaited by Canterbury supporters are the annual clashes between Christchurch United and Eastern Suburbs. Invariably, they produce tightly-contested football, and their first meeting of 1972 at English Park this afternoon should be no less exciting. Although Suburbs have fashioned a superior record in the Rothmans Natiqnai

(By D. P. MANSBRIDGE) League to United — a second and a first to two thirds — the Christchurch club has the better record between the two teams. In 1970, the first year of national soccer, it was 2-1 to Suburbs, 3-2 to United; in 1971, 1-0 to United, and 2-2. Thus, United has had two wins, a draw and a loss, to Suburbs’ one win, a draw, and two defeats. Without any doubt the most crucial of the four clashes was the second in 1970. It was also the most costly. Suburbs at the time were leading Blockhouse Bay by two points, with two more games to play. It could not afford to lose to United as Blockhouse had the better goal average.

Right from the start, this match at Newmarket Park was tense and enthralling. United took a 2-0 lead through goals by T. Haydon and V. Pollard, the strong mid-field pair. Suburbs cut back the lead with a goal just before half-time and then equalised soon afterwards from a hotlydisputed penalty. Both of Suburbs goals were scored by W. de Graaf. This reverse stung United into furious activity — and into producing a winning goal that few who saw it will easily forget. From deep in his own half Pollard pushed the ball upfield to Haydon, who headed the ball between two Suburbs’ defenders. F. Madrussan took it on the

run and drove a fierce shot into the net. This match did more than virtually assure United of third place. It cost Suburbs the championship and $2OOO. On the same day, Blockhouse narrowly beat Gisborne City, 4-3, and a leading official of the Bay tells of officials and players dancing in the streets of Gisborne when the result of the United-Suburbs match came through to them.

The earlier game that season went to Suburbs in the last 12 minutes when they overcame a 1-0 United lead with goals by de Graaf and R. Mears. Madrussan again scored for the Christchurch club.

The 1971 meetings were equally close. United got through by an own goal from J. Staines at English Park, and then lost a 2-1 lead in Auckland when its

goal-keeper, A. Fleming, returned the favour by punching the ball into his own net.

All three of Suburbs’ key strikers in today’s game have scored goals against United. De Graaf has got three, Mears, the left wing, one, and M. Bland two, but the latter scored them for Gisborne in the 1970 season before he transferred to Suburbs. Until this season, de Graaf has played as an attacking linkman, but has now been moved into a permanent striking

Staines will again be the pivot of the defence, as he was against New Brighton earlier this season, when Bland and de Graaf scored the goals by which Suburbs won 2-0. He will remember the goal he gave away that produced United’s win last season. At few other times in United’s 18 league matches at English Park have its supporters been more on edge than they were in 1971. The final minutes ticked slowly away as United desperately held on to its 1-0 lead. United has had its best start in the national league this season, its six points in four games being two more than in 1971 and one ahead of the 1970 tally. Undoubtedly, United will have to maintain its record against Suburbs this season if it is to challenge for the championship. It will therefore hope to win today.