United, Brighton in soccer cup wins

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33254, 18 June 1973, Page 17

United, Brighton in soccer cup wins

'By

D. P. MANSBRIDGE

The gap which has been growing between the top clubs of the Rothmans National League and the Southern Regional League was exposed at English Park on Saturday. In the meeting of the competition leaders in the first round proper of the Chatham Cup, Christchurch United heavilv defeated Rangers, 6-1.

While a case can be made for Rangers in that United had some incredibly lucky goals and the Southern League side some misfortune, the fact remains that in most phases of the game there was only one team in it.

Had both teams made the most of the easier-to-score-than-miss chances that came their way, the end result might well have been 11-3. Rangers were saved from a heavier defeat by United’s pathetic finishing; United had its brilliant goal-keeper, P. Dando, to thank for not having to concede more goals. FIVE TO BRIGHTON The other outstanding Canterbury area semi-final went the way it was expected to go, with New Brighton overcoming Cashmere Wanderers. 5-0, thus leaving United and Brighton to meet in the second round proper at English Park on Saturday, July 7.

The pre-match plans of both United and Rangers were similar: United set out to establish early supremacy and Rangers to get an early goal. In the event, neither can be said to have fullysucceeded, despite United changing round with a 2-0 lead and Rangers often being over-run. A. Marley, in ills last match before moving to Australia, and B. Hardman, both missed from [less than five yards, in the first [quarter of an hour. Marley ■ scooped his effort over the bar I and Hardman put his on to the . underside of the bar. Marley i too. sent another shot inches wide during this period, and all

United had to show for its complete dominance was a penalty scored by T. Randles, and awarded in ludicrous circumstances.

PROTECTED FACE The Rangers right-back, N. McIntosh, put up his hands to protect his face when F. Madrussan attempted to hook the ball goalwards. The referee. Mr R. Orr, awarded a penalty after consulting a linesman, Mr D. Kennedy. It would have been better if they had spent their few seconds together discussing the weather and the budget, and then got on with the game. United continued to pepper the Rangers goal and hard-pressed defenders but could score only once more before half-time—and this was another incredible goal. Madrussan put over a halfhearted centre, and the ball floated across the goalmouth, gently tapped the inside of the far post, and rebounded into the net.

In reply, Rangers had little to offer but much determination, a shot by M. Lanauze that went wide, and a better chance to F. Versteg three minutes from the interval. He had the ball on his weaker, right foot and Dando managed to block the ball from close range. SPECTACULAR SAVES

The goals and the misses and the spectacular saves came fast and furious in the second half, as the pace of the play slowed and Rangers threw greater resources into attack. I. Park. Marley, R. Taylor (who replaced S. Cameron with 15 minutes remaining) and Madrussan scored for United, and M. Parker replied with a fierce half-volley from 20 yards for Rangers. But the second half was dominated largely by Dando. He managed to get back and acrobatically flick a dropping ball from P. Mitchell over the bar, pull off an incredible diving save from a well-placed penalty by Parker, and also take in the top corner a header by D. Mansbridge. The Rangers defence was given a tremendous pounding bv a six and seven man United attack. Not nearly enough was done to curb United in midfield so that the back four of Rangers were left an unequal task. F. Versteg was the most dangerous

of the Southern League side’s forwards. CASHMERE WILTED

Brighton did all its damage to Cashmere in the second half after turning round 1-0 and sometimes being in trouble before the interval. Cashmere, however, ran out of steam when Brighton began building up pressure and in this game too. the final score should have been greater than five The usually lethal K. Mulgrew was badly off target with his shooting and it was left to W. Chisholm, with two headers. W. Quirke i2) and finally Mulgrew, to score the goals. Li the second half Cashmere was rarely out of its own half.