United gets only goal

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33520, 29 April 1974, Page 15

United gets only goal

•• D.c Pre-s' Special .Wria•> AUCKLAND. “I wish we had never beaten Christchurch United the first time we met them, back in 1970. It's been a hoodoo on the duh,” said a Blockhouse Bay official, after the Rothmans National Soccer League fixture at Western Springs on Saturday.

A goal by I. Park just before half-time was enough to settle the ninth league meeting between the two clubs, give United its fourth point in two days and gloss over [the disappointing start the 'defending champion has made [to the season. The Blockhouse official was referring to the opening day I of the first season of national ■league football, four years I ago, when Blockhouse out(played United, 4-1, at English (Park. Since that date the Bay (has beaten its Christchurch [rival only once more — and that was in the Chatham Cup (last season.

The wind, the rain, the cold and a patchy pitch all contributed to bringing down the standard of play in this latest encounter at the weekend, and there was probably not more than the one goal between the two teams. When a biting wind occasionaly died down, icy rain lashed the players and spectators. A ball in the air was a ball that went anywhere, and neitiier side was able to mount more than the odd promising movement. The only goal came eight minutes before the interval, and followed a bad clearance by Blockhouse's international defender, G. Lake. Park fastened on to the ball, beat K. Stratful, drew J. Morris out of his goal, and neatly slipped his shot just Inside a post. BETTER CHANCES

Over all. United had the more and better scoring chances. The first went to T. Randles within the first five minutes but he only stabbed his effort into Morris’s hands. F. Madrussan was wide with his finishing shot after a strong run. and two of the finest attempts came from W. Arney.

' half-chances. but he was onl> inches wide with the first and brought out a great diving save front Morris with the second In the dying stages Park had another chance to score, after being sot up in front of goal by Madrussan. But this time he put his shot wide and high. Bockhouse, in contrast, made only one telling burst—a solo effort by the Little wing. C Campbell. But his finish did not match his build-up. Otherwise, the Bay forwards were comfortably held by the United defence, with K. France and G. Griffiths in commanding form in the middle. B. Hardman was again in great form, either deep in defence or backing up bis attack, while N Moran ran hard and well, troubling Bay occasionally with his centres from either wing.