Brighton back on top; United 5th

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33532, 13 May 1974, Page 22

Brighton back on top; United 5th

New Brighton has thrust itself back into the lead in the Rothmans National Soccer League. After one-third of the 1974 competition, the seasiders and Mount Wellington are the only unbeaten teams, and Brighton heads the Auckland side by one point.

Before the biggest — and loudest — crowd to watch a national league match in Christchurch ,— 7200 — Brighton beat Christchurch United by the only goal scored, at Queen Elizabeth II Park yesterday.

Although United had most of the play, particularly in the first half, it was Brighton that took one of the few clear-cut chances that either defence allowed, and United which missed its opportunities.

With this defeat United slipped back to fifth place, being overtaken by Blockhouse Bay, which outplayed Eastern Suburbs by three clear goals in Auckland yesterday. Stop Out, held to a 1-1 draw by North Shore United on Saturday, dropped from first place to third, with the

same number of points as Mount Wellington, and also one behind Brighton. The Mount, with a game in hand of the other leading clubs; remains the favourite for the title. The Auckland club again showed the power in its attack by scoring four times in the last 25 minutes in overwhelming Wellington City on Saturday. Wellington - Diamond United became the prime contender for the promotion-

relegation series when it lost. 1-2, to Gisborne City yesterday, and remained the only club without a point. x Results and table.— New Brighton 1 (K. Mulgrew), Christchurch United o—halftime 0-0. Gisbome City 2 (L. Cudd 2), Wellington-Diamond United 1 (K. Millar)—half-time 1-1. Blockhouse Bay 3 (I. Ormond 2, M. Farac), Eastern Suburbs o—half-time 2-0. Wellington City 0, Mount Wellington 4 (W. de Graaf 2, B. Turner, E. Thomas)—halftime 0-0. North Shore United 1 (K. Hobbs), Stop Out 1 (G. Paddison penalty)—half-time 1-1. Goals

(Brighton v. Christchurch report, page 11.)

p W D L F A Pts Brighton 6 4 2 0 15 6 10 Mt Wgtn .. 5 4 1 0 18 7 9 Stop Out .. 6 4 1 1 13 6 9 B’house 6 4 0 2 11 5 8 Chch Utd .. 6 3 1 2 8 6 7 N. Shore .. 6 2 1 3 10 13 5 Wgtn City .. 6 1 2 3 10 13 4 E. Suburbs . . 5 I 1 3 6 12 3 Gisborne 6 1 1 5 16 3 W.D.U. 6 0 0 6 5 15 0