BRISTOL ROVERS WIN, 3-0 “Smash” and “Grab” rob Canterbury of hope

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33541, 23 May 1974, Page 24

BRISTOL ROVERS WIN, 3-0 “Smash” and “Grab” rob Canterbury of hope

(By

D. P. MANSBRIDGE}

It was “Smash” and “Grab,” living up to the goal-hungry reputations that had preceded them to New Zealand, who sabotaged Canterbury’s valiant attempt to stay within reach of the English professional soccer team, Bristol Rovers, before a crowd of 6500 at English Park last evening.

Canterbury had held Bristol to one tragic “own goal,” conceded after only two minutes of the match, to half-time, and had not only denied the highly-paid professionals a clear-cut scoring chance, but had itself gone closest to getting an equaliser.

Then, inside a minute of the resumption, Alan Warboys and Bruce Bannister, the pair whose goal - scoring abilities have won them the nicknames of “Smash” and “Grab.” struck the match-winning blows.

Bannister got the first, with an accurately-placed header from a cross by K. Stephens, which was struck down into the comer of the net well out of the reach of the despairing fingers of the New Zealand goal-keeper, P. I Dando.

Straight from the kick-off, Bristol won the ball, and Warboys burst through the defence, shrugged off a challenge by G. Griffiths which Griffiths protested had been a push, and gave Dando no chance from close range. So. from 1-0, Bristol was suddenly 3-0 ahead, and "Smash” and “Grab” had done the damage to Canterbury as they had done throughout Bristol’s recordbreaking run of 27 unbeaten games, which won the club promotion to the English second division, in the recent British soccer season.

Dogged defence It was a position from, which Canterbury had no real ( hope of making an effective, recovery. But not one of the I provincial players would acknowledge the position was i now hopeless. They refused Bristol an-! other goal by determined,! dogged defence, and in breakaways went desperately close to scoring twice. The unluckiest man was the Christchurch United striker, I. Park

Just for once Bristol’s huge centre-back, M. Green, was unable to counter a cross from the left. The ball drifted an inch or two higher than he could jump, and Green was only able to deflect it to Park.

He had no time to bring the ball down or for a clear

.sight of the goal. But Park’s i shot had the Bristol goalI keeper, R. Sheppard, completely beaten, only for the ball to strike the near post and rebound into play. Canterbury’s last chance came in the dying seconds, following a corner by the substitute. F. Madrussan. Canterbury attackers and Bristol defenders played ping-pong with the ball, before P- Aitken,’ with acrobatic scissors kick, cleared off the line from Park’s final header.

Manager impressed After the match, the Bristol manager (Mr D. Megson) .who was in New Zealand I with the English F.A. side in 1969. and had said he would Ibe watching to see what improvement had been made in soccer here since that visit, was impressed by the whole Canterbury effort. "The thing that stood out was the way in which Canterbury managed to contain our players and prevent the side establishing a rhythm of play. We had to fight for everything we got,” he said. He praised the whole team, but singled out the young New Brighton linkman, A. Smith, as being outstanding. “And what pleased me even more was to be told that Alec is New Zealand born.” Mr I Megson added. He thought that where the , Canterbury play failed was in its slowness to push the ball through quickly. “Matches :are won in the opposing 18vard box and we got into that region three times more !often than Canterbury.” Unfortunate start

The match opened in tragic circumstances for Canterbury. and particularly for the United full-back, L. Blyth. A shot from F. Prince which Dando had covered was deflected off Blyth’s head in the opposite direction to which Dando was moving. He tried to get back but it was a vain attempt. *For the rest of the half Bristol was well contained, Griffiths making a good job policing Warboys and France keeping a tight hand on the middle. Dando had to deal with two difficult crosses — and dealt with them superbly — but there was just as much danger at the other end.

K. Mulgrew made the best chance with a magnificent run down the left and a pass to K. Morton, and the finishing shot from a narrow angle swept into the side-

Bristol, perhaps stunned a little by its own inability to take control of the play, also perhaps by the fact that the referee, Mr C. Houston, was not inclined to allow any liberties to be taken, and Canterbury’s players were just as quick to retaliate, came out for the second half in rampaging mood.

Dando had to make one great intervention to stop Warboys getting in a shot, but then came the twin goals from the Bristol strikers to bring down all of Canterbury’s hopes.

Smith deserved all of the praise he received from the

Bristol manager; his ball control and competitive nature were unmatched. B. Hardman, too, was another great success. He fought hard from start to finish, and had one fine shot that went close.

Strong games Blyth and Almond both played strong games, and Blyth made one magnificent interception and tackle when Warboys was bursting through with the goal otherwise at his mercy, which atoned for his early own goal. Mulgrew ran strongly without once having the opening to put in his fierce shot. Park had a tough night’s work combating the height and strength of Green, but well deserved to get one of the two scoring attempts he made in the second half.