NATIONAL LEAGUE SOCCER United gains control and wins, 4-2

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33568, 24 June 1974, Page 10

NATIONAL LEAGUE SOCCER United gains control and wins, 4-2

“The Press” Special Service

WELLINGTON.

Managing to make the most of its chances for one of the few times this season. Christchurch United beat Stop Out. 4-2, in a Rothmans National Soccer League match at Te Whiti Park yesterday.

United showed more; penetration up front and greater cohesion in midfield, where B. Hardman, in particular, had an outstanding game. United also had 'a lot for urhir-h tn thank its eoal-

keeper. P. Dando. Twice in the first half he smothered the ball at the feet of the Stop Out striker, G. Paddison, when Paddison looked almost certain.to score both times. Then, in the same half, Dando finger-tinned a

scorching free-kick by S. Boyland just round the post. United only spoilt its copy-book when 1. Park and S. Sumner had their names taken during a tempestuous second half.

It was during this spell that the referee (Mr R. Harries) lost control of the game and made some amazing decisions, handing out free-kicks as if they were sweeps at a children’s Christmas party.

Stop Out looked sluggish in defence and equally slow up front, and never really managed to take a grip on the game. In fact, the further the game progressed. the better United played as Stop Out continued to fall apart, especially at the back.

There were early warning signs that Stop Out might be in trouble as United set up two good attacks down both wings in the first few minutes; botli almost led to goals. 1 DEFENSIVE WEAKNESS

Even then, the usually sound and secure Stop Out defence was caught flat-footed and allowed the United strikers far too much freedom of movement. As a result, it came as no surprise when K. Doornenbal scored for United in the sixth minute when he neatly first-timed the ball home after Park had I hit the cross-bar with his shot. ’ After that initial set-back, [Stop Out started to move with | more purpose. But Dando cut ;out the two chances which Paddison had, before finally conceding a goal in the thirty-third minute, when the Stop Out newcomer, S. Natynecek, equalised from close range. Three minutes later, the Stop Out link-man, K. Barton, his team's best player on the day, almost scored a sensational goal when he blasted a running firsttime shot from 35yd against the cross-bar. PENALTY GOAL But the United defence survived those crises and in the second half began to take control. It went ahead in the sixty-second minutes with a penalty by Park, after the referee alleged that Doornenbal had been fouled by the Stop Out playercoach. M. Tillotson. After that the game deteriorated into a series of incidents, with United managing to play i the better and. when necessary, ! more composed football. T. Randles, who never really showed up, scored for United in the seventy-second minute, and six minutes later, Sumner added the fourth goal when he moved I past two Stop Out defenders.

Barton scored Stop Out’s second goal from a melee in front of tile United goal when most clocks had already indicated it was full time.