Hamilton wins soccer

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34132, 20 April 1976, Page 28

Hamilton wins soccer

(N.Z. Press Association) AUCKLAND. Hamilton must rate as one of the best soccer teams in New Zealand, yet it still awaits the chance to make the Rothmans National League—in a grand display it beat Gisborne City 3-1 to win the Air New Zealand Cup yesterday at Newmarket Park and has now collected five national league “scalps” in recent months. its victory yesterday was almost total. Apart from a 15 or 20 minute period before and immediately after the Gisborne goal, Hamilton was in command and its win was, from the time John Ravenscroft put it ahead in the thirty-sixth minute, rarely in doubt. Onlv when Hamilton, midway, through the second half, appeared content to hold on to its 1-0 advantage, did the game fail to sparkle. Led expertly by the effervescent Keith’Nelson, Hamilton showed it meant business. The defensive unit of Ray Powell, Alex Young, Harry Gilchrist and Bill McGowan was tight and allowed the City attack little room. Behind them their keeper, Jim Barry, tried hard to silence his critics and made just one mistake — and that contributed to the sole Gisborne goal. Otherwise he gave a competent display. The mid-field trio of Ray Little, lan Dolman and Ravenscroft held perhaps the real key to the Hamilton success. With Ray Veall missing from the Gisborne links, Hamilton was able to dictate the terms and by keeping the pressure on with some hard, determined running, gained the all important supremacy in the "engine-room.” Up front, Hamilton was unbeatable. With Dennis Tindall pushing forward from the midfield to complement the im-

pressive duo of Nelson and Barry McKenzie, Hamilton was in command and in no mood to let Gisborne take over.

Of the Gisborne players, none were more impressive than the defenders, Stephen Grout and John Hill, Jim Lavery in the mid-field and the striker, Bobby Craig.

But it was Nelson who had the magic touch. He set up Ravenscroft for the opening goal when he pulled down a cross and

pushed the ball wide, and clear of the defenders, for Ravenscroft to fire the ball into the net. For Hamilton, the Broadlands League title seems a mere formality — but it is national league status it is chasing and few can deny that it is now ready to take its place — just ask North Shore United. Eastern Suburbs, Blockhouse Bay. Mount Wellington and Gisborne City — the five league sides it has beaten in recent times.