New Brighton hangs on

Press, 26 July 1976, Page 17

New Brighton hangs on

(Bv BARNEY ZWARTZ) A fiercely-disputed, penalty—successful only at the second attempt—was the difference between a shamefaced New Brighton and rustically vigorous Nelson United in their Lion Chatham Cup soccer battle at Nelson on Saturday. The margin in no way indicated the vast flood of sustained pressure soaked up by the Christchurch side in the second half, but Brighton found untapped reservoirs and emerged with the game’s only goal—which is all that will be remembered five years hence. Brighton elected to defend throughout the second half to try and hold its slender lead, and the side retreated in waves before continuous Nelson attacks. conceding all but the penalty area, where it held sufficient dominance to win the game. Nelson played good, traditional cup soccer, running its heart out and pressuring the seasiders in a way they had not encountered this season. But. unfortunately for Nelson, Its effort was at the cost of originality and Imagination—vital ingredients against a side as workmanlike as Brighton—and its two or three simple chances were not put away. Nelson had a barrage of shots during the game, but less than

20 per cent were on target, and most were from the edge or outside the penalty area. Its attacks lacked penetration from that point. This, however, should not detract from a magnificent performance from Richard Wilson in the Brighton goal. He inspired his team with a display as solid as the Rock of Gibraltar. Nelson's coach, Kevin Fallon, furiously disappointed after the game, said Brighton should be embarrassed to enter the next round.

He described the referee, Jack Perkins, with a string of expletives, and it is true Perkins did not have a game he will remember with pride the rest oi his life. Martin Stewart, the Brighton coach, admitted afterwards that he vas glad it was over, but added that he always knew it would be hard and paid tribute to the running ana teamwork of the Central League side that was more impressive than his own. WORKED HARD Nelson’s two wingers, Ken Cresswell on the left and Dave Powdrell on the right, were most impressive. Powdrell, unlike Cresswell, was not in top form, but he grafted and worked harder than anyone and was always involved. It was he, however, who com-

mitted the most unforgivable sin of the match when he burst clear with the ball at his feet, one defender to beat and two team-mates In support, yet allowed himself to be committed and shot wide. He also conceded Brighton's penalty in the twenty-second minute when he was ruled to have pushed Frank Madrussen chasing a free kick. The penalty decision itself was naturally unpopular with the crowd hut what really made them bitter was that Keith Barrett in goal saved Fred Roest’s kick virtually straight at him, but was ruled to have moved too early. Alan Smith netted the second attempt. The most intriguing duel of the match was between Smith and Cresswell, with the outstanding 17-year-old wing taking the early honours. But Smith showed much courage and character in his dogged perseverance, and the score was about even at the end. Brighton took a little longer to settle at the start than Nelson, and here the seasiders’ left back, Paul Glasson, made himself Invaluable. He defended fluently—a job made harder when Rab Brown, in the middle of the defence, was at first uncertain—and moved forward well to distribute among a midfield that never had a chance to settle.

Mike Glubb and Graham Dacombe worked and ran continuously to fight and chase for speculative long balls, a dispiriting job when the midfield lacked cohesion. DACOMBE INJURED One of Stewart’s reasons for pulling back in the second half was an injury to Dacombe. which brought Stan Woolliscroft on for him 13 minutes into the half. Andy Lower, the captain, played a vital role in the second half while never reaching the heights. Roest, Peter Bennie, and Johann Verweij all showed touches in midfield, but never looked a unit and seldom looked creative, apart from a few good one-touch football moves in the first half

Madrussen looked the saddest player on the field. He was never really in the game, but never really had the opportunity, not being a ball winner. For Nelson, Julius Beck, the veteran campaigner, was decidedly useful, while Keith Mackay and John Enoka, in midfield, and Charlie Ure, up front, all w’orked extremely hard, while never establishing that final stamp of authority. The Brighton dressing-room after the game was deathly silent and it was more than just the fatigue left when every ounce of energy has been drained.