Soccer youth

Press, 5 August 1976, Page 21

Soccer youth

Enthusiasm is high in junior soccer at present, particularly among the players, and in nearly every team a marked improvement is clear from the techniques and teamwork at the start of the season.

Soccer in New Zealand owes a great deal to junior coaches, in many cases just parents or teachers who are thrown into the job and then put much work into a good effort. Some clubs, notably Nomads, are working extremely hard for their young teams, and this is paying dividends. They attend coaching courses for the coaches and then follow these up in a worthwhile manner.

On Saturday Medbury t played Christchurch United in grade 11 in a good game, and the school side extracted revenge for its first round 1-0 loss by winning 2-0. The goals were scored by Simon Meikle and Perry Sanson, who had a good game. He distributed well and had a thoughtful game. Richard Lester on the left wing, aged nine, played well, especially considering he is rightfooted. Hamish Meikle in goal had a good game. He has matured well this season and is now a good deal more confident. Anton Vicar was the man of the match. He is a

mature player, a quality he needs to play a sweeping role behind his defence. He marshals the defence and covers well, tracks his players down and turns a weak defence into a capable one. For United, Craig O’Sullivan in goal played well. He has had much special coaching with other keepers from Ken Gould on Sunday mornings and it has definitely improved his play. At centre-back, Nigel Hewison was the mainstay of the defence. He cleared well and covered when necessary.

United is strong up front. The centre-forward, Brendan Ford, the captain. played well. He is always solid and looks to go forward. The twin strikers gregory McNeill and Stanley Whear embody many of the same qualities. They consistently play well on attack, have good control and the right instinct.

Western played Nomads in the same grade and came back from a goal down to win, 2-1. Hamish Clark, who scored both goals, had a good game, being at the right place at the right time and working well on the ball. In goal, Roger Seal showed courage in going for balls in melees and frequently' winning in cifficult circumstances. Kerry McDonald at striker

was continually involved, working hard and well, while Peter Ward had a good game as the defensive mainstay in a loose sweeping role.

For Nomads, Craig Nuttie showed a powerful shot and played the ball well first time. He is a consistent scorer and works hard.

Peter Burtt had a good game in goal, showing a good sense of when to stay on his line and when to come out. In his first year as a keeper, he has improved well this season. Bill Lacey on the right wing showed good ability to beat his man and pass the ball well, and had a good sense of timing.

Shamrock C beat Shirley St Albans, 5-0, in their grade 12 match. Malcolm Robertson at centre-for-ward scored two goals and had a fine game. His qualities were determination and a constant desire to go forward looking for goals. lan Grant at centre-back stopped many attacks and covered well while Philip Arvidson played well in the first half, building attacks and passing well. Chris Stephenson, the centre half, got involved thoroughly and was notable for his determined and strong tackling. The other goals were scored by Wayne Jelleyman and Robert Schijns, with one own goal.