N.Z. fights to beat English soccer side

Press, 26 May 1977, Page 36

N.Z. fights to beat English soccer side

Special correspondent Auckland The New Zealand soccer team battled its way through a sea of mud to beat Luton Town 3-2 in an actionpacked international at Auckland last night. With a blood-and guts sec-ond-half performance the New Zealanders came back from a 2-1 deficit to out-run and out-play the English second division visitors. New Zealand’s stars were the striker, Keith Nelson, who scored twice to take his international tally to 15 goals from eight games, and the defenders, Alex Young, and the captain for the night, Adrian Elrick. Luton never looked confident of a win and apart from a 20 minute spell at the end of the first half the local side was always in command.

Surprisingly, New Zealand was the fitter of the two sides and the ankle-deep mud of Newmarket Park, which caused a postponement on Tuesday night, was to the home team’s advantge. New Zealand had a dream start when Nelson whacked home a goal from close in after being put through by the winger, Glen Dods. But Luton pulled back New Zealand’s lead when after 20 minutes the fullback, Paul Price, let fly when unmarked at the edge

of the penalty area. The goal-keeper, Kevin Curtin, did not get near the shot. Curtin made amends four minutes later when he bravely saved at the feet of the Luton striker, Dave Geddes, who had only the goalie to beat.

From there on Luton piled on the pressure and New Zealand’s defence cracked again when the tourists’ cap; tain and player of the night, John Faulkner, beat two men and thumped home a 20 metre shot.

After a talk by the coach, Wally Hughes, at half-time New Zealand started the second spell looking like a different team. The Luton goal-keeper, Nilija Aleksic, was called on to make tough saves to stop shots from Dods and the improving Sam Malcolmson.

After 55 minutes the Kiwi mid-fielder, Brian Turner, was seemingly dragged down in the Luton penalty area but the referee, Ron Harries, ignored New Zealand’s pleas for a penalty.

A minute later Nelson scored his second goal when he lunged between Aleksic and a defender to scramble the ball home from close in. The goal upset Luton and tempers started to warm up. David Carr was booked for a mud-slinging exhibition and for having words with the referee.

After the booking Mr Har-

ries, in a peculiar decision, awarded a drop ball instead of the expected free kick.

After 72 minutes the sole Christchurch member of the New Zealand squad, Steve Sumner, was substituted by Warren Fleet. Sumner had played magnificently in the mud but was obviously tiring and it turned out to be a good move. New Zealand went on the rampage and finally got the winner with five minutes remaining. Again it was Nelson who caused the breakthrough when he won a challenge and set Malcolmson up for an easy shot from only six metres. New Zealand clung on for five minutes and gave the Auckland fans the second victory by a local side against an English league team. Afterwards Mr Hughes could not hide his feelings, but the Luton management hid behind the closed doors of the dressing room. The manager, Harry Haslan, who has a reputation of always smiling in defeat for once chose to vent his feelings on his players rather than the press.

Last night’s tiring match is bound to take its toll when the two teams meet in Wellington tonight, but New Zealand must now start the second international as favourite.