Canterbury’s top ’keeper in doubt

Press, 31 May 1977, Page 42

Canterbury’s top ’keeper in doubt

Bv

BARNEY ZWARTZ

Luton Town has scored most of its goals in New Zealand by lethal long shots, but the man chosen to defend Canterbury’s goal in the match at English Park tonight might not be fit to play.

Keith Bowley. the Frans Tours United goalkeeper injured his shoulder in Sunday’s match against Blockhouse Bay and. according to the Canterbury coach (Doug Moore), his chances for tonight are less than 50-50. Moore should know early today, but he is not too perturbed. He considers he has two of New Zealand’s best keepers in his squad and will have “absolutely no reservations” about playing Brighton’s Richard Wilson if Bowley is unfit. But whoever is in goal spectators should watch for Luton’s long shooting. Any one of half a dozen players is lethal given the smallest of openings from up to 30 metres. Moore Is firmly convinced that Canterbury can win with the proverbial 100 per cent effort, against a formidable combination that just missed promotion to the English first division. “But we also need 100 per cent concentration. Against a side like this a one second lapse in concentration - watching the ball, not the man — is likely to be punished." He thinks Canterbury can certainly make it a night to remember and acquit itself well, whatever the result. “This is our aim, to go out there and not look embarrassed in that company. It would be silly to make rash predictions of how we’ll murder them because they are top class professionals and have their pride as well,” he said. “Many of our players, it

si has to be said, are those' - who failed t< make it at - home. But deep down we all ■ feel we were good enough, j.and this is our opportunity 4 1 to prove it, to show that we r are in the same category. “If we can do it it will /give the 'ads tremendous -.’satisfaction. As for the young Kiwis, like Mike j’Glubband Mark McNaugh--iton, they have the world to liwin, and want to win it,” - Moore said. He has worked out some f special tactics, although nothing “over-elaborate ” It I'all depends on how well r Luton lets Canterbury play, /’because Canterbury knows si what it wants to do. t “We’ll be going forward ) and looking for goals.” Moore said. j His side will be Bowley or n Wilson; Ross Durant, Glen r Adam, Bobby Almond - Laurie Blyth; Johan Verweij, tj Steve .Sumner. Bill Arney, ■ iMike Glubb, Mark McNaugb j ton. Franco Madrussan. ifi Luton is keeping its play I ’tiers’ numbers as close asj - ’possible to those in the ■ match programme, according e tn its coach (Roy McCro- • han). Graham Jones is down as n 13. and Luton superstitiously o | does not carry a 13 shirt — I*'no English club does. Mr ’McCrohan says Jones Willi 0 play in 14. He promised Luton would! pigo all out to win, with the! emphasis on attacking foot-1 e I ball. A young side has been j. named, le! It is Milija Aleksic; Paul! .Price 2, John Faulkner 5,| it!Jones 14, Peter Mead 12;|

! Ricky Hill 6, Dave Carr 4, i Pasquale Fuccillo 10; Jimmy i I Husband 7, Gary Heal 9,! ’Brian Chambers 4. The midfield is particu-j larly impressive, featuring i Hill, a skilful, iivewire j player, and Fuccillo on the: flanks. Both were outstanding against New Zealand in Wellington. ’ Dave Carr, the third! ! midfield player, was a idefender before the tour but! I was moved into midfield be-! !cause it was thought he had’ (promise there. This had been justified, Mr McCrohan said. Steve Buckly and Dave! Geddis are nursing minor injuries, but could come on as (substitutes if needed.