T.T.U. game on bar earthquakes

Press, 20 July 1977, Page 38

T.T.U. game on bar earthquakes

By

DAVID LEGGAT

Nothing, it seems, can prevent Trans Tours United from playing its first match for about a month tonight when it tackles Technical to decide the eighth quarterfinalist for the Lion Chatham Cup. Mechanical difficulties on a chartered plane, bad weather, grounds unfit for play and fog have combined to prevent T.T.U. from fulfilling its league and cup commitments, leaving it with a monstrous back-log of matches to catch up. Tonight it meets a side which has won considerable praise for its attacking approach throughout the season in the Broadlands Southern League. The match could be an attractive spectacle. One hopes that the fact that it is a cup tie does not weigh too heavily on the players’ consciences.

The match will be a test for the younger Technical players, but the guidance of

such hardened performers as the player-coach, Tom Randles, and the former New Zealand international, Gra ham Storer, should be of considerable benefit. There will also be more than passing interest in the showing of Technical’s redhaired striker, Kevin Grant, who will be up against Bobby Almond and Glen Adam. The Technical defence faces the prospect of a tiring night, with the T.T.U. front-runners, Tom Sermanni, Richard Mulligan and Mark McNaughton, all being particularly strong on the ball. On the surface, a win for T.T.U. seems likely but cup football has a habit of producing upsets. Already in this season’s cup, last year's national league winner, W.D.U., has been knocked out, by Gisborne City, which was relegated last year. If Technical can make a good start in the first half hour, when T.T.U. will be most vulnerable, a surprise result could be on.