United true to title in Rothams win

Press, 10 April 1978, Page 20

United true to title in Rothams win

By

DAVID LEGGAT

Trans Tours United hammered home to Courier Rangers one of the golden rules of soccer in its Rothmans Soccer League match at English Park on Saturday. In winning, 2-1, United showed excellent teamwork and cohesion against a team which looked—with one outstanding exception—like a group of individuals linked together only by the colour of their shirts. The first half was very even, both teams creating chances, three of which were taken. Strangely, the United defence was a little sloppy at times and indeed it was slack marking which, in part, gave Courier its goal. Kees Doornenbal jypened the scoring after 10 minutes when he beat a defender and left the Courier goal-keeper. Kevin Curtin, standing with a superb leftfoot shot from just outside the penalty area. It was Doornenbal’s second goal of the season. | Ross Durant showed for the second week running that he is shaping up into a very useful attacking force. Last Sunday it was his surging run down the right and.'subsequent crdss which . enabled Richard Mu'lfean to score' Un’ted's second goal. On Saturday, another powerful run ended with a good low shot from the edge of the area. One spectator, with an obvious penchant for sarcasm, suggested that he is now a better attacking player than defender. After 20 minutes. Courier drew level with one of the best pieces of football in the entire match. It strung about 10 passes together before its player-coach.

Dennis Tindall, crossed the ball from the right wing. Dave Hutchinson. Hutchinson—who otherwise had contributed little—flicked . the ball on with his head for Dave Taylor to push the ball past the United goal-keeper. Peter Moot, from am. Taylor had made one of the late runs from the blind side for which he. like the former England player. Martin Peters, has become renowned. ; Soon after this, Mark McNaughiton headed the bail towards the goal from a left-wing corner. It (saw Curtin push the ball on to ithe cross bar. from where it ‘rebounded out for Kevin Mulgrew to head it yet again on to the bar and over the top. Courier persisted in pulling 10 men back on defence on occasions even in the first half, leaving Hutchinson as the lone attacker. After half an hour. Richard Mulligan, who had injured his foot in a tackle with Taylor just before, hit a fierce right foot shot from 25m. forcing Curtin to produce a diving save. One minute later Steve Sumner fought off the challenge nf 't’avlor io push the ball square i for lan Park to stab jf into the net from right in front. McNaughton missed a good chance Io nut United ' further ahead hut dithered with the hall 8m from the goal when a shot was reouifed. • Tindall, who find » bad dav. missed Probably ' the. easiest chance he has ever haff ifust before half-time. It was a miss which proved more crucial as the game wore on. A dispute over the ball between Taylor and Doornenbal.

who was roughly dragged away by . ..Tindall, , resulted in a tree kick to Courier just outside the penalty area and straight in front. Taylor blasted the ball, which rebounded off Moot. With the United defence slow to recover; Tindall found himself with the ball at his feet five metres from tire open goal. Somehow he contrived to slide the ball well wide of the left-hand upright. United effectively dominated the second half. Its task was made considerably easier by the apparent reluctance of Courier to attack. A distinct lack of imagination also hindered the chances of the Auckland side. Taylor was always dangerous, while Barry Dickey had a satisfactory match in the heart of the defence. Grahan* Storer tried hard all day. but found his efforts to be, generally-, in vain. Glen Adam had an outstanding game for United, winning everything in the air, while Sumner. McNaughton and Muigrew all had useful matches. United’s best player, however, was Kees Doornenbal. who troubled the Courier defence continuously. The teams were:— T.T.U.—Peter Moot; Ross Durant. Bobbv Almond. Glen Adam. Trevor Reece: Richard Mulligan (replaced by Frank MiKavi, Steve Sumner Kees Doornenbal: Kevin Muigrew, lan Park. Mark McNaughton. Courier.—Kevin Curtin, Rienv Marek, Barry Dickey. Reuben Milner. Gborge Woods (replaced by Peter Lepperi; John McDermid (replaced bv Bob McConnell) ■ Dave Taylor. Graham Storer; Dennis Tindall, Dave Hutchinson. Alan Redding