Woolston’s fortunes rise

Press, 22 May 1978, Page 28

Woolston’s fortunes rise

By

DAVID LEGGAT

For the first time since the Rothmans Soccer League competition began this season, Woolston W.M.C. is in the happy position of having five teams below it.

On Saturday it beat Columbus Waterside, 4-1, in Wellington for its third successive win. What made its win even more meritorious was the fact that Wellington is a difficult place for any visiting team to win, regardless of the quality of the opposition.

Robbie Larter celebrated Shis return to the team with two goals while Neil Francis ■ and Stan McGaffin added the others. It was Francis’s fifth goal of the season. Trans Tours United gave a disappointing display against an enthusiastic Nelson United team at English Park

and a sharp improvement will be required if United is to make its customary title challenge. Mount Wellington continued its winning march and beat North Shore, 1-0, a Clive Campbell solo effort being the difference -— on paper — between the teams. Hamilton regained its confidence with a 1-0 win over Courier Rangers in an entertaining but physical game at Hamilton.

A fine goal by Keith Niederer in the second half won Hamilton the match. The referee (Mr John Perkins) sent off the Courier defender, Barry Dickey, and booked three other players — Dennis Tindall and Dave Hutchinson (Courier) and Harry Gilgrist (Hamilton). Stop Out managed to contain the imported Eastern Suburbs striker, Steve El-

liott, but still lost, 2-1, in Auckland, Earle Thomas getting both goals. A penalty in the second half by Jimmy Hagan saved a point for Blockhouse Bay against Wellington Diamond United in Wellington. Results: — Trans Tours United 1 (Kevin Mulgrew), Nelson United 1 (Dave Powdrell). Half-time, 1-1. Mount Wellington 1 (Clive Campbell), North Shore 0. Halftime. 1-0. Columbus Waterside 1 (Jim Richardson), Woolston W.M.C. 4 (Robbie Larter 2, Neil Francis, Stan McGaffin). Half-time. 1-2. Hamilton 1 (Keith Niederer), Courier Rangers 0. Half-time. 1-0. Eastern Suburbs 2 (Earle Thomas 2), Stop Out 1 (Ken Dugdale). Half-time, 1-0. W.D.U. 1 (Peter Brown), Blockhouse Bay 1 (Alan Hagan penalty). Half-time, 1-1.

Soccer.—The touring Scottish soccer side. Dundee, scored a 1-0 against Queensland at Perry Park. The Queensland striker, Alan Marley, a former World Cup player for New Zealand, was named the “man of the match” for his brilliant runs, which never failed to bewilder the Dundee defence.

Soccer.—The World Cup finalists, the Netherlands, beat fellow finalist, Austria, 1-0, in a friendly international soccer match at Vienna. Arie Haan i scored the winning goal in the fifty-third minute.

p w D L F A. Pts Mt Wgtn 9 7 2 0 19 8 16 E. Subs 9 6 1 2 18 7 13 B’house B. 9 3 4 2 14 12 10 Nel. Utd 9 3 4 2 10 13 10 T.T.U. 7 3 2 2 10 7 8 Courier 9 3 2 4 8 7 8 Woolston 9 3 2 4 13 15 8 Stop Out 7 2 2 3 9 10 6 North S. 9 2 2 5 10 15 6 W.D.U. 7 1 3 3 7 10 5 Hamilton 8 2 1 5 12 17 5 Waterside 8 2 1 5 8 17 5 (Woolston report. page 3, T.T.U. report, page 17.)