Key player injured

Press, 2 April 1979, Page 32

Key player injured

Special correspondent Auckland Trans Tours United may have dropped more than just a couple of Rothmans Saucer League points in its 1-2 loss to Courier Rangers in Auckland yesterday. Bobby Almond, the linchpin of the Christchurch defence, was carried off with what appeared to be cracked ribs midway through the second half and his chances of more early season matches must be doubtful. “That’s four injuries this week,” lamented the United coach (Mr Brian Hardman). “What can you do with a run like that?” Yet United overcame a hay field of a ground to grab an early lead in the opening national league clash of the season.

The bearded Johann Verweij had a shot blocked on the edge of the penalty area in one of the Christchurch club’s frequent first half raids. The Courier defence was slow to tackle and Verweij, back from a spell in Holland, clotted his left-footed shot under Kevin Curtin. Jack Schuurman had hit the bar in an earlier Courier raid and he followed up before half-time with some penalty area acrobatics and flicked the equaliser past Peter Moot. At the break United decided football was impossible on a surface that did the national competition no credit. Steve Sumner and co. elected to play the long ball into the Courier area where Barrie Dickey was in complete charge.

After Almond’s injury — he collided with his own goal keeper — United lost belief in itself. Schuurman, midway through the half, scooped a through ball on to Peter Henry, the former Waikato winger. Henry, moving swiftly, rounded the defence to pump the winner past Moot. There was just time for Richard Mulligan to race down the left and hit the post. The substitute, Paul Geoghen, tried without luck to stab the rebound into the net. Non-Auckland clubs should take note of the shocking Seaside Park surface. Courier will take points off many sides in this season’s eompetition wfien playing at home,