Difficult tie for United

Press, 12 July 1980, Page 56

Difficult tie for United

By

DAVID LEGGAT

With a fourth Rothmans: League title well out of Trans Tours United’s reach, its fourth round Adidas Chatham Cup soccer tie with Invercargill Thistle at Invercargill today assumes extra importance.

It is difficult to imagine a more testing tie. While United knows very little about' its southern zone opponent, Thistle will undoubtedly be well prepared for the match. Its coach, Peter Dick, is a former United player and obviously will have assessed any possible weaknesses in United’s makeup. Mr Brian Hardman, _ the United manager, admitted that it was important for the team to do well in the Cup, but added that he still wanted to take a share of

ston was beaten, 2-1, by Thistle in the third round of the Cup last month. “He has given me a little bit of information on them,” said Mr Hardman. “They appear to be quite physical, thev compete for every ball, and’ this is a good thing, especially in Cup tie soccer.” United’s prospects have taken a blow with its international sweeper, Bobby Almond, already having been ruled out through injury,

the prize money in the and Frank McKay’s chances national league. of playing are still uncer» He has spoken with Tre- tain. vor Reece, one of the play- Mr Hardman said he had er-coaches at Woolston yet to decide on the final W.M.C., about Thistle. Wool- composition of the side, but

said that if McKay 'was fit, he would revert to a 4-3-3 formation. He said that lan Park and Steve Sumner, who were used as strikers against Hanimex-North Shore last week-end would return to their usual positions and Allan Boath, who filled in for Almond, would also return to the mid-field. The remainder of the draw is.— Northern region: Otara Rangers v. Blockhouse Bay, Takapuna City. v.. Hamilton,

Manurewa v. Mount Wellington; Central region: Stop Out v. Manawatu United, Wellington Diamond United v. Wellington City, Newmans Nelson United v. Gisborne City. Western will be hoping for a repeat of its 6-1 win over New Brighton earlier in the season when the teams meet in the Hertz League at English Park today. In the early game at the same venue, Woolston W.M.C., another with strong claims for the title, will meet Technical. In the other matches, Halswell United will meet Nomads United at Halswell Domain, Shamrock will play Cashmere-Wanderers at Riccarton Domain and Northern Hearts will meet Timaru City at Timaru.