United still in hunt for prize money

Press, 18 July 1980, Page 22

United still in hunt for prize money

By

DAVID LEGGAT

In spite of a depressing run of recent results, Trans Tours United still has a chance of taking a share of the prize money in the 1980 Rothmans Soccer League. With this in mind, United will meet a Dunedin City side which has suddenly found itself in serious danger of relegation, at Queen Elizabeth II Park on Sunday. United has had a dismal second half of the season, a season which began in the brightest possible fashion. It had 14 points from its first eight league games. Since then, it has picked up only five points from 10 games. United lies fifth, a point behind Hanimex-North Shore and three behind Manurewa. Undoubtedly it will be a bitter disappointment to United if, after its tremendous start, it fails to win any prize money. It will face a Dunedin City team which, after seeming certain to fill- a middle-

of-the-table position a few weeks ago, is now having to prepare for a late bid to hold its place in the competition. United will again be without its sweeper, Bobby Almond, but with lan Park filling in more than capably last week-end in Invercargill, Almond’s absence might not be as bad a blow as it would have appeared. Allan Boath has a suspected torn muscle in a .leg but has a reasonable chance of taking his place in the midfield.

Two of the Rangers squad, John Oliver and Luke Campfens, have picked up the flu and, according : to Mr lan Marshall, the Rangers coach, Oliver is virtually certain to miss their match against Manurewa in Auckland on Sunday. Campfens’s chances of playing are fairly good but a final decision will not be made until tomorrow. Disregarding their first match away' to United, Rangers have won two and drawn

two of seven games away from home this season.

Their third trip of the year to Auckland is an important one for the club. Rangers have lost their last three games, scoring only once, and now find themselves with a battle on their hands.

Manurewa, after an impressive start, has faltered badly in recent weeks, yet still lies third on the points table.

Other matches are Blockhouse Bay v. Mount Wellington, Gisborne City v. Hamilton, Newsmans Nelson United v. Wellington, Diamond United and Stop Out v. Hanimex-North Shore. The draw for the Hertz League tomorrow is Technical v. Halswell United at Ensors Road, Timaru City v. Shamrock at Timaru, Nomads United v. Northern Hearts at Tulett Park and Cas h m e r e-Wanderers v. Western and New Brighton v. Woolston W.M.C., both at English Park.