Sports features Character evident in ranger's first national league season

Press, 27 August 1980, Page 14

Sports features Character evident in ranger's first national league season

By

DAVID LEGGAT

At the start of the 1980 Rothmans Soccer League, the popular Rangers coach, Mr lan Marshall, said his team "will only succeed as a unit,” He added that if Rangers were relegated there Would be “no excuses.”

With its first full season in the league now behind it, his first remark has been proved correct and his second unnecessary. Rangers can only be relegated if Blockhouse Bay perform a minor miracle by beating Mount Wellington by three clear goals.

Had it not been for plentiful helpings of determination, character and sheer guts, Rangers could easily have fallen back into regional league soccer, In addition, Rangers survival assuming it does hold its place — is a strong vindication of Mr Marshall’s policy of sticking with the players who got Rangers into the national competition.

Mr .Marshall was criticised for his failure to sign players with past- experience in the league, players who seek the bright lights and free perks at the expense of such old-fashioned but still respected values such as loyalty. tie must have wondered ; occasionally if he was adopting the right policy, but if it is true that tljg end justifies the means, Mr Marshall can have no

lingering doubts about the wisdom of his actions. There were three times of crisis during the league programme for Rangers, but on each occasion the side pulled through. Any one of those times could have been the start of the end fo- a young team that lacked Rangers’ fortitude. The first came midway

through the second match against Stop Out. Trans Tours United had dished out a morale-crushing 5-1 defeat in the opening match, but that margin was, in retrospect, probably misleading. However, when Rangers conceded two goals in the first 20 minutes against stop Qut, the pressure was really on- But the team’s policy of always taking a positive approach paid a spectacular dividend — they scored four

times, then withstood a late , revival to record its first win.

The second crisis point came when Rangers met Manurewa at- Auckland, with three successive defeats — and only ope goal — immediately . behind themRangers won the match, played in thick mud, 1-0, to once more give them some breathing space. Then came perhaps the toughest assignment of the lot. Rangers had to take, at the very least, a point from their final match at Hamilton to have ■ any chance of surviving the drop back to the regional league. Rangers got that point, deserved to win the match, and, with Stop Out being beaten, held their place on goal difference. Any team which . can show resilience of that sort deserves commendation, However, one quality Rangers certainly lacked was consistency. From week tP week its play varied from very poor — Blockhouse Bay and Wellington Diamond United at home being prime examples to entertaining, adventurous and impressive — here the home games against Hamilton and Dunedin City spring to mind. The defense had some bad moments, but in con-

trast, its efforts against United ■in the second round —• and Hamilton were outstanding. Brian Reeves' was producing some commanding performances in goal until he was badly injured, while Alan South gave evidence of a bright future at centre back.

John Oliver, Trevor Blake . and Tony Steer all played their parts capably while 'John Souter, who captained the side from sweeper, made up for a little . shortage in pace with some sound reading of the play. The midfield was a particularly young one, lan Cowan, Scott Dewar, Rob and Luke Campfens being barely into their twenties. Cowan impressed with his strong, aggressive attitude, but occasionally ruined his play with a rush of blood to the head where a pooler approach might have brought a better result. His goal against United at Rangers Park remains an outstanding individual effort. :;

Rob Campfens was, consistently, Rangers’ best passer. His ability to da the simple things well and quickly assess a situation was missed wh en he moved overseas late in the seaspp. 'Dewar, Gordon pgichnie and Luke Campfens ah had thpir -moments. Faichpie’s work op the side in the. first half of the season being of considerable value, Dewar and

Campfens will have learnt a lot from the year, and will be expected to make a valuable contribution next season.

Neil Francis stood out, as he did with Woolston W.M.C. two years ago, as his team's most dangerbus attacking player. Perhaps more use could have been made of his speed for, when at his best, he troubled the tightest defences,

Malcolm Parker will probably remember the season best for two goals he scored. The first, a low drive from 20 metres against Hamilton, caused his boot to fly half that distance through the air. The second, probably the most spectacular goal of the season in Christchurch, was against Dunedin City when he beat three defenders and -hammered a . 30-nietre drive into the top corner of the net.

Steve Welford had few opportunities to show his speed, and found it difficult to command a regular place.

Rangers deserve praise for another aspect of sqc, cer — its publip relations could not be faulted, On this showing, the £lub proved it has something to offer, the league,. Jippe-? fully it will absorb the lessons of the first yea? and return next season to solidify ifs position iii the country’s premier soccer contest.