Praise for Rangers

Press, 1 June 1981, Page 15

Praise for Rangers

By DAVID LEGGAT

The spirit and determination Rangers showed in their Rothmans Soccer League match against Woolston W.M.C. on Saturday has been praised from an unexpected source. “They really got stuck in,” said Woolston's joint coach, Mr Kevin Mulgrew. “If they put that amount of effort into the rest of their games they will upset a lot of sides.”

Mr Mulgrew singled out the Rangers player-coach, John Souter, for special admiration after the 1-1 draw which he described as a “typical derby match.” "I have never seen as many hard, physical tackles in a match. It showed that if the league was not so cut-throat Christchurch could support both teams. Youngsters on both sides were willing to fully commit themselves.”

Mr Mulgrew said Woolston had more skilful ball players, but the match followed a predictable pattern. He thought his team had done enough to win, but said that Rangers would be justified in thinking exactly the same about their performance. Woolston suffered one casualty in the match. Graham Dacombe injured an ankle and is in doubt for todays match against Dunedin City. But Rangers will probably be without their clever midfielder, John Stevens, who suffered leg injury in the opening minutes, for their match against Hamilton today.