Rangers suffer big defeat

Press, 29 June 1981, Page 3

Rangers suffer big defeat

Rangers played their own version of Telethon in yesterday’s Rothmans Soccer League match against Manurewa at Rangers Park, and got thrashed, 7-0, for their efforts. As if Manurewa was not good enough to create its own chances. Rangers donated three goals, then conceded two more in the final minute, to suffer their worst league defeat. It was also Manurewa’s best win in the competition, yet only in patches did it hit top gear against an inept Rangers team.

Two of Manurewa’s three first-half goals were directly attributable to defensive mistakes by Rangers. Although Manurewa looked a more composed, skilful team than Rangers, it had not carved many clear cut opportunities, in spite of having the greater share of possession.

After the interval, with the result certain, Manurewa pushed forward repeatedly, leaving big gaps in its defence. Sadly, Rangers were unable to capitalise. Paul Glasson, Ralph Trowbridge and Brian Chisholm all had opportunities. John Souter was the pick of the Rangers team, generally doing his defensive work soundly and distributing the ball ’ intelligently. Manurewa’s was largely a team effort but Peter Bryson, Alex Metzger, Mark Armstrong and Neil Birch stood out for work rate and their ability on the ball. Greg Hough opened the scoring in the seventeenth minute when he headed a rebound over the Rangers goalkeeper, Mike Fulham. A dreadful error by Scott Dewar allowed Bryson to break away and slip the ball tidily past Fulham nine minutes later. Five minutes before the interval, Paul Dabner was far too slow in getting a pass away, he lost possession, and after good teamwork by Hough and Bryson. Shaun Baxter turned the ball past Fulham from 10 metres. A fine cross from wide on the right by Birch was firmly headed into the comer of the net by Armstrong for the best goal, seven minutes after the interval.

Armstrong picked up his second goal 15 minutes from the end when he nipped in to nudge the ball into the corner after three defenders dithered over clearing a relatively-harmless cross.

A minute from the end, Metzger set up David Bright, whose low shot beat Fulham from 20 metres. Armstrong then scored his third goal with the final touch of the game when he headed a cross into the net.

A much-improved second half performance enabled WoolstOn W.M.C. to draw, 11, in its vital match against National Mutual Miramar in Wellington.

But, Josh te Kaat was sent off in the final minute for a professional foul on Miramar’s Peter Mendham. In addition, two Woolston players were booked, Keith Francis and Ray Faithful. Paul Cameron put Miramar ahead in the twenty-third minute, but Colin Currie equalised 18 minutes from the end, with a goal from close range. Christchurch Mogul United was well beaten, by Mount Wellington'in Auckland. The 3-0 win means the Mount has scored 15 goals and conceded none in its last four games, championship-winning form, which has arrived too late for the club. Hamilton's late bid to avoid relegation continued as it recorded its fourth win in five games, beating Takapuna City. Dunedin City suffered its first loss and relinquished its position as the only unbeaten team in the league. Results:

Mount Wellington 3 (Tony Sibley, Keith Nelson, Glen Adam). Christchurch Mogal United 0. Half-time 0-0.

Dunedin City 0, Wellington Diamond United 2 (Wynton Rufer, Mike Simenoff). Halftime 0-2.

Rangers 0, Manurewa 7 (Mark Armstrong three, Peter Bryson, Shaun Baxter, Greg Hough, David Bright). Half-time 0-3. National Mutual Miramar 1 (Paul Cameron), Woolston W.M.C. 1 (Colin Currie). Halftime 1-0.

Takapuna City 0, Hamilton 1 (Graham Fleming). Halftime 0-0.

Gisborne City 0, HanimexNorth Shore 1 (Brian McKeown). Half-time 0-0.

ROTHMANS LEAGUE Pt P W D L F A Dun City 14 9 4 1 27 12 22 Nth Shore 16 10 2 4 28 19 22 Mt Wgtn W.D.U. 17 9 3 5 38 12 21 14 8 3 3 24 10 19 Chch Utd 14 5 6 3 13 8 16 Gisborne 10 y 1 *> 24 6 15 Hamilton 17 5 4 8 14 25 14 Miramar 16 4 6 6 13 27 14 Woolston 17 3 5 9 19 42 11 Manurewa 10 4 2 4 21 13 10 Takapuna 16 3 4 9 20 34 10 Rangers 17 0 4 13 10 43 4