Chch United avenge loss

Press, 3 August 1981, Page 21

Chch United avenge loss

Christchurch Mogal United produced some of its best form of 1981 in decisively beating a disappointing Dunedin City. 3-1, in a Rothmans League soccer match at English Park on Saturday evening. There was generally sound, assured defensive work: industrious. constructive midfield play, and sharp, incisive attackirig from a team which has only occasionally displayed the type of soccer it should be capable of offering. In contrast. Dunedin City only rarely gave glimpses of the sort of form which has carried it into second position in the league. There was little sign of team work or discipline, and the defence was directly responsible for giving United its three goals. The win will have given United two reasons to be satisfied with its efforts — its hopes of finishing among the lop three received a healthy boost, and it gained sweet revenge for its elimination from the Adidas Chatham Cup a week ago at the hands of the same team.

United had two particular heroes on Saturday night, its skilful striker. David Jackson, and the young central defender. Alan South. Jackson s ability to shelter the ball in tight situations and his running into spaces played a large part in creating splits in an already leaky Dunedin defence. South bottled up John Russell, potentially one of Dunedin City's more dangerous attackers, giving him no freedom, and won a lot of ball in the air.

The match began brightly, faded midway through the first half, and after the interval flickered into life with increasing frequency until it burst into full colour in the final minutes.

With Russell largely ineffectual. and Pat Berry riot having one of his better games. Dunedin City needed the inspiration of its Scottish midfielder. Terry Wilson. and the hard-running of George Caird and Brian Tuck for its offensive possibilities.

Wilson toiled hard and showed some lovely left foot distribution, but the players behind him had problems. These were compounded when the centre hack. John Scholten, was carried off with a gashed leg midway through the first half, forcing a positional reshuffle.

Twice Kees Doomenbal had headers fly high and wide from excellent positions, and Dunedin

City's goal-keeper. Jim Taylor, had a busy night. James Margaritis. Mike Cantin. and Graeme Archer all had chances and Taylor did well to block lain Marshall's shot when the midfielder superbly stole in behind the defence to pick up a Margaritis cross. Jackson gave United a ninth minute lead when Paul Hillis made a dreadful hash of tidying up what was effectively an up-and-under from Pat 'Sharkey. Jackson nipped in and finished it off well, slotting the ball inside the far post. Dunedin City's first chance did not come until eleven minutes before half-time when, from a good move, lan Boaths fierce

low drive was well held bv Barry Pickering, who was in commanding form in United's goal. After an hour. United added its second goal, which should have made certain of the win. Doornenbal capitalised on another mistake to burst clear and score. At this stage. United looked especially eager and sharp, there was plenty of commitment. But then it went off the boil, the edge went off their game, and Dunedin City got back in the match. Caird sent a header across the face of the goal after fine work down the left bv Tuck; Mike Reardon headed a Berry cross against Pickering; and the ball was kicked off United's line in one hectic scramble.

Ten minutes from the end. Russell found some space and his well directed header from Berry's cross sneaked inside the post.

But Dunedin City's hopes ot a last-ditch comeback were shortlived. A minute later, yet another defensive mistake left Jackson clear. He rounded Taylor. but the veteran goal-keeper brought him down. The referee. Neil Burt, awarded the penalty, which Pat Sharkey duly converted.

Tuck forced Pickering to brilliantly block a snappy vollev. just before Mr Burt had to limp off with a strained leg muscle. He was replaced bv one of his linesmen. Arthur Edwards.