Selwyn tightens grasp on championship

Press, 10 August 1981, Page 20

Selwyn tightens grasp on championship

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Onlv one team has a chance of overbading Sel*yn-Hi»morton in the senior mens hoC A ey .^ m ‘ monship, but it would take a Sne effort by the challenger and a dramatic loss of form by th High d School Old Boys and Wirewood had a slender chance to 3 share the title with Selwyn before Saturday. But both tost by one goal margins Harewood to University and Old Boys to Sydenham-Cashmere The only team left with a chance of overhauling Selwyn is University, the title winner for the previous 14 years. But it will have to win its last three games, including a match against Selwyn, and Selwyn will have to lose 'its last three. Three quick goals in the firsthalf ensured- Selwyn of two points against Redcllffs on Saturday. Seiwyn’s performance was a meritorious one on a soft, bumpy ground ' at Burwood Park. It played its normal passing game very effectively, and Redcliffs

had no answer to the quick and varied attacks.

Sydenham’s persistent and cohesive attacks finally paid of! five minutes from fulltime against Old Boys when' the only goal of the match was scored.

Harewood could not reproduce the form of the previous week, which led it to a win against Selwyn, and it lost. 0-1, to University. In the other game Woolston scored two quick second-half goals to beat Linwood.

Woolston and University share an unusual distinction that both are unbeaten in the second round.

Results and scorers were:—

Selwvn-Hillmorton 3 (R. Scboeman 2, M. Burtt), Redcllffs 0. University 1 (M. Slark), Harewood 0.

Sydenham-Cashmere 1 (P Gardiner), High School Old Boys 0. Woolston 2 (G. Rhodes 2), Linwood United 0.

The points table is:—

P W L D F A Pt Selwvn 13 10 2 1 34 9 22 University 13 7 3 3 21 8 17 H. 5.0.8. ' 14 8 1 5 20 13 17 Sydenham 13 6 4 3 20 12 16 Harewood 14 7 2 5 25 20 16 Woolston 14 6 4 4 17 14 16 Linwood 13 2 0 11 13 39 4 Pegasus 13, 0 1 12 5 40 1

SELWYN COASTS Selwyn would have scored considerably more than three goals but for some unyielding defence by the Redcllffs goal-keeper, Keith Barr, and Chris Prutton and Peter Christensen in its defence.

Numerous Selwyn attacks in the second half were repelled by safe trapping and tackling, often in the circle, when Selwyn forwards were about to shoot.

Seiwyn’s first goal was scored from a rebound bv

Mark Burtt and two good field goals from Richard Schoeman followed soon after. This pair, with George Carnoutsos, were outstanding for Selwyn.

In the secondhalf Selwyn was given tremendous freedom in mid-field to establish attacks. Redcliffs lost one of its players mid-way through the spell which did not help, but still the marking was loose.

Robin Wilson, the Selwyn centre-half, often received the ball with no opponent within metres. It was then a simple matter to set up an attack.

Richard and Lee Munt were the most penetrating Redcliffs forwards. Murray Johnston was hampered by a pulled muscle, while the

right flank were closely marked. LATE GOAL But for two magnificent saves by High School Old Boys goal-keeper, Dave Stuthridge, Sydenham would have been ahead earlier than the sixty-fifth minute. In the first minute of play Stuthridge made a superb reflex save, and later, only minutes before Paul Gardner scored from a rebound from Stuthridge. the goal-keeper made another splendid save from a Gardner shot. There was little between the two teams. Sydenham attacked mainly through its inside-right, Steve Ambler, whose swift dribbling was a problem for the Old Boys defence. Had it not been for

typically sound games by

Rob Smith and Paul Kitarti

in the Olds Boys defence the goal might have been reached sooner. Kerry Thomas, playing a solo role as the Old Boys centre-forward, made some dangerous attacks, and Geoff Deakins and Phil Crisp combined effectively at times on the Old Boys right flank. Old Boys had several pen-alty-corner chances but Marty Fitzsimons was able to handle any of the shots fired at him.’He made two smart saves mid-way through the secondhalf. Richard Spiers was an energetic centre-half for Syden-

ham. He gave good support to his forwards and was always noticeable in deep defence. Ross Ambler and Bryan Ayson were also valuable under pressure. HAREWOOD FALTERS

Harewood lost the sparkle that marked its game the previous week when it beat the competition leader, Selwyn. On Saturday against University its forwards forgot about passing and reverted to over-dribbling. University by comparison was far more constructive, passing at every opportunity. Harewood did do a considerable amount of attacking and forced 13 penalty-cor-ners to two by University. Unfortunately Harewood could not convert any of its chances. University used both its penaltycorners. From one Matt Slark slipped a rebound from the goal-keepers pads into the goal, and from the other it was given a penaltystroke. Unfortunately, Ross Fowler hit the post with his push. lan Hill played a determined game for Harewood at centre-forward, hunting the ball tirelessly, and lan Riach made some impressive runs down the leftwing. lan Steel was a steadying influence in the Harewood defence. All the University forwards laboured well in difficult conditions while John Wood. Greg Pierce, and Fowler were safe defenders and quick to clear the ball from the circle area.