United, Diamond draw in soccer

Press, 19 April 1982, Page 3

United, Diamond draw in soccer

Special correspondent Christchurch Mogal United more than deserved its 1-1 draw with the defending champion. Wellington Diamond United, in Rothmans league soccer at the Basin Reserve. Wellington, yesterday. On the chances that were created, Diamond should have taken both points, but. in the end, it was grateful to achieve a second-half equaliser. The first 45 minutes belonged to Christchurch as it contested the ball more keenly than its opponent and gave away less possession, although without looking likely to cause the Diamond defence many problems. Ceri Evans was steady at the centre of the 'Christchurch defence, with the fullback, Mark McCarrick, having a sound match , defensively, as well as going 1 forward well to have a hand in his team's goal. In the midfield, Keith Braithwaite was a calming influence for United, while up front, Johan Verweij was much more aggressive than he had been before going to play in Australia two seasons ago.

For Diamond. Bob Wilshire. in goal, was again in form, while the fullbacks, Ross Durant and Jeff Strom, both looked strong at going forward. At centre-back. Paul van der Breggan continued his good form, and Malcolm Dunford, playing in front of him, was the pick of the Wellington side’s players. It was in the midfield that Diamond failed to match its opponent, with a lack of experience showing up. The Diamond coach, Barrie Truman, was not too perturbed at dropping d point. He said, “With young players in vital position's, you are bound to get results like this.-si feel we are making progress, though we seem to slip back occasionally." The Christchurch coach. Terry Conley, said that his side had come to Wellington to get a point and had achieved its objective. Diamond came off best in the opening exchanges without getting the breakthrough it wanted. Dunford and John Burnett both had efforts well saved by United's goalkeeper. Mike Fulham. United gradually got on

top. and it was no surprise when Verweij opened the scoring in the thirty-second minute. Paul Wilkinson sent McCarrick away on the left flank, and the fullback, after appearing to run the ball too far, pulled a cross back from the bye line for Verweij to beat Wilshire, with no challenge on him from the W.D.U. defence. Two chances fell’ to Diamond just before the interval but United survived them both. Gary Welch blazed a Strom pass high and wide and right on the break, van der Breggan nearly sneaked a header in at the'near post from a Welch corner. Diamond was much more positive after the interval and equalised 19min into the half. Strom swung a right-wing, corner to the near post qnd; van der Breggan steered It ■' into the net in spite of the close attention of Verweij, Alan South, and the goalkeeper, Fulham. Twelve minutes from the end, Verweij got in a good cross, which the substitute, Brent Berry, headed goalward only to see Wilshire achieve a fine save.