Good news for Chch United on two fronts

Press, 9 July 1983, Page 60

Good news for Chch United on two fronts

There was good news on two counts for Christchurch Mogal United yesterday as it prepares for its Rothmans soccer league match against Papatoetoe at Queen Elizabeth II Park tomorrow. The first is that it is almost sure of fielding its best line-up for the match. Illness, not injury, is the only possible barrier with Graeme Archer having a heavy dose of the flu. However, United’s acting manager, Mr Terry Mann, is hopeful that the blond midfielder, who has performed consistently well this winter, will be fit.

United’s reserve strength is depleted due to illness, so it will be hoping injury does not force changes during the match. When United met Papatoetoe on April 23 in Auckland, it had two players sent off, but still shared the points in a 1-1 draw.

Having beaten Dunedin Technical more convincingly than the 3-2 scoreline would indicate last weekend in the Adidas Chatham Cup, will have helped United get back into a winning frame of mind after its disastrous loss to Manurewa a fortnight ago. However, to take three points against Papatoetoe,

United will have to beat the former international goalkeeper, Kevin Curtin, and will be required to nullify the attacking skills of Brian Turner, New Zealand’s most capped player, and lance Cadogan, the striker who is responsible for one third of Paptoetoe’s 15 league goals this season.

The second piece of good news for United is that Gisborne City is still keen to sign Grant Turner from it, despite Turner’s unavailability through suspension for the Cup quarter-final between the two clubs in a fortnight. Turner, who walked out on United after being sent off for the second time this season, has been banned for three playing days by the Canterbury Football Association. However, Gisborne City’s chairman, Mr Terry Martin, said that the two clubs are close to a settlement over the financial terms of Turner’s transfer.

The suspension was approximately what Gisborne City expected Turner to receive, and Mr Martin anticipates no problems when discussions resume once United’s manager, Mr Terry Conley, returns from Australia.