Rangers close to title

Press, 8 August 1983, Page 22

Rangers close to title

After their 5-1 thrashing of Baisweil United on Saturday, Rangers need only to win their final Hertz Soccer League match next week-end to be sure of winning the competition’s northern zone title. If Rangers beat Shamrock, their closest pursuer for much of the season, they cannot be pipped. On Saturday, things looked black for Rangers as they went behind to a Robin McNulty goal shortly before half-time. However, two goals by Mark Gatenby, and others by Eric Reiser, Scott Dewar and Robbie Campfens made sure of a convincing victory. Gatenby has now scored 11 league goals in his 10 matches for Rangers, one less than the joint leading scorers, Mark Smith of Cashmere-Wanderers and Woolston W.M.C.’s Robbie Larter. Cashmere-Wanderers kept up their hopes of snatching the title with a 1-0 win over New

Brighton at English Park. Both teams had their chances, but Brighton's attack let it down. Robbie Norster missed an excellent first half chance for Brighton, while Smith, Cashmere’s main striking force, had a quiet match, nursing a foot injury. Brighton’s goal-keeper, David van Voorst, did a good job, being quick to leave his line to narrow the shooting angle more than once. However, he was unable to keep out Angus Neave’s firm, low shot 13 minutes after halftime, following a break down the right by Paul Jarman. Shamrock remained in third spot with a 1-0 win over Western. Mike Howard scored the decisive goal with a header shortly before the end of a match which never reached great heights. Nomads United picked up its second win of the competition when it beat Christchurch United’s reserves, 1-0. Tim Pearson scored Nomads’ goal, in a match which it generally dominated.

A strong second half recovery enabled Woolston to beat South Canterbury United, 3-1, in Timaru. Gary Binnie’s first half penalty left Woolston trailing at the interval, and had Bevan Griffith’s shot gone in instead of hitting an upright, Woolston’s task might have been too great.

However, Mike Millward scored twice and Graham Dacombe once to give Woolston its ninth league win of the season.

win over Riccarton. Hangers beat Technical, 3-2; Bumdale United beat New Brighton, 3-1; High School Old Boys beat Western, 2-1; while Rangiora and St AlbansShirley drew, 2-2.

HERTZ LEAGUE P W D L F A Pt Rangers 17 12 2 3 37 14 38 Cashmere 16 9 4 3 27 14 34 Shamrock 17 10 3 4 30 18 33 Woolston 15 9 3 3 27 8 30 Chch Utd 16 7 4 5 24 18 22 Brighton 16 6 2 8 15 19 20 Western 16 6 2 8 14 22 20 Sth Canty 17 3 5 9 16 28 14 Nomads 16 2 6 8 7 19 12 Halswell 16 1 1 14 9 39 4 Shamrock moved to the top of the premier division with a big 5-0

PREMIER DIVISION P W D L F A Pt Shamrock 16 10 3 3 35 19 23 Rangers 15 10 3 2 28 15 23 Bumdale 16 10 3 3 28 15 23 Technical 15 9 4 2 38 16 22 Rangiora 15 6 1 8 24 25 13 Riccarton 15 3 5 7 18 21 11 Brighton 15 3 5 8 24 35 11 H.S.O.B. 16 5 1 10 19 34 11 Western 16 4 3 9 15 35 11 S.A.S. 16 2 4 10 18 32 8