United in good heart for testing soccer campaign

Press, 4 May 1984, Page 16

United in good heart for testing soccer campaign

By

DAVID LEGGAT

In spite of a hiccup at the end of the Air New Zealand Cup competition, Christchurch Brother United’s coach, Laurie Blyth, pro-

nounced himself “reasonably happy” with the way his team is shaping up for its Rothmans Soccer League campaign, which begins on Sunday. United was in with an excellent chance of a place in the pre-season tournament final after winning its three home games. But on the last week-end, when it had a double-header in Nelson and Wellington as its final hurdle, the team stumbled, then fell, with the finishing line beckoning. A 4-1 loss against McKee Nelson United meant United had to beat Wellington Diamond United to advance. A half-time lead left United 45

minutes away from the final. But a tactical alteration, for which Mr Blyth accepts responsibility, combined with a substitution by the W.D.U. coach, Barrie Truman, which proved crucial, meant United conceded two goals, scored none, and enabled Nelson to sneak through. The pre-season exercise has left Mr Blyth with a good indication of the capabilities of his team, but he is in no doubt as to what he must work on if it is to become a realistic claimant for the national league title. “Some of our communication is poor,” he said. “We are losing the total grasp of things through players not talking to each other.” This, he said, must be instilled in some of the less experienced players in the team, who are reluctant to voice their thoughts on the park. There are, however, other encouraging signs for Mr Blyth. Stuart Chalmers was singled out for praise for his development as a central midfielder. His tussle with Graham Archer to get Mr Blyth’s nod should be close. The attitude of the team is “reasonably good,” added Mr Blyth. There are changes to the squad for the opening national league match, away to Wellington Diamond United on Sunday. The New Zealand representatives, Allan Boath and Ceri Evans, are fit to return to the team, but Kees Doornenbal, the veteran of the side, has withdrawn for personal reasons for the next

two weeks. Doornenbal has been playing his best soccer in a long time during the last few weeks and his absence is unfortunate. The pre-season competition should undoubtedly have benefited the national league teams. Instead of the early-season games against regional league opposition, each team has had several hard workouts. Of the heavyweight contenders for the title, Manurewa, the defending champion, can expect a battle with the physicallyintimidating Napier City Rovers side. Gisborne City, another team which never shirks a battle, travels north to face Hanimex-North Shore, aware that it, too, will begin

the competition at short odds to win its first league title. Dunedin City will host National Mutual Miramar, which, on pre-season form, will be struggling to avoid the unwanted bottom spot. Mount Wellington will play Nelson United. The Mount, five times the league champions, has been unimpressive in its early-season form, while Nelson will be aiming to build on its solid start. Papatoetoe will meet the newcomer, University Cowan, which will have the internationals, Ricki Herbert and Glenn Adam, as its central defensive pairing, and will be coached by the former New Zealand — and Fijian — coach, Wally Hughes.