Spectacular late goal gives United soccer win

Press, 4 June 1984, Page 17

Spectacular late goal gives United soccer win

By

DAVID LEGGAT

Christchurch Brother United, after threatening to deliver the goods for most of the game, waited until four minutes from the end to score the decisive goal in its Rothmans Soccer League match against HanimexNorth Shore on Saturday. However, when the goal came, it was worth waiting for and justifiably brought a hearty response from the small crowd at Queen Elizabeth II Park. Stuart Chalmers took a long throw on the right. The ball flicked off a head into the path of Keith Braithwaite by the near post, and the hard-working midfielder’s spectacular overhead kick whipped the ball

through the hands of the North Shore goal-keeper, Alan Gilgrist, for the only goal of the game. This was a match United should have won with room to spare. It had 13 good scoring chances while North Shore, which had scored 10 times in its previous four league games, managed to scratch together a mere three in the 90 minutes. Interestingly, those three chances came at important stages in the match and United’s goal-keeper, Steve Baker, did well to keep his concentration as he had little else to do. Steve Wilkins showed he had a skilful left foot when his deep cross in the sixth minute was perfectly weighted for North Shore’s other import, the Scottish striker, John McGinlay. However, McGinlay’s volley was soft and straight at Baker.

A goal that early might have altered the pattern of the match. Baker then held a firm Wilkins drive 20 minutes into the second half, at a stage when United might have been wondering if luck was against it. Had Wilkins scored, those thoughts would have been confirmed. Then, crucially, right at the end, McGinlay did exceedingly well to get his foot onto the end of a shot by James Varney which was going wide. Baker was quick-witted enough to block McGinlay’s volley, which could so easily have surprised him. Those apart, North Shore spent most of the match performing essentially defensive duties, and too often was guilty of wasting possession. United, with Braithwaite and Allan Boath getting well forward into effective positions, played

some scintillating soccer at times.

However, it was a combiation of some efficient galkeeping by Gilgrist alliedto wasteful final passing with hindered United. Brent Berry, Andy Harrisn, who had a particularly impissive game in attack, Eaithwaite and Boath will ill look back on the match as oe of lost opportunities. E?n Kees Doornenbal, who caae on as a substitute for Bery midway through the secad half, will wonder how his ruling left foot drive from else range was blocked by a efender. Of United's defence, Boby Almond had one of his tst matches this season. Howevr, a groin strain suffered in le second half might force hn out of the heart of the defere for today’s match agaiit Photo Life Manurewa. Ceri Evans was a commad-

ing figure in front of Almond; Marcel Verweij spent the game marking Wilkins and generally doing a solid job; while Paul Hillis had a tough battle with McGinlay. There was almost a tragic finish to the match. Gilgrist was challenged unfairly by Harrison as they leapt for a cross. The goal-keeper fell heavily, and momentarily stopped breathing. He seemed to swallow his tongue but, with the assistance of Evans, a medical student, Gilgrist was revived and recovered to last out the final couple of minutes. Gilgrist was heavily winded and was suffering chest pains after the match. He was taken to hospital for a precautionary check. Two United players were booked by the referee, Neil Burt, Boath for ungentlemanly conduct and Harrison for persistent infringement.