United seeking elusive win

Press, 23 June 1984, Page 76

United seeking elusive win

By

DAVID LEGGAT

Christchurch Brother United will be seeking its first win in three Rothmans Soccer League trips to Napier tomorrow when it meets Napier City Rovers. When Napier entered the league in 1982, United managed a scoreless draw but last winter went down, 4-1, on its trip north. However, those results have been balanced by home wins in both seasons.

The team United fields tomorrow will be affected by both injuries and defection. Bobby Almond has not returned to full fitness from the knee injury suffered against Hanimex-North Shore at the start of themonth, and Steve Wooddin’s shoulder injury, suffered last week-end against Mount Wellington, has not healed sufficiently for him to play. Allan Boath will be turning out for his new club, University Cowan. Those losses are offset by the arrival of a striker, Robbie Hill, from England. He will play for the club’s reserve team today and, based on that performance, the United coach, Laurie Blyth, will decide whether to include him in the squad for Napier. Almond’s loss has been covered satisfactorily by Ceri Evans, playing behind Alan South. Boath’s departure could open the way for Johann Verweij to force his way back into the midfield, playing in a similar role, wide on the flank, as that filled by Boath. Mr Blyth is aware that his team is up against one of the most physical sides in the national competition. He is equally aware that a greater physical commitment is needed from his team if it is to match the

forceful pressure Napier’s tough midfield and defence is sure to place upon it. Another matter for Mr Blyth to resolve is the captaincy. Boath had been in charge, and Mr Blyth has yet to decide on his replacement. The most obvious is the man who led the team last year, Paul Hillis, although Almond, when he recovers his fitness, might be an alternative. Much interest will centre on the first appearance for University Cowan of the former England international, Trevor Brooking, who will play against Manurewa.

The veteran midfielder, who retired at the end of the last English season, still remains one of the country’s outstanding creative forces. He will be playing for University until mid-August. The other national league matches tomorrow are Dunedin City v. McKee Nelson United, Gisborne City v. Papatoetoe, North Shore v. Mount Wellington, National Mutual Miramar v. Wellington Diamond United, and University v. Manurewa. The position at the top of the Hertz League table could well be partly resolved with the two leading teams, Nomads United and Cashmere-Wanderers, meeting at English Park today.

In what has become a desperately close battle for the two play-off places, a win to either team could spell trouble for the other. Rangers, the only other team with realistic chances of making the top two, will meet Woolston W.M.C.; Shamrock will play South Canterbury United; New Brighton will face Burndale United; and Christchuch United’s reserves will meet Western.