Big soccer gate likely

Press, 5 October 1984, Page 36

Big soccer gate likely

Christchurch Brother United can expect its biggest home gate of the season when it meets the Rothmans Soccer League champion, Gisborne City, at English Park this evening. United, unable to keep pace with the remarkably consistent Gisborne over the second half of the competition, is left with the incentive of second place to play for in its remaining two matches.

Keith Braithwaite, the outstanding Canterbury player this winter, looks set to return to the team after a lengthy absence through injury. The only player who took part in last Sunday’s heartening 4-1 win over Hanimex-North Shore in doubt is Marcel Verweij, who scored one of those goals. He has a hamstring injury. Paul Hillis, the regular right back, is clear to play,

although he has exceeded 20 penalty points, at which stage a suspension is usually imposed. However, the Canterbury Football Association’s judicial committee did not meet this week, and Hillis is likely to escape punishment until the start of next season.

For the Gisborne players, who have the league title and the Air New Zealand Cup already won, there will be the temptation to look ahead to next week-end’s Le Coq Sportif Chatham Cup final, and the prospect of a unique treble.

However, their hardheaded coach, Kevin Falloon, is sure to stress to his players just where their thoughts should be this evening.

In another national league match this evening, Dunedin City will play the bottomplaced University Cowan.