Nelson Utd tops soccer league for 2 1/2 hours

Press, 24 June 1985, Page 3

Nelson Utd tops soccer league for 2 1/2 hours

McKee Nelson United sat on top of the Rothmans Soccer League for 2% hours yesterday afternoon before being pushed down into second place by the previous leader, Hanimex-North Shore. Nelson’s elevation came through an early kick-off in Gisborne, which resulted in an excellent 1-0 win over the defending league cham&ion, NZ Permanent Gisorne. The defeat was the fourth in succession for Gisborne, and was brought about 11 minutes from the end by the swift Nelson striker, Simon Dwyer.

More than 40 free-kicks were awarded by the referee, Ken Wallace, who also booked four Nelson players. North Shore went back to the top when it beat Christchurch Brother United 2-0, in Auckland. Two goals before half-time by Keith Hobbs and Allan Boath, combined with two openings wasted at the other end by David Jackson and John

Hanson were crucial to the final outcome.

Hobbs’ goal came from a Peter Henry corner, while Boath scored from a Barry Weymouth cross, after the United goal-keeper, Steve Baker, was caught out of position near the corner flag trying to clear a long ball.

Four United players were booked by the referee, Alan Boniface, George Caird, Russell Cotton, Graeme Archer — who won his team’s man of the match award — and Ceri Evans, adding to a miserable afternoon.

DB Wellington moved into third place on the points table with a marvellous 6-0 win over Southmall Manurewa in Auckland, Bill Harris getting a further two goals to lift his tally this season to nine; while 4XO Dunedin City scored five times in the first half to crush University Cowan in Dunedin.

Nigel Somerville, of University, was sent off mid-

way through the second half after receiving a second caution. When the Auckland club won a penalty two minutes from the end, it was taken, successfully, by the goal-keeper, Frank van Hattum.

The visit of Napier City Rovers to Wellington to face its rival for the relegation place, National Mutual Miramar, was postponed due to bad weather. Results:

Southmall Manurewa 0, DB Wellington 6 (Bill Harris 2, John Denham, Neal Cave, John Barry, Jeff Strom penalty). Half-time 0-2. NZ Permanent Gisborne 0, McKee Nelson United 1 (Simon Dwyer). Half-time 0-0. Hanimex-North Shore 2 (Keith Hobbs, Allan Boath), Christchurch Brother United 0. Half-time 2-0.

Masport Mount Wellington 2 (Fred de Jong, Brian Turner), Landbase Papatoetoe 1 (Ray Redshaw).

4XO Dunedin City 5 (Peter Verwey 2, Barry White, Graeme Marshall, Stu Dunbar), University Cowan 1 (Frank van Hattum, penalty). Halftime 5-0.

ROTHMANS LEAGUE P W D L F A Pt Nth Shore 14 9 2 3 33 19 29 Nelson 15 9 1 5 28 27 28 Well. 15 8 3 4 36 25 27 Gisborne 14 7 3 4 29 16 24 Mt Wgtn 15 5 6 4 21 16 21 Dun. City 15 6 3 6 25 23 21 Chch Utd 15 6 2 7 16 17 20 ; Papatoe. 15 6 1 8 25 26 19 Manure. 14 4 5 5 18 28 17 Univ. 14 5 2 7 19 32 17 Miramar 14 3 5 6 17 22 14 Napier 14 1 3 10 16 32 6