Vital points picked up by United

Press, 5 August 1985, Page 44

Vital points picked up by United

Christchurch Brother United and University Cowan gathered vital points at the bottom of the Rothmans Soccer League, while McKee Nelson United’s slim hopes of claiming the title ended in tatters yesterday. Nelson had three players sent off in the second half of its match against D.B. Wellington, equalling the record number of dismissals in a national league game. Three Columbus Waterside players had an early bath against Hamilton seven years ago. The Christchurch referee, Mr Arthur Edwards, ordered off the Nelson goalkeeper, John Brydon, for kicking a Wellington player; John Slotemaker for foul and abusive language; and the captain, Bill Amey, for a bad tackle.

Nelson played the last 20 minutes with eight players. All four goals in Wellington’s win came in the second half, and leaves it two points adrift of the leader, Hanimex-North Shore.

A goal by the United striker, David Jackson, in the last minute saved his team’s bacon against 4XO Dunedin City in Dunedin. The goal came from a Steve Wooddin corner on the right.

Andy Deeley put Dunedin ahead in the first half of an entertaining match, which contained a decent share of scoring opportunities. John Hanson had an impressive match in attack for United, getting through a lot of work and putting plenty of pressure on the Dunedin defence.

A late penalty by the University captain and goalkeeper, Frank van Hattum, sent the bottom team, Napier City Rovers, home pointless.

The defeat probably leaves Napier with a task beyond its capabilities to avoid contesting the relegation series.

North Shore thrashed Southmall Manurewa, 6-1, Kevin Hagan’s brace of goals giving him five in the last three matches. N.Z. Permanent Gisborne stayed in touch with a 2-1 home win over Masport Mount Wellington. Gisborne’s visit to North Shore next week-end could decide whether or not the league trophy will sit on the North Shore mantelpiece over the summer. National Mutual Miramar’s home game with Landbase Papatotoe was postponed. Results:

McKee Nelson United 0, D.B. Wellington 4 (Jeff Strom, Brent O’Neill, Neal Cave, Bill Harris). Half-time 0-0. N.Z. Permanent Gisborne 2 (Sean Bryen, Declan Edge), Masport Mount Wellington 1 (Martin Jennison). Half-time 10.

University Cowan 2 (Dale Webster, Frank van Hattum penalty), Napier City Rovers 1 (Phil Jackson penalty). Halftime 1-0. Southmall Manurewa 1 (Mark Armstrong), HanimexNorth Shore 6 (Kevin Hagan 2, Barry Weymouth 2, Brian McKeown, Paul Loader). Halftime 0-3.

4XO Dunedin City 1 (Andy Deeley), Christchurch Brother United 1 (David Jackson). Halftime 1-0.

ROTHMANS LEAGUE P W D L F A Pt Nth Shore 18 11 3 4 45 26 36 Well. 19 10 4 5 46 31 34 Gisborne 19 10 4 5 38 24 34 Nelson 19 9 2 8 30 37 29 Mt Wgtn 19 7 6 7 31 25 27 Dun. City 19 7 5 7 31 31 26 Papatoe. 18 8 1 9 32 30 25 Univ. 18 7 2 9 25 38 23 Miramar 17 5 6 6 25 25 21 Chch Utd 19 6 3 10 18 25 21 Manurewa 19 5 6 8 26 43 21 Napier 18 3 4 11 27 39 13