United eliminated

Press, 19 August 1985, Page 40

United eliminated

Christchurch Brother United’s 1985 soccer season effectively ended yesterday when it was eliminated from the Le Coq Sportif Chatham Cup by Napier City Rovers, in Napier. A goal midway through the first half by the 17-year-old Napier midfielder, Stephen O’Donoghue, was enough to give his team a 10 victory, and advance into the final on September 7 against the Rothmans League leader, HanimexNorth Shore. United had several acceptable scoring opportunities in the second half, but, as has often been the case this winter, they were not taken. United had two strong appeals for penalties late in the second half rejected by the referee, Ken Wallace. Shane Clapperton, the Napier defender, blocked successive shots by George Caird and Paul Hillis with an arm, but both claims for

penalties were disallowed. The United coach, Mr Laurie Blyth, refused to use those as an excuse for the defeat. Rather, he pointed to the chances his team did not take. Two shots were headed off the Napier line, Marcel Verweij and John Hanson both squandered excellent openings as Napier, after matching United before half-time, defended grimly for most of the second half. Mr Blyth was critical of Napier’s approach in the second half. “They gave up the ghost; they didn’t compete at all, but we just didn’t take our chances,” he said. He singled out the central defender, Ceri Evans, as the outstanding United player, for snuffing out the threat of the key Napier striker, Greg Brown. North Shore scored three times before half-time to

make certain of reaching the cup final. Peter Henry got the first two, and Barry Weymouth ended Wellington’s ambitions with the third goal in injury time in the first half. National Mutual Miramar moved clear of the possibility of relegation with its 2-1 win over Landbase Papatoetoe in the only national league match played yesterday. Results.— Chatham Cup, semi-finals: Hanimex-North Shore 3 (Peter Henry 2, Barry Weymouth), DB Wellington 1 (Bruce McLachlan). Half-time 3-0. Napier City Rovers 1 (Stephen O’Donoghue), Christchurch Brother United 0. Halftime 1-0. Rothmans League: National Mutual Miramar 2 (Phil Alexander, Stuart Jacobs), Landbase Papatoetoe 1 (own goal). Half-time 1-1.