Miramar takes soccer lead

Press, 21 April 1986, Page 3

Miramar takes soccer lead

National Mutual Miramar established a two-point break at the top of the Rothmans Soccer League table with a convincing fourth-round win in Nelson yesterday. Two goals by the outstanding striker, Greg Brown, paved the way for Miramar’s 3-0 win over McKee Nelson United. The other Wellington side, and defending champion, DB Wellington, had to come from behind to share the points in Gisborne. Both goals came from the penalty spot. Majic Carpet Manurewa made two places up the ladder with a surprise win against Masport Mount Wellington, while Hani-mex-North Shore, after trailing early in the match, sneaked home, 2-1, in Dunedin. The national under-19 representative, Darren McClennan, scored his third goal in this, his first national league season. Landbase Papatoetoe got its first point of the season at Palmerston North, thanks to a Bill McClure penalty. Another penalty, by Christchurch Brother United’s captain, Keith Braithwaite, was not enough to save it from a 2-1 defeat against University Cowan in Auckland.

University ‘went ahead in freakish circumstances. The ball was driven hard towards the United goal from just ihdde the half. It deflected iff a player, balooned higi in the air, over the United goal-' keeper, Alan Stroud, and into the goal This came.after United had twice hifthe post and once been. 1 lenied by a brilliant save from the University . goal-keeper, Frank van Hattum, blocking a strong header by Johan Verweij. University'increased its lead midway through the second half in a rare break from its own half when Stroud failed to hold a free kict and Nigel Somerville scored from the rebound Keith Braithwaite’s late penalty was small consolation for United’s coach, Mr lan Marshall. “I’ve nerer seen a United team: play so well, and lose,”: he said. Mr Marshall siigled out the midfielder, Chris Riley, as the pick of the United' side for “i magnificent performance.” The penalty had a controversial element to. it. spot kick was saved by van Hattum, but the referee, Roger Woolmer, blew his whistle

to order it retaken. Braithwaite banged the rebound from van Hattum into the goal and Mr Woolmer let the goal stand, without the kick being taken a second time. McKee Nelson United 0, National Mutual Mirimar 3 (Greg Brown two, Andy van den Ende). Half-time 0-1. Child Freighters United 1 (Reg Robinson), Landbase Papatoetoe 1 (Bill McClure penalty). Half-time 1-1. Majic Carpet Manurewa 1 (Willie Sellar), Masport Mount Wellington 0. Halftime 1-0. DB Wellington 1 (Malcolm Dunford penalty), N.Z. Permanent Gisborne 1 (Andy Deeley penalty). Half-time 01. Wickliffe Press Dunedin City 1 (Peter Verwey), Hani-mex-North Shore 2 (Justin Worsley, Darren McClennan). Half-time 1-0. University Cowan 2 (Warwick McCarthy, Nigel Somerville), Christchurch Brother United 1 (Keith Braithwaite penalty). Half-time 1-0. ROTHMANS LEAGUE

P W D L F A Pt Miramar 4 3 1 0 9 3 10 Well. 4 2 2 0 7 4 8 Manure wa 4 2 2 0 7 4 8 Mt Wgtn 4 2 1 1 5 3 7 Nth Shore 4 2 1 1 6 7 7 Chch Utd 4 2 0 2 9 7 6 Univ. 4 1 3 0 6 5 7 Gisborne 4 1 2 1 8 9 5 C.F.U. 4 1 1 2 5 5 4 Dun. City 4 0 1 3 6 9 1 Nelson 4 0 1 3 4 10 I Papatoe. 4 0 1 3 3 9 1