Early test for Chch United

Press, 5 March 1987, Page 42

Early test for Chch United

By

GARY BIRKETT

Christchurch United gets a chance to test itself against national soccer league opposition when it travels north to play Nelson United .on Sunday in a match to mark the provisional opening of Nelson’s new clubrooms at Guppy Park.

While United has performed well in the Liquoriand pre-season tournament the coach, lan Marshall, is anxious for his players to test themselves against a higher calibre team.

“It’s hard to get a line on players against regional league teams. I mean no disrespect to those teams but we certainly need the tougher competition. At the moment players can get away with mistakes that would be punished at national league level.”

Nelson has lost a number of players, including Simon Dwyer, Colin Tuaa, Stu Dunbar and Craig Simpson, but it is always hard to beat at Guppy Park. The Nelson coach, Barry Simmonds, has signed a striker, Gary, Flemington, who hit 26 goals in 36 games in the Isthminan League last season, and a Canadian, Larry Dill, whose last club was Sydney City.

Also on Nelson’s books are the former Christchurch players, Craig Meaclem and Mike Sayers, both New Zealand youth internationals.

Nelson has retained the services of the All White, -Paul Brydon, and the experienced trio of Peter Simonsen, John Slotemaker and the goalkeeper, John Brydon. United will also play Dunedin City at English Park the following Saturday so should be well prepared when the national league kicks off on March 22.

United’s draw is: March 22 v. Wellingtoii (home); March 29 v. Dunedin (away); April 5 v. Mt Wellington (a); April 12 v. Papatoetoe (h);" April 19 v. Mt Maunganui (a); April 26 v. Napier (h); May 3 v. Hutt Valley (a); May 10 v. Miramar (h); May 17 v. North Shore (a); May 24 v. Manurewa (h); June 7 v. Gisborne (a); June 14 v. Manawatu (h); June 21 v. Nelson (a); June 28 v. Wellington (a); July s’v. Dunedin (h); July 12 v. Mt Wellington (h); July 19 v. Papatoetoe (a); July 26 v. Mt Maunganui (h); August 2 v. Napier (a); August 9 v Hutt Valley (h); August 16 v. Miramar (a); August 23 v. North Shore (h); August 30 v. Manurewa (a); September 6 v. Gisborne (h); September 13 v. Manawatu (a); September 20 v. Nelson <h).