Chch after soccer double

Press, 12 September 1987, Page 92

Chch after soccer double

By

GARY BIRKETT

The Christchurch national league soccer team will return home with both the league championship and the Challenge Trophy should it beat lowly Manawatu United in its penultimate league game in Palmerston North tomorrow. Christchurch will seal up the league title by drawing with Manawatu but the coach, lan Marshall, wants a win so it can lift the Challenge Trophy and the $lOOO cheque which goes with it.

If Christchurch does take the new Ranfurly Shield style trophy it will defend it against Nelson United next week-end and could pick up another $lOOO.

“Even if the trophy was not at stake we would not go looking for a draw to tie up the league. You often come out with nothing if you go into the game with that attitude,”

said Mr Marshall, who must be strongly favoured to win the “Coach of the Year” award after Christchurch’s brilliant season.

Christchurch is in line for a unique treble after also qualifying for the Chatham Cup final and in its current form should win comfortably tomorrow.

Manawatu had a dismal record at home this season. Its only win was against Hutt Valley in the fourth round in April but it has recorded some useful results away from home.

It upset Wellington’s title hopes with a 1-0 win last week-end and in recent weeks has held both Gisborne and North Shore to draws. Its attacking strength will also be

boosted by the signing of the former Massey striker, Paul Thompson, who scored twice against Christchurch in their Chatham Cup quarterfinal at English park. Mr Marshall reported no injuries in the Christchurch camp and is expected to ( field the same team which beat Gisborne, 3-1, last week-end.

The Christchurch reserve team could make it a red letter week-end for the club if it successfully defends its 1-0 lead over Dunedin City in the second leg of. the Hertz Cup final in . Dunedin today.

Christchurch was a little fortunate to establish a one goal advantage in the first leg but is now in the box seat to deny Dunedin City the league and cup double. The coach, Martin Stewart, has promised that his side will not attempt to sit on its one

goal advantage. As away goals count double, everything is in Christchurch’s favour and it will be strengthened further by the return of the experienced midfielder, Graeme* Archer.

He will replace Grant Hughes, who is nursing a leg injury. Mr Stewart is also likely to rest Peter Bennie, who suffered an ankle injury last week-end and was forced to limp out of Thursday’s training session. Bennie will probably be replaced by lan Chamberlain. Christchurch will also be without regular substitute Sasha Radjuko, who will play for the Canterbury under 18 team in the Southern Regional Youth Tournament in Timaru this week-end. Canterbury’s section games are against West Coast, Southland and South Canterbury and it is heavily favoured to qualify for the final tomorrow afternoon, 1

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