A record that never was

Press, 21 May 1988, Page 88

A record that never was

By

GARY BIRKETT

Confusion over the record for a team going unbeaten in the Air New Zealand soccer league does not bother the Christchurch coach, lan Marshall, who this week has seen a “record” taken from his side.

Information supplied to the . media at the start of the season that the unbeaten record was held by Mount Wellington with 17 games has proved incorrect.

Mount Wellington set that record in 1982 and went on to go undefeated in its first three games of 1983. When Christchurch downed Napier 5-1 it was reported that it had the record of 18 games but now the side has to win or draw its next two games against Miramar and Manawatu United to claim the record of 21 games without defeat.

Mr Marshall said he did not give a hoot about setting records. “We are not too worried about it. We would prefer to win the league and the Chatham Cup rather than set records.” Christchurch should equal the record when it takes on Miramar at Queen Elizabeth II Park tomorrow. Miramar has made a sound start to lie in fifth place after seven rounds, with three wins, two draws and two losses including two wins and a draw in away games. Christchurch will be without Allan Carville, who has knee problems, and he will probably be replaced by Johan Verweij, provided the tall striker passes a fitness test today. . Christchurch, which is in second equal place four points behind Mount Wellington, is unbeaten in three home games this season and Mr Marshall is unconcerned that the Mount is going to clear out on the rest of the league.

“There is a long way to go yet with 19 games remaining and I am quite happy with our start. I think we can play better and improve but after all we are unbeaten after seven games. The team is doing very well and it is important for South Island soccer that we continue that,” he said.

Mr Marshall, an ardent South Islander, said Auckland’s failure to give Canterbury a challenge in the new Winfield inter-provin-cial series was a classic example of Auckland soccer people being too parochial. “It is very poor. After everything that Christchurch did last year we deserve a challenge and Auckland promised us one after we played them last year.

“They don’t seem to be looking after the best interests of the game and I have to say they appear to be running for cover.” Other eighth round games are.— Manawatu v. Waikato; Hutt Valley v. Papatoetoe; Wellington v. North Shore; Gisborne v. Nelson; Mount Wellington v. Napier; Manurewa v. Mount Maunganui.

In the feature game of the southern league today the leader, Christchurch, takes on the fast improving Burndale United at English Park. Only five points separate the top six teams after six rounds so Burndale, which is in fifth place, will be extra keen for a victory to stay in touch with the pace.

In the early match at the same venue Rangers, which has suffered five straight losses to be languishing in ninth place, meets Western, which is in fourth place. In other games Technical hosts Caversham at Ensors Road, Mosgiel entertains Dunedin City and Oamaru meets South Canterbury.,