Canty dumps Otago to win title

Press, 14 September 1988, Page 47

Canty dumps Otago to win title

The Canterbury under-19 soccer team won the South Island tournament at Timaru during the week-end, beating Otago, 3-0, in the final. Goals by Sasha Radujko (two) and Andrew Doherty sparked Canterbury to its win over Otago. Earlier it had downed Southland, 4-1, MidCanterbury, 4-0, and Nelson, 4-0. A South Island team was named after the tournament for a planned match against the Junior All Whites in Christchurch in November. The team is:— Gary McCosh, Andrew Granger, Andrew Doherty, Brent Patrick, Julian Bowden, Sasha Radujko, Vaughan Conley (all Canterbury): Robert

Goad, Paul Brown, Wade Jennings, Matthew Haulthan (Nelson); Simon Waring (Otago), Andrew Taylor, David Collins (Marlborough). Meanwhile, the secretary bf the Southern Regional Council, Colin Houston, has given notice of his intention to resign in protest at a controversial move to assist the smaller soccer centres in the South Island. Mr Houston, who is also the chairman of the Canterbury Football Association, was the only representative to vote against a resolution to increase the southern league first division to 12 teams for 1990 and beyond, and to grant automatic inclusion for minor association composite

teams that apply for places in the league. Mr Houston tendered his resignation at the council’s meeting in Timaru on Sunday. He said it is effective from the council’s annual meeting in January. The new plan virtually guarantees places for South Canterbury and Southland irrespective of where they finish in their qualifying leagues next season. It could mean that a Christchurch or Dunedin team could be relegated instead of Oamaru if it finishes last in the 1989 competition. Mr Houston feels that pro-motion-relegation should be based on merit.