Chch blows its soccer title hopes

Press, 11 September 1989, Page 40

Chch blows its soccer title hopes

Christchurch United’s dream of three successive national soccer league titles all but disappeared yesterday when Hutt Valley beat the defending champion, 1-0, at Te Whiti Park in Lower Hutt.

United is now nine points behind the leader, Mount Maunganui, with six rounds remaining and needs a run of upsets to threaten the leader. In its last 10 games United has managed only 13 points from a possible 30 and the coach, lan Marshall, is almost resigned to giving up the title. “If you want to be champions you have got to do it for yourself — you can’t rely on other teams,” he said. United gets a chance for compensation this Sunday when it meets the northern league side, Rotorua City, in the Chatham Cup final in Welling-' ton. Its injured All Whites, Danny Halligan and Garry Lund, who missed yesterday’s game, are expected to be fit for that important match. A goal by Gary Faulds after 59 minutes gave Hutt Valley a 1-0 win but it was the goal-keeper, Robbie Geerlings, who starred for the home side. Geerlings, playing only his second league game of the season, made some crucial saves and gave Hutt Valley the base for its first win over United. '■ in a flowing, open game, ..both teams had periods of ascendancy but Hutt Valley got breakthrough from a x long throw by Eddie Weijers. The ball was flicked bn by Garrett Martens and Faulds shot home from just inside the penalty area.

Mount Maunganui got back on a winning trail

with a 2-1 win over the bottom placed side, Papa.toetoe, at Mount Maunganui. After two consecutive losses Mount Maunganui got another shock when its Australian import, Robbie Hooker, was sent off after 15 min. when he clashed with the Papatoetoe goal-keeper, Steve Baker. The referee, Roger Woolmer, had a hard time controlling the game, making five bookings as well as the sending off. The Mount did everything but score in the first half but took the lead after 49 min. with a Declan Edge header. Papatoetoe equalised soon after when Alain De Clerq turned well and fired a low shot home. The Mount regained the lead after 72 min. when Brian Roberts scored in a goal mouth scramble. Mr Woolmer turned down a penalty in the dying minutes. He initially awarded a spot kick when De Clerq was fouled but changed his decision because a linesman had sig-

nalled for offside seconds earlier. Colin Tuaa scored two min. into injury time to earn Miramar a 1-1 draw against Waikato United in Wellington. David Laws gave Waikato the lead after 77 min. but Tuaa blasted home in a goalmouth melee after a corner to give Miramar a valuable point as it seeks to avoid relegation.

North Shore came from two goals down to draw, 2-2, with Wellington United at home. Imre Foldi and Dean Behrens gave Wellington a 2-0 lead but goals by Peter Bracken and Cliff Spence (penalty) earned North Shore a valuable point.

In the other game Waitakere and Napier drew, 1-1.

Mount Wellington moved into second place with a 2-1 win over Manurewa on Saturday evening with goals by Noel Barkley and Grant Lightbown, who netted with time almost up. Mount Wellington is now seven points behind Mount Maunganui but has a game in hand. The two sides meet in Mount Maunganui in two weeks time.

P W D L F A Pt Mt Maung. 20 14 4 2 32 12 46 Mt Wgtn 19 12 3 4 47 18 39 Napier 20 11 6 3 37 30 39 Chch 20 11 4 5 40 23 37 Waitakere 20 11 4 5 37 30 37 Hutt V. 20 10 4 6 32 27 34 Wellington 20 10" 2 8 32 27 32 Waikato 19 4 10 5 20 22 22 Manrwa 20 6 4 10 26 31 22 Waterside 18 5 4 9 27 33 19 Miramar 20 3 5 12 25 32 14 Gisborne 19 3 5 11 19 51 14 N. Shore 20 3 4 13 27 45 13 Paptoe 19 3 3 13 21 48 12