Underdogs May Cause Soccer Cup Upsets

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31082, 10 June 1966, Page 13

Underdogs May Cause Soccer Cup Upsets

The two unfancied teams, New Brighton and Waterside, have a date at English Park tomorrow with the Chatham Cup competition and the chance to write a new chapter in their clubs’ respective history books.

Neither has ever reached the final of the Canterbury sectional competition, the semi-finals being the peak of their progress to date.

Tomorrow Is yet another semi-finals’ day, but this time both Brighton and Waterside have bright prospects of moving that one stage further.

Brighton meets the holder and winner this season of the O’Brien’s tournament, Christchurch City: Waterside plays last year’s runner-up, Western. On paper their chances are not good but the cup is a great leveller and very often favours the underdogs. Two Fine Victories Brighton, the second division leader which lost its place in the first division to Waterside, has already accounted for two first division teams this season—ShirleyNomads and Technical, beating both 5-1.

Waterside put out University in the first round and then surprised by defeating High School Old Boys a week after the Old Boys had overwhelmed Rangers, 8-2. As a second division club, Waterside reached the semi-finals last year, knocking out Technical on the way before losing to Western. Tomorrow’s early match at English Park is the opportunity the Watersiders have been waiting for—to avenge that defeat of last season. The two clubs have already met once this season, in the Hurley Shield competition, when Western was a convincing winner, 6-0. Mud Will Help

However, tomorrow Waterside will have one advantage it did not get the previous time they met— a heavy, muddy ground. Many of its players are in the veteran stage and can be overrun by a faster, fitter team. On a muddy, holding ground Waterside’s lack of speed will not be such a disadvantage and its cup-tie aggression a more potent factor. Brighton is riding on thei

crest of a wave which started way back when it swept aside all opposition in the indoor soccer competition and came through unbeaten. The team is still unbeaten, eight second division games and two cup ties later, and its players are brimming with confidence.

The new Canterbury captain, T. Conley, has worked wonders with his young team, and the two young forwards, G. Taylor and A. Caine, will

prove a handful to the strong City defence. City has been going through a difficult patch similar to that which existed befor its South Island final against St. Kilda last yearf during the same period everything has gone right for Brighton, on and off the field. It is said that success breeds success: Brighton could prove it correct tomorrow.