Junior Cup Defeat

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31114, 18 July 1966, Page 14

Junior Cup Defeat

More direct and more powerful Otago qualified for the New Zealand final of the Junior National Cup when it outplayed Canterbury, 4-0, at English Park on Saturday. For only a 20-minute spell in the second half did the Canterbury under-18 team look on even terms with Otago. During this period scoring chances were squandered, and at the finish Otago was as firmly in control as it had been at the start. Almost throughout the match the Otago wingers, D. Stenhouse and L. Reyntjes, had the beating of Canterbury’s backs, G. Davis and T. Wilson. The Insideforwards, S. White and R. Neilson, used the ball intelligently to feed M. Ferguson, at centreforward, who was always a danger. In contrast, the Canterbury forwards never performed as a unit, and a solidly-constructed Otago defence rarely had more than a few solo bursts to contend with.

The Canterbury centre-half, D. Almond, lost his battle with Ferguson, and because he was unable to command the middle, the Otago forwards took the initiative early on and kept it. Canterbury would have suffered a heavier beating but for the fine goal-keeping by D. Phillips, who made some excellent saves.

Otago took the lead after seven minutes with a somewhat lucky goal. Ferguson sent a high lobbed centre into the goal which dipped at the last minute. Phillips slipped and the ball went under the bar. For a long period the score remained at 1-0, and the issue was in doubt until Otago scored twice within a minute after 28 minutes of the second half. Defensive errors allowed Ferguson to add his second goal and Neilson broke through the middle to make it 3-0.

For the only time in the game the Otago defence became ragged and the Canterbury forwards came more into the game. But a lack of shooting power and accuracy allowed Otago to weather the storm. With only seconds remaining T. Wilson put through his own goal to complete the ecoring.