First league win for United

Press, 16 April 1979, Page 16

First league win for United

Two second-half goals earned Trans Tours United its first win in this season’s Rothmans Soccer League competition against Dunedin City at Queen Elizabeth II Park yesterday. It also signalled an improved display from United. lln winning the match, 2-0, it overcame a determined challenge from an energetic and talented team. The first half of the match was especially entertaining, fast, and freeflowing. But. the second half spluttered and stumbled through a series of stoppages and freekicks. On this showing. Dunedin City should be quite capable of avoiding relegation. It has a competent defence in which John Sudbl, the goal keeper stood out. Its midfield got through much j work, Doug Hemmings and Nigel Debenham making I significant contributions. i Its front line is headed by | Steve Woodin, who had a I superb first half. He directed ! play on the left side for j Dunedin City and showed

fine skill with the ball at his feet. United began the match with a rush. Tn the first smin Frank McKay had chipped the bail over Sudol onto the post and had hit the cross-bar but was re-| called for being offside and; Johann Verweij had put the j ball in the net only to be! brought back for an earlier; infringement. United used Steve Sumner, j who had a fine game, and lan Marshall in the midfield, with Verweij and Richard: Mulligan also helping when ■ needed. Verweij and Mulli-i Igan also made important; contributions to the front line with McKay and Kevin | Mulgrew and it seemed to, be a satisfactory com-; bination. The Dunedin defence conceded may free kicks. From! one of these Verweij! watched Sudol push hisj strong effort over the bar. Dunedin City seemed its most, dangerous when breaking quickly from defence. It

worked its off-side trap effectively, catching McKay i out on many occasions. Three players were cautioned by the referee (Mr Arthur Edwards): Debenham . for a foul on lan Park, Alex (Cameron, the Dunedin City I! substitute. who brought [down Trevor Reece when I the United player was surging down the right on the (overlap, and Sumner for a (bad tackle on Dave Munro, 'the Dunedin City full-back. j United started the second half in the same vein as (it began the match. Sudol; (pulled off a fine, diving save; (from Marshall’s left-foot! (shot from sm. A dull period (of play followed when both (teams seemed unable to take (charge. j It took a goal for United | Ito reassert itself. Ike Nitis.! (the Dunedin centre-back.’ (slipped and lost the ball and I Mulligan flicked it on for McKay, who expertly pushed the ball into the corner of; !the net from 15m after! (25min.

-i In the next few minutes 'lVerweij headed wide from a [Mulgrew cross, Sumner .'burst through the middle of r the field but hammered his ! shot over the bar, and Sudol ; grabbed the ball just before • it crossed the Dunedin line. t With llmin remaining i United scored its second . goal, the credit for which . should go to McKay. Dunei din City’s off-side trap failed, leaving McKay clear. When confronted by Sudol he pushed the ball square for Verweij to place the ball I [in the net. ; The same move just failed I2min later when McKa\ s pass was intercepted. Mulgrew then tried to flick the • ball over Sudol's head but failed. United’s defence, with [Ross Durant proving a (highly adequate central . defender, performed well but was always troubled by Woodin. It was a competent Unded (performance but one which (still left room for improve, ment.