Rotorua avenges earlier loss: Taupo downed 2-1

Taupo Times, Volume 23, Issue 50, 25 June 1974, Page 14

Rotorua avenges earlier loss: Taupo downed 2-1

Rotorua City avenged its early season defeat by beating Taupo 2-1 on Saturday in the first match of round two of the Bay of Plenty soccer league competition. The pitch at Rotorua was wet and slippery after overnight rain and Rotorua soon had the Taupo defence in trouble. In quick succession, the side broke away down the right wing and, with a little more steadiness in front of goal, could have built up an early lead. On one occasion the Rotorua centre-forward went round the Taupo goalie Robert Simpson and, with an open net, shot wide. Taupo overcame this opening burst and the defence settled down. The Rotorua mid field players were picking up all the loose balls and Taupo found it hard to set up attacks. Through balls to Robert Hindle down the middle and Kerry Hurren on the left wing were not finding their mark but as the half progressed Taupo was coming into the game. After 30 minutes the side took the lead. After a foul on the left side of the edge of the penalty area, Hindle took the free kick and lifted the ball over the defence and into the net. Rotorua came back but Simpson pulled off a good save when a snap shot looked goal-bound. However, Rotorua scored five minutes before the interval. Taupo lost the ball in mid field and Rotorua swung onto attack, split the defence and scored with a good shot. The half-time score was Rotorua City 1, Taupo 1. The second half continued with Rotorua dominating the mid-field and setting up many attacks, A combination of bad

shooting and at times desperate attacking let Taupo off the hook several times. Taupo's attacks were breaking down due to lack of support in mid-field where the gap from defence to attack was too great on many orcasions. Rotorua had surprisingly replaced its dangerous looking right winger and it was down the left that Rotorua became a threat. Taupo conceded three corners on the left and then a free kick outside the area. With the Taupo defence busily marking the forwards, The Rotorua winger shot direct for goal from the narrow angle and Simpson could only partially save and the ball went in the net to give Rotorua a 2-1 lead. A Forrest, the Taupo defender was injured in a heavy collision and was replaced by C. Gilfoyle. Gilfoyle moved up with the Taupo forwards and although it left a gap in defence it enabled Taupo to put the pressure on for the first time in the game. In the last 15 minutes the Rotorua defencey showed signs of fatigue on the heavy pitch and Taupo went all out for an equaliser. Hurren on the left wing was elear on two occasions but couldn't score. The nearest Taupo came to scoring was five minutes from the end when B. Ruck fired a shot from well out which went inches over the bar. The game ended with Taupo still on attack but Rotorua coming out winners by one goal. It was a well deserved victory for Rotorua. The Taupo team was: — R. Simpson, A. Forrest, T. Blay, A. Mansfield, S. Lochrie, D. Troy, P. Henry, B. Ruck, R. Hindle, D. Bowles, K. Hurren. Substitute: C. Gilfoyle. The scorer for Taupo: R. Hindle. Next Saturday, Taupo will travel to Kawerau for the second round cup tie in the Tasman Cup.

After their thrilling win over Whakatane in the first round, it is hoped that Taupo can pull off another giant-killing win. Taupo beat Kawerau in a league game 3-1 two weeks ago but its opponents have the ground advantage this time.