CUP HOPES FOR TAUPO TAKE 6-0 PLUNGE

Taupo Times, Volume 23, Issue 52, 2 July 1974, Page 14

CUP HOPES FOR TAUPO TAKE 6-0 PLUNGE

Taupo's chances in the Bay of Plenty soccer Knock-out Cup took a 6-nil crash on Saturday. The side was beaten by Kawerau in a hard, bruising game. Two Kawerau players and a Taupo representative * were booked by the referee. ' After an opening period during which both sides sized up each other, Kawerau began to set up dangerous moves, using its fast wingers to good effect. However, it was at the other end that the first real action came. The game erupted violently when, after a goalmouth collision between B. Ruck, the Taupo forward, and the Kawerau goalkeeper, "the goalkeeper showered the Taupo player with a flurrv of kicks and punches as he lay on the

ground. Surprisingly, Taupo was not awarded a penalty even though the Kawerau goalkeeper was booked , for his misconduct. The game continued and soon after Taupo nearly scored. R. Hindle robbed the Kawerau defence on the edge of the area but his shot, which was on its way into the net, hit the goalie — for a corner. Within minutes, Kawerau took the lead. The right-winger cut inside for a centre ball from the left and beat R. Simpson in the Taupo goal with a low shot. Not long after Kawerau scored ' again when the defence was slow to clear. Two goals down, Taupo came back and forced a corner on the right wing. Ruck hooked the ball goalwards and Hindle flicked it on, only to miss the

post by inches. As half-time approached Kawerau scored two more goals from attacks * down the left wing and Taupo looked in trouble. K. Hurren tried to score for Taupo just before the interval with a snap shot, from close in, which was blocked. A header by Hurren from the rebound was also saved. The half-time score was Kawerau 4, Taupo 0. The second half continued as the first had ended — with Kawerau on attack. The side wasted chances, however, by frying to beat too many players at times. The Taupo defence was playing reasonably well, with S. Lochrie and P. * Henry holding the centre of the Kawerau attack. But the wingers were very speedy and caused the Taupo defence much trouble. Taupo had its chances on attack, but the main difference between the teants and reason for the margin of the final score was the ability to create and capitalise on scoring chances close to the goal. Kawerau scored two further goals in the second half and ran out winners * 6-0. The Taupo team was: R. Simpson, A. Mansfield, A. „ Forrest, P. Henry, S. Lochrie, K. Hurren, C. Gilfoyle, J. Wolken, R. Hindle, B. Ruck, R. Norman. Taupo is scheduled to play an away game at Tauranga in the Bay of Plenty league next Saturday.