Taupo soccer side loses game, record

Taupo Times, Volume 23, Issue 55, 11 July 1974, Page 10

Taupo soccer side loses game, record

Taupo's senior soccer team lost another game in the Bay of Plenty league on Saturday — and its 100 per cent home win record. Taupo played Te Puke in cold conditions made worse by a strong cross wind. Both sides struggled to master the wind and both continued to used the long ball throughout the game, when accurate ground passing was the order of the day. The first half was somewhat scrappy. The Te Puke side was quick on the break and its right winger was to give Taupo some worrying times as the game progressed. Taupo was gaining its share of midfield play, but did not look dangerous. With the wind in its favour. Taupo did not test the Te Puke goalie. Te Puke took the lead after 32 minutes when, after a mix-up in defence, Taupo failed to c'Jear and goalie R. Simpson misjudged a low shot which passed him and went into the net. Taupo came back and S. Lochrie fir'ed a good shot from 25 yards which just went over the top. R. Hindle also went close, but half-time came with the score Taupo 0, Te Puke 1. With the type of football that Taupo plays it was not surprising that the side began to show better form in the second half when forced to keep the ball low. Hindle and R. Norman went close to scoring but after 61 minutes, and somewhat against the run of play, Te Puke scored again when its winger used the wind with a high shot

to beat the Taupo goalkeeper. Taupo had another letoff when the Te Puke right winger also judged his shot well over the goalie — but on to the bar. Taupo came back and began to set up some dangerous moves. Te Puke's defence began to make mistakes and after 75 minutes Taupo scored. Norman was put through and slid the ball over the advancing goalie. Taupo threw everything on to attack and the Te Puke goal mouth was the scene of some exciting

moments. Taupo forced several free kicks close in but. despite some doubtful taetics by the Te Puke defenders and a eouple of bewildering decisions by the referee. Taupo -could not equalise • and the game ended with Taupo 1, Te Puke 2. The Taupo team was: R. Simpson, A. Mansfield, P. Henry, S. Lochrie, T. Blay, C. Gilfovle, K. Sniith, A. Forrest. K. Hurren. R. Hindle, R. Norman. Substitute: D. Bowles. On Saturday Taupo will play an away league game against Tauranga City.