NUAFC 1968-2018

1977
said, "What is needed is some dynamic
person to consult all the clubs and
investigate the matter thoroughly." He
doubted if Northern League first
division side, Rotorua City, would
approve of the shift from Auckland.
"There's got to be a chance of
qualifying for national league and all
the other ad­vantages of a senior
league," he said. -
"Perhaps there could be a play
-off between the top team in the
Waikato-Bay of Plenty and the top
team in the promotion to the National
League.
As well as cutting travel costs,
he said a more localised senior league
would pro­vide Hamilton's reserves
with better football and it would not be
such a big step up for the players from
local to national league standard.
Another prime mover for a Waikato-
Bay of Plenty league has been
Claudelands Rovers, Northern third
division side. Manager Alan Cornish,
said "The Northern League keeps
football very competitive, but facilities
in Auckland are gen­erally nothing
short of dis­gusting and travelling costs
are too expensive.
"I would want a regional
league to be of reasonable standard. I'd
hate to see foot­ball going backwards
just to save costs."
He thought 10 teams would
be needed to make up a league, but
was doubtful that the top non-northern
league teams could come up to
standard.
However, coach of Waikato
league leader Melville, Bob Owens,
considered top Waikato league sides
should go into any proposed regional
league, the formation of which he
wholeheartedly supported.
He said, "I think we should
strengthen Waikato soccer first before
we start aiming for the northern league.
"The only way we can do it
and cut down travel, is by all the clubs
getting together and being resolute
United Pick Up Further
Two Points
in Northern League
The Huntly Press
Wednesday June 22nd, 1977
With star defender Barclay
McGhie having left for France, keeper
Sandy MacDonald unavailable,
winger Alan Cotter committed to the
N.Z. colts rowing squad, Eddie
Carrigan out with the ‘flu and Phillip
Bullivant injured, the game against
High School Old Boys at Auckland
looked bleak for Ngaruawahia-Affco
United. With a next to full-strength
squad at home, United lost their early 2
-0 advantage to draw 2-2 the previous
58
weekend, and dark clouds had gathered
over United’s prospects for the return
match.
By opting for an unusual 4-2-
2-2 formation, United were able to
come away from Auckland with two
valuable points and a boost of morale.
Winger Charlie Gorman and midfielder
Malcolm Sowerby were
swapped over with some eye-opening
results.
The only goal allowed came
in the first half among others
disallowed through various
infringements. The goal should never
have been if the HSOB keeper had
been thinking. United gained an
indirect free kick inside the Old Boys
penalty area and instead of the ball
being laid off for a shot, John Brown
gambled on the keeper attempting to
stop a direct shot, and he chipped for
the top corner. The keeper obligingly
parried the shot and watched it
continue on into the net with,
undoubtedly, the knowledge that he
should have let the ball in untouched
and gained a goal-kick!
United’s substitute keeper
must have put PVC adhesive on his
palms as nearly every ball coming his
way stuck firmly. HSOB had three
opportunities, missing all, with United
netting all theirs for a change and
having only one stand. 1-0.
United 1st Division Draws
The presence of veteran Ian
Todd lent much to the new
cohesiveness of Ngaruawahia-Affco
United in their 0-0 draw with Fraser at
Porritt Stadium.
The two unfortunate episodes,
(nothing to do with Fraser players) was
the broken nose of Tony Flockhart
when he collided with Tony
Armstrong, and a serious arm gash
suffered by Danny Duffull from a
sharp object on the field.
Stu Bell had a steady game in
goal that lent confidence to the rest of
his defence. Fraser saved a penalty
when it was struck too close to the
keeper, and the 0-0 draw gave United
their second point of the season.
Other results:- 2nd division
drew 3-3 with hsamilton; 3rd division
lost 1-2 to Hillcrest; 4th division lost 1-
7 to Claudelands; Ladybirds lost 0-3.
Fraser Win 3-0 over
Ngaruawahia-Affco
The Huntly Press
Wednesday June 29th, 1977
Fraser played for one and
were given two goals in their 3-0 win
against Ngaruawahia-Affco United.
The first goal came when
Mike Liddle was charged in the back
and the referee awarded the free kick
to Fraser. The United defence volleyed
the clearance into a Fraser forward and
the rebound shot into the net, giving
the keeper no reaction time.
Fraser’s second goal came
when the United defence ignored a call
from their keeper and the entanglement
resulted in the slotting of the second
goal. The third came when Rodney
Hill failed to hold an awkwardly
bouncing ball and the stray ball was
acutely driven home.
United had one ball across the
line from a Mike Liddle centre but
referee P. Hawse ruled that the Fraser
keeper had been fouled and awarded
yet another of the game’s series of
puzzling free kicks.
1st Division v Melville
With Melville out to repeat
their previous 14-0 win over United to
give them a superior goal average to
Hamilton at the top of the table, United
had to call upon three third-division
players to bolster up the team and hold
Melville to a 5-2 win, thus destroying
Melville’s aspirations for an improved
goal average.
Jeff McLaughlin netted both
goals. Steve Williams and Tony
Flockhart had good games with the
Player of the Day going to Maurice
Frankhouser.
2nd Division v Hillcrest
Waikato rep’ Dean Haggie
was awarded the player of the day for
United when Hillcrest took them 2-0.
United’s defence looked far better than
it had on previous encounters and the
team performed well against leagueleaders
Hillcrest in Hamilton. Captain
Jason Cargo was well pleased with his
team’s attitude and is confident of
good showings in the remainder of
games this season.
4th Division v Fraser
Ngaruawahia scored both
goals in their 1-1 draw with Fraser
with Wayne Abbot showing out as the
best United player on the field. United
has had more than their fair share of
draws this season and are looking
forward to the rest of the games this
year with nearly all the team being
together in the same division in 1978.
Other Results
The 8th and 13th grades
continued with their unbeaten runs this
season. 7th grade beat Southwell 2-0.
8th grade won 3-0 over Fairfield in
their hardest match of the season to
date. 9th grade lost 2-4 to Hamilton
East. 10th grade were taken 0-2 by
Rhode Street. 11th grade lost to
Fairfield 0-1. 13th grade had a 4-0
triumph over Hillcrest. Ladies lost 0-1
to Unicol.
Inter-Pub Game
A social match between the
Delta Dynamos of Ngaruawahia and
the Grand Gallopers of Rotorua