City Fells Top Teams

Spectators present at the Reserve, for Gisborne City's last two National League games of the season, saw the best football of the year when the in-form local side defeated Christchurch United, 1-0, and drew with Blockhouse Bay, 0-0. Both of the visiting teams had needed victories to have a good chance of winning the league.

On this page we feature the match against Christchurch United.

Helping City out with its goal-keeper shortage was schoolboy Peter Short, seen here making a fantastic save from a shot by United's Brian Hardman. At right are fullback Colin Milne (City) and striker Alan Marley.

United 'keeper Tony Fleming punches the ball clear from the head of City's Phil Balcombe, with Danny Birnie looking on.

City's Eddie Simpson takes Brian Hardman in a classic sliding tackle

With two players clashing on the near post. City 'keeper Peter Short watches as his fullback, Maurice Tillotson, heads the ball clear

In the closing stages of the match. Short was put under a great deal of pressure by Christchurch, as can be seen in these two photos

In the match against Block-house Bay, Gisborne was very fortunate in having new 'keeper George Flecknor between the posts, as he gave a courageous and faultless display under severe pressure from the Auck-landers.

Here, he takes a high cross while City players Maurice Tillotson, Eddie Simpson, Phil Balcombe (12) and Ken Dugdale anxiously look on. (Photos on this page by Richard Fletcher)

Two more dangerous situations are nullified by the safe hands of Flecknor

Blockhouse players Clive Campbell and Mike Farac on attack, with City's Ken Dugdale, Dave Car rick, Colin Milne (14) and Bob Dunn reorganising the defence

While Dugdale tussles with Andy Allanson (Blockhouse Bay) for a high ball, Les Todd comes around to cover the situation

Previous article Issue contents Next article

The Gisborne Photo News

No 219 : September 6, 1972

City Fells Top Teams