7 August 2000
Independent Newspapers Ltd
By PETER JONES
The tough road trip and end of season blues finally caught up with Marlborough United yesterday when they lost their final Federation Six soccer match 0-4 to Rangers. The four-hour trip south saw United looking jaded in the opening encounters.
It was only after Rangers striker Shem Banbury hit the back of the net after 10 minutes that United began to settle.
They upped their defensive intensity but rarely looked like breaking through at the other end, venturing only infrequently into the home side's half.
Jason Stapley scored his first after 20 minutes and Russell Kamo added Rangers' third 15 minutes later, making it 0-3 at the half-time break.
It could have been much worse for United as shots rained down on their goal throughout the first spell.
Keeper Mike Newport was the busiest man on the pitch, saving at least seven goals, according to manager Jill Chapman.
United tightened their defence in the second half but were undone in the 15th minute when Stapley scored his second to bring up the final scoreline.
Although they tightened their defence for the remainder of the match and kept Rangers from adding to their total, United were unable to exert much pressure on the opposition's goal mouth.
The absence of skipper Mike Irving was sorely felt by United. The big midfielder has been in fine form recently and although Darren Aldridge had a strong game in the middle of the park and was named man of the match, he was often fighting a one-man battle.
Lindsay Morrison, Richard Marsden and Corey McKinnel were also singled out by Chapman for praise. Despite the lop-sided scoreline United's manager was proud of her team. "They played a gutsy game," Chapman said.
"Rangers ran the angles well and played a nice one-touch game but our side certainly didn't disgrace themselves."
Marlborough finished the season in eighth place on the Fed Six points table.
Halswell were crowned Federation Six region champions on Saturday, despite being held 3-3 by Western.
Halswell striker Keith Grosvenor picked up the Golden Boot award as the league's top scorer for the season with 24 goals.
Results from Saturday's final round: Western 3 Halswell 3; Universities 1 Avon 1; Christchurch City 5 New Brighton 0; Christchurch United 3 Nomads 1; Rangers 4 Marlborough 0.