THE SOCCER GAME.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 164, 17 August 1914, Page 2

THE SOCCER GAME.

SOME POOR MATCHES. Patrons of Association football iii Christchurch were ill-served on Saturday, for in spite of the very attractive programme, there was not 'one good game. Of the six teams engaged in the Senior grade only two mustered full strength, and the resultant " scraggy" play was anything but interesting to the onlookers. - ,1

The Nomads-Sunnyside matfch, . at Sunnyside, was • delayed for half ah hour, and forty minutes' spells were played. Nomads started with nine men. Sunnyside certainly had the better of the opening exchanges, and had their centre trio only made use of the magnificent centres of Chamings, they would have been goals up. Sunnyside's out 1 side left is a remarkably good player, and it must have been most disheartening to him to find that at the end of his runs he had out distanced his supporters to such an extent that his brilliant centres fell an easy prey to Nomads' defence.

Nomads' combination in the first spell was poor, Johnson time and again nullifying their efforts. The second spell brought livelier exchanges. Now and then Nomads showed glimpses of their, old combination, arid most of .'■■ the play was in Sunnyside's half. Clay was not in form, and he spoilt many chances through taking too much heed of Norman's pressing attentions. Howie gave a very poor display; his shooting could not have been worse. Taniier and Woods were decidedly off form. Still, the Nomads were undoubtedly deserving of the two points, on the play. LINWOOD'S LATE EUN.

The Linwood team is busy picking up', points just now,, two from Nomadi and two from Sydenham, being some;, thing to be proud of. Linwood's ";wiij against Sydenham on Saturday came as a surprise. It put Sydenham pretty much out of the,running for champioirship honours. Harris, Linwojpd's centre, is getting an uncanny reputation for goal getting. Five fell to fiis fooi; on Saturday., He hias practically scored all Linwood's goals in the* last three mat©hes.~ ~.,.. . ... ~.,-■ —,.. ;...-■-

Neither team was fully represented, and the play was of a very poor order. McFarlane, Linwood's brilliant fullback, gave a fine display. Mitchell, the new Canterbury representative, showed good form. But of combination there was little or none. Sydenham's. clever young. ,halfback, McCreaner, and also the old war horse, A. Cornish,, were absent, and the vanguard, missing thensupport, made but a sorry show. The Linwood men took full advantage of the weak defence. They were wise to make the most of matters, for players

of the calibre of Ward and Golightly are full of surprises. UNITED'S SECOND WIN.

Christchurch United registered its second. win of the season, defeating Rangers by 3 goals to 1. It is about time that they made up their minds to do a bit of scoring. I have seen them several times this season. Each time they haye, played really good football, and I have been at a loss to understand their position on the 'League table. I have seen the redoubtable veteran Baxter, time ; and ,again, push, his forwards right to the goal mouth,, only.fo see them retire too bashfuL to shoot! Anyway, he seems to have overcome their reluctance at last. Possibly 'he has been,storing their energies, for the coming second round of .the English Cup. I have heard a rumour in this direction. Anyway, I fancy their chance/ At present chances are fairly even for this interesting event, and we should see three really fine matches. . .■■ Woolston suffered defeat on Saturday from Christchurch United juniors, losing' their first League match of > the season. One cannot help . but sympathise with Woolston. . The team was without the services of three of its regular players,' and took file field with nine men. Two of the missing men, I believe, .are serving .theiri.country.

THE OTAGO MATCH. ,The team which so ably clef ended the Brown Shield against; Wanganui is to stand unchanged for the great struggle withtors are "showing weakness/ for the team,, although .undoubtedly good'could have been improved. , This , time .the Canterbury team will pe "up against" aif entirely' different N style of' play to that - of' Wahganuiv * • The long, swinging passes indulged, in by Otago, an,d the two remarkably fleet outside men the southerners have will be very bdtherihg; to Canterbury, and will call for defence in which speed will tell. Of course, of the two. styles. of play the long passing is far the more tiring, and I predict that, in spite of Otago's weeks of training, if Canterbury can only keep its goal intact in the first half it will not have the great task our southern friends imagined Canterbury's representatives are" in strict training, I believe. Better late than never! They certainly are not running the risk of over-training. The time they have at their disposal will* hardly permit of that.

The Canterbury Football Association is likely to be a heavy loser over the match," unless the Soccer 1 players ' give the Association their true' and loyal support. The grave state •of affairs ,at Home makes it hard for anyone to take interest in sport. Still, .this obligation was incurred" before there was any talk of war, and it is the duty' of all lovers of Soccer to stand by the executive in this matter, and give it such a "bumping" gate that financial worries will not interfere with the afternoon's pleasure. WANDERER.