REP. SOCCER TEAM.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 185, 8 August 1927, Page 13

REP. SOCCER TEAM.

AUCKLAND V. WELLINGTON. PLAYERS NOJILNATED. The sole selector (Mr. A. P. Neesham) on Saturday afternoon announced the final list of players from whom the rep team to play the first of the English trophy games against Wellington at Auckland next Saturday will be chosen. The list includes all the players who composed the Auckland team against the Canadians, with the addition of Jones (North Shore), Ferguson (Thistle) and Chalmers (South Auckland), a forward who, if included, will tako up a position on tho left wing. The players chosen will assemble for final training on Tuesday at Blandford Park, and arc: Batty (Tramways), C.errard (North Shore), Reid (Thistle), Ferguson (Thistle), Carter and Christie (Thistle), Jones (North Shore), Dickson (Thistle), Innes (Ponsonby), Dnnsmore (Thistle), Humphreys (Y.M.C.A.), Spencer (Tramways), Hislop (Thistle), Mile*. (Navy), and Chalmers (South Auckland),

Makings of Strong Team. The players named have the makings of a strong team, and the eleven selected should give a good account of themselves. The first problem in the final eleven in likely to be in the backs. The play of Ferguson lately has been attracting attention. Gerrard, of North Shore, has been Auckland's back for the past two seasons, but thie year has not been right at the top of his form. Aβ against that, Ferguson has come to the front with several convincing displays, which are bound to influence the selector. In combination with his ekihmate Rrid, the team would have a strong defence and a pair who, by their play side by side, week after week, have struck up astrong and clever combination. Gerrard, while far from being a failure, has not evinced that dash and enthusiasm in his game which would make his position safe, and in view of Ferguson's form of late, he certainly deserves a trial in the reps. Jones can hardly bo kept out of tho middle line, though he was overlooked for the Auckland match against the Canadians. Ho is likely to be opposed by quite a different class of opposition in the Wellington eide and knows their game. Carter, Christie and Jones are almost sure to be the final middle line chosen. Difficult Task.

For tho forwards Inncs ami nfter their valiant show agnin*t Canada, aro certainties, but tho centre-forward position i« a choice between Humphreys and Spencer. The Y.M.C.A. pivot this season has been much nioro deadly in front of the goal than has tho Tramways leader, who has not shown anything liko tho form of last season. The left wing will be filled by Hislop and Miles, of Navy, or Chalmers, of South Auckland, who distinguished himself against the Canadians in that position at Hamilton. Ho plays a game which may harmonise more with the general team work which has characterised Auckland, though the dash and vigour of the Navy winger are well known. Miles has not been seen very frequently at outside left, though his versatility is no doubt well known. The selector will have a difficult task making hie final choice, and whichever player he elects to favour with his confidence is likely to .justify selection.

When the Auckland eleven is chosen to take the field it is likely to bo as follows: Batty, Ferguson and Reid, Carter, Christie and Jones, Innes and Dunsmore, Humphreys, Hislop and Chalmers. A Complication. In tho match with Onehunga on Saturday afternoon, Humphreys, along with an opponent, was ordered ofF the field, thereby presenting tho management of the A.P.A. with a very perplexing problem. Just what will happen remains to be ieen, but the chances of the player appearing for Auckland should not be allowed to influence the judgment of the powers that be.