SOCCER REPS. TEST.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 212, 8 September 1927, Page 14

SOCCER REPS. TEST.

AUCKLAND V. CANTERBURY.

MILES' LEG INJURY PUTS HIM OUT OF TEAM.

VICTORY FULLY EXPECTED.

(Special—By Reporter on Tour.) TIMARU, Wednesday. The Soccer reps, will play their last game of the tour and of the Football Association trophy series on Saturday against Canterbury in the Cathedral Ci+y, and they have been assured that their opponents, who have already one victory to their credit, are determined to improve their position at the expense of the Aucklanders. The Northern reps, are playing, however, a particularly fine game, and after - their splendid victory over the much fancied Otago reps, are very confident. The stay at Dunedin was made exceptionally pleasant through the hospitality of the southern associations, and since leaving Dunedin the Aucklanders have spent a very happy time in Timani, whence they depart for Christchurch today. ] Experiment in Wings. The team had a very useful game this afternoon against the South Canterbury reps, and won somewhat easily by five goals to nil. The occasion was taken advantage of by the sofe selector, Mr. Neesham, to try an experiment with the front rank. He played Chalmers alongside Humphreys on the right-wing, 1 and changed Dunsmore across to partner i Kay. So far as could be seen the change worked well, though the opposition was scarcely strong enough to provide a real test. It has been decided to open the game *t Christchurch with this formation. Simpson will definitely be played in place- of Miles, .whose leg injury prevents his inclusion in the team. The playere since leaving have kept diligently at practice and training, anrl they are exceptionally fit and determined to repeat. their display of Saturday last with another win, which will ensure for Auckland another year's possession of the English trophy. Clever Corner Kicking. One. feature of the. play has been the corner.kicking by Kay. At Dunedin his flag kicks were extremely well placed, and resulted in the winning goal, and in the game against South Canterbury three of the five goals came from corner kicks, neatly placed by the left-winger. The combination of the half-back line was also enhanced, and the understandin? between Simpson and Ferguson was cultivated and proved effective.

The strength of the. Canterbury side has not been overlooked, and it is recognised that there are players who will require to be very carefully watched. Trotter at centre forward is likely to have* special attention while Frickleton, 'V.fJ.. v iß understood to be a hard nut to crack. Question of Tactics. There is every likelihood that the Auckland tactics will, therefore, have to be. moulded something on the lines of last week, when all attention was focussed on Kay. Exactly what will be decided upon, however, has not been yet disclosed, and will not be till after arrival at Christchurchi Whatever hapfens the Northerners are fixed in their intention to return to the Queen City with the trophy, though their struggle against Canterbury will not be a foregone conclusion. The team leaves Christchurch on Ratnrdav night, and arrives at Auckland on Monday morning on the Limited. The tonr has been a most enjoyable one for the players and officials.