ASSOCIATION CODE

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25181, 12 May 1947, Page 5

ASSOCIATION CODE

HURLEY SHIELD MATCHES WATERSIDERS BEAT NOMADS Two surprises marked the fifth series of matches in the Hurley Shield championship competition, played under ideal conditions on Saturday afternoon. In each case the wins were fully justified. In the first game, at English Park, Watersiders proved too good for the strong Nomads side, and in the second game Celtic, so far without a win, trounced the hitherto undefeated Rangers. At St Albans Park, Technical I easily beat Shamrock, and at Elmwood Park , Western overwhelmed Technical II by the biggest tally of the season. Results:— Celtic 6, Rangers 4. Watersiders 3, Nomads 2. Technical I 8. Shamrock 0. Western 11, Technical 11 0. Championship points now are: Western 10, Rangers 6, Technical I 6, Thistle 6, Nomads 4, Watersiders 4, Celtic 2, Technical II 2, Shamrock 0. CELTIC v. RANGERS In a game which showed the value of good team work as against sluggish, semiindividual efforts, Celtic outclassed Rangers in the main game at English Park. It was Celtic’s first win of the season, and Rangers’ first loss, and never was a win more justly deserved. For three-quarters of the game Celtic alone was dangerous in possession, but over the concluding stages the pace demanded made itself felt, and subsequently the side's play deteriorated. This lack of fitness over the concluding stages was the only fault of the side, and this can be remedied with a stiffer training schedule. Apart from some brilliant individual efforts by Shaw, at centre, all the scoring for Celtic came from gojd forward movements. With halves and backs supporting with fine positional play, and crisp, accurate passes, the forwards at one stag" had a four-goal lead, and this against a side renowned for its defence. Rangers gave a disappointing display. The forwards were definitely weak, and the defence lacked its usual solidity under pressure. Inaccuracies made any effort at cohesive play sWirt-lived, and as a result Rangers were only dangerous durlhg flashy solo efforts, most of which were promptly squashed by the opposing defence. Rangers have missed the generalship of F. Adams in recent matches, and with no one to take his place it seems as though two reserve players at least will be tried next Saturday. Goals were scored for Celtic by B. Shaw (3). J. O’Rawe, J. McGlinchey. and G. McMenamin. D. Head (2). R. Furlong, and A. Madden netted for Rangers. Referee: Mr C. Sweeney.

WATERSIDERS V. NOMADS Better team work in the forward 'line and a stiffer defence gave Watersiders a ' well-merited win over Nomads in the early game at English Park. In previous matches this season the winners had shown little real scoring ability in the forward line, but against Nomads they set out to play good constructive football. and made a first-rate job of it. With , the two inside forwards initiating lhei ; movements. the wingers and centre I ' proved themselves thoroughly capable of pressing home the advantage. Among a ‘ hard-working defence J. King, at left fullback, was outstanding, giving a display as good as any seen at the park this season. W. Ford, in goal, was very sound. i Nomads’ main weakness was in the for- > wards, who gave a very disannointing ' display. Any effort to work together was i wasted by poor passing and positional > play. The inside forwards failed to make . openings for either the flanks or centre, 1 and were far too deliberate in possession, ' thus slowing up an attacking thrust. I Goals were scored for Watersiders by i J. Tennant. J. McMeod. and S. Ormsby. 1 E. Kenney netted for Nomads. Referee: Mr T. Mathie. * TECHNICAL I V. SHAMROCK Technical Old Bovs soon had the match in hand against Shamrock at St. Albans * Park. Keeping possession with fast low - passes, the side constantly harassed the = Shamrock defence. Getting more than a 1 fair share of the ball, the forwards showed > thrust and finish on both flanks and * centre, and in view of the hard matches ahead this augurs well for the side’s * chances of success. » Shamrock showed that it has the ma- . terial, but little else. Individualism and . scrambling play nullified many ooportunil ties of keeping possession. Indiscriminj ate passing and centring can never lay the foundations of good teamwork, and ’ in spite of the number of defeats in- ' dieted. Shamrock has apparently yet to learn this. ■ Goals were scored for Technical by C. Thomas (3). C. Bailey (2), S. Goldsmith, 1 K. Lucas, and R. Storer. Referee. Mr M. Cassin. WESTERN v. TECHNICAL II j In spite of a promising beginning. Tech--3 nical wilted shortly after the interval in ; its match against Western at Elmwood - Park. Both teams kept the game open. * This suited the winners, whose speedy ? forwards constantly outmanoeuvred the tired Technical defence, particularly in the closing stages. Western took some time to settle down, s and it was not until the second spell, with Almond back in the van, that the full * weight of the attack was delivered. The 3 side showed a steadier defence than 5 j hitherto. Goals were scored for Western s by A. Almond (4), R. Smith (2), E. B • Hauehey (2), G. Smith, R. Dowker, and I G. Graham. ’ Referee: Mr L. Tolnton.