ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25562, 2 August 1948, Page 9

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

TECHNICAL BEATS BRIGADIERS

SOUTH ISLAND FINAL OF CHATHAM CUP

Beating Brigadiers (Southland) by 4 goals to 0, at English Park on Saturday, Christchurch Technical Old Boys won its third successive South Island final in the Chatham Cup competition. Overhead conditions, were fine but the ground was very greasy,- and this appeared to have an effect on the play of the-'Southland team. The first half, in spite of Technical’s two-goal lead at the interval, was very even, and it was only during the second spell that Technical overshadowed Brigadiers.

Brigadiers revealed itself as one of the best teams to have visited Christchurch in the last 10 years. All its. members showed a sound knowledge of the finer points of the game, and during the opening stages constantly spreadeagled the Technical defence. Only indifferent shooting prevented goals. Towards the end of the game the pace began to be felt and the side showed lack of balance, both on attack and defence. Certainly the conditions appeared to favour Technical, but it is doubtful- whether this disadvantage would have offset the lack of intensive preparation necessary in matches of this kind. As it was, after an even first half, Technical’s superiority, particularly in mid-field play, asserted itself and the Brigadiers’ halves had to contribute more and more to defence and less to attack. With Technical monopolising mid-field play by good backing up, these clearance seldom eased the pressure sufficiently to give the defence a much-needed breathing spell. In spite of this, Brigadiers stuck to their task with- a slogging tenacity, and Technical’s goals were mostly opportunist. Perhaps the outstanding man on the field was McKendry, the Brigadiers goalkeeper, who stuck to his task and brought off some really brilliant saves. Not far behind him was R. Morrison, the captain. Although losing Bailey at times, he played an inspired game. McKenzie was the best of a hard-working set of backs, and Officer, if at times a little selfish, covered a tremendous amount of ground at right half. Of the forwards, D. Ottley was brilliant, and there appeared, on New Zealand standards, little for him to learn about his position. Unfortunately he was the only key to the Brigadiers’ attack, and Technical was quick to realise this and curtailed his activities as much as possible. Technical, after a poor start with lack of cohesion, settled down to play good football in the conditions. Even the unfortunate loss of Davey did not upset Technical, although more work devolved on the shoulders of Bailey, at centre forward, through the relegation of his best forager. The side’s main strength was in its combination, and this was well demonstrated in the decisive second spell when possession was held with commendable accuracy. The pivot of the team again was V. Smith, who came up, more perhaps to counter Ottley. Smith, if anything over-did the long placement through the centre, and Bailey did not add to his first goal through this manoeuvre. Bailey did everything right, varying his attack with discriminating placements tothe flanks and using his speed to burst through the middle when opportunity Brigadiers kicked off but Technical swung to the attack, O’Malley’s centre being headed just over the bar by Thomas. After see-sawing play, Technical returned, Thomas placing nicely, for Bailey to race through and score. Brigadiers attacked hotly, McKenzie placing up to N. Morrison, who let Olley in, but Harris cleared from a difficult situation. After a fine save by McKendry after a Technical counter, Ottley beat three men and gave Olley a royal chance, but the wing lost his footing when shooting. Brigadiers kept up the pressure, Ottley and Olley making ground before placing to N. Morrison, who slipped past the fullbacks, but Davey, and later Smith, saved certain goals. Davey went off injured, O’Malley going to goal and Grieve coming on in the forwards. . An experimental thrust by the Technical forwards found the Brigadiers’ defence sound, and play returned. R. Morrison placing to Ottley, to Olley, to Wil* son. Mason saved at the expense of a fruitless corner. Technical then took a hand, a long pass by J. Cook being carried on by Thomas, who centred to let Bailey in for an easy goal. Brigadiers set up a strong offensive, with the whole forward line weaving a way through the Technical defence. O'Malley was safe with Wilson’s shot. After a free kick. Brigadiers should have scored, but Wilson’s kick was weak. Just before halftime, Ottley went right through the Technical defence, but his shot was just outside the posts. Technical attacked on the resumption, but a misunderstanding between Grieve and McLennan lost a good scoring chance. Ottley, Olley, and Wilson figured in a Brigadiers’ counter, which Dean cleared, and Technical returned, only for R. Morrison and McKendry to hold them off. After Lucas missed from an opening by Grieve and McLennan. Grieve put a firsttime shot into -the net. Officer, who had been injured early, wtent off leaving his side one short. During the closing stages, in which' Technical had much the better of the play, Grieve went through to give Bailey an easy goal. Technical Old Boys 4, Brigadiers 0. The referee was Mr C. Sweeney. The teams were:— Technical Old Boys.—R. Davey; M. Dean; E. Harris, J. Mason, V. Smith, J. Cook; J. McLennan, P. O’Malley, C. Bailey. K. Lucas, C. Thomas. Brigadiers.—J. McKendry; C. McKenzie, O. Dawson; G. Officer, R. Morrison, D. Holding; D. Wilson, G. Gordon, N. Morrison, D. Ottley, B. Olley. LOWER GRADES Senior Reserve.—University 6, Rangers 3; Western 3, Watersiders 2; Shamrock 2, Celtic 0. Junior A Grade.—Shamrock 3, Western 2; Nomads beat Lincoln College by default. Junior B Grade.—Nomads 7, Technical 1. Fifth Grade.—Rangers 7, Technical D 0; Nomads 1, Technical A 0; Celtic 3, Western 1. Sixth Grade.—Watersiders 1, Technical B 0; Western B 2, Nomads 1; Thistle 3, Shamrock R 0. ■ Eighth Grade.—Thistle 3, Shamrock R 0; Nomads A 6, Shamrock A 0; Shamrock R 2, Shamrock 2.