ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26516, 3 September 1951, Page 10

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

FIRST ROUND OF ENGLISH CUP

Y.M.C.A. BEATS WESTERN

The first round of the Canterbury Football Association's English Cup knock-out competition began on Saturday, and with one exception the leading teams qualified for the next round, the semi-final. The exception was at Barrington Park, where Y.M.C.A., which had previously beaten Thistle, on this occasion beat the favourite, Western. At Spreydon Park Technical finished better to beat Rangers by 6 goals to 1. The English Park games also resulted in clear-cut wins. Results:— Thistle «, Celtic 0. Nomads 5, Atlantis 2, BLM.C.A. 4, Western 2. Technical 6, Rangers 1. THISTLE V. CELTIC

The first half in the early game at English Park between Thistle and Celtic resolved itself into a struggle between the Celtic defence and the Thistle attack, and here, with no score, the honours went to Celtic. The side was certainly helped by the amazingly poor passing by Thistle, but the solid capacity for work of McFall in goal, together with Nelson, Druker, McCann, Brownlie, and O’Rawe, the cover defence proved the real .stumbling block. At the same time, led by J. O’Rawe. the forwards, particularly Condon and Newton, the centre forward, made frequent sallies which, with better ball control, might have been turned to account. After the Interval Thistle played as a team and dominated the half with well executed passing movements finished by devastating marksmanship. Here Gordon was outstanding, scoring two goals and contributing to many of the others. J. Gordon (2), A. Davis (2), N. Joseph and J. White, scored for Thistle. Referee: Mr L. Englefield. NOMADS v. ATLANTIS

In the main match at English Park, Nomads were in brilliant form In the first quarter of an hour against Atlantis. Three goals were registered in this time. Well to the fore were Fox, Shearer,- and Wright. After this good start, Nomads kept the initiative until the closing stages, when two Atlantis sallies bore fruit. Atlantis has the material, but not the ability, to play constructive football for any length of time. Kick and rush tactics, particularly by the forwards, have contributed to the side’s lack of success this season, and until this Is remedied little improvement can be expected in performance. Outstanding for Atlantis was C. Strong, at centre-half.

P. Fox (2), T. Shearer, B. Shaw, and F. Wright scored for Nomads, and K. Campbell and R. Fleming for Atlantis. Referee: Mr W. Dick.

Y.M.C.A. v. WESTERN In spite of poor showings at English Park, Y.M.C.A. seems to play better at Barrington Park. The side beat Thistle there earlier in the season, and on Saturday beat Western. In each ease, Y.M.C.A. proved that in the third back game the most successful attacking movements came from a defensive position. If the forwards won the match by their grand opportunism and marksmanship, much credit must go to the defence, who worked tirelessly to keep their goal clear. Western had its scoring opportunities, but poor shooting and inability to find room to work in because of the fast recovering of Y.M.C.A. resulted In the deficit at the finish. D. Carey (2), E. Millward, and K. Pash scored for Y.M.C.A., and R, Deakin and R. Smith for Western. • Referee: Mr T. Mathie.

TECHNICAL V. RANGERS Although the final result gave Technical a comfortable win at Spreydon Park, Rangers were not disgraced, and with a better balanced forward line might have brought the scoring more in line with the trend of play. There are some good constructive players in the Rangers team, but lack qf knowledge of the finer points of good positional play has resulted in giving possession to the other side. The Technical forwards, with grand support and coverage by the defence, had a feast of the ball over the closing stages, and with wavering opposition were not slow to take the initiatve. The passing became crisper and less prone to interception. W. Logan (2), V. Smith (2), P. O’Malley, and G. Gibbons scored for Technical, and W. McPherson for Rangers. Referee: Mr H. Royce. LOWER GRADES Second Division.—Shamrock 3, Technical 2. Senior Reserve.—Knock-out: Shamrock 6, St. Vincent’s 5. In a friendly match, Western beat Port Auckland 6-1. Junior Grade.—Sydenham Rovers 5. Thistle 2; St. Vincents beat Rangers by default. Fourth Grade.—Western 8, Y.M.C.A. 0. Fifth Grade.—Technical A 7, Western 0; Shamrock 8, Technical B 0. Seventh Grade.—Shamrock beat Nomads by default. Eighth Grade.—ln a friendly match Seatoun (Wellington) beat Western (Aranui), 2-1. z

FLYGER ROSE BOWL TEAM

The following will represent Canterbury against Wellington in the New Zealand final of the Flyger rose bowl competition next Saturday:—B. Thornton (Nomads): T. Campion (Shamrock). L. Hufnm (Technical): H. Graham (Technical). S. Eggleston (Western), captain, E. Fuller (Technical); W. Joyce (Shamrock), W. Dunn (Technical), E. Field (Shamrock), T. Grice (St. Vincent’s), D. Newton (Celtic). Reserves: K. Townsend (Western). J. Forsyth (University). Manager: Mr L. C. Johnston,

IN OTHER CENTRES

Auckland.—Auckland 2, Navy 2; Eastern Suburbs 6, Mount Albert 4. Dunedin.—Knock-out competition: Northern 2 comers, Watersiders 0; Roslyn Wakari 2, Technical Old Boys 1. Wellington.—New Settlers 5, Kiwis 3.