ASSOCIATION CODE

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27090, 13 July 1953, Page 7

ASSOCIATION CODE

CHATHAM CUP THISTLE BEATS WESTERN IN CANTERBURY FINAL The biggest surprise in years occurred at English Park on Saturday when the bottom team in the championship, Thistle, beat the leading team, Western, in the Canterbury final of the Chatham Cup competition by 3 goals to 1. Western had the advantage territorially, but lacked the necessary finish. Thistle will now play the winner of the Buller v. Nelson finalists in Christchurch on August 8. In the curtain-raiser at English Park Shamrock beat Atlantis by the odd goal in nine. Technical beat University at Burwood Park, and Nomads caused a surprise at Spreydon by beating City by 4 goals to 2. Results:—

THISTLE V. WESTERN Thistle achieved three things at English Park on Saturday. First, it made amends to its supporters for being bottom in the championship; second, it gave one of the best exhibitions of marksmanship seen at English Park in years, since all its goals were scored well clear of pointblank positions; and third, it inflicted the first defeat of the season on Western, which with North Shore (Auckland) is the present holder of the Chatham Cup. Thistle had its best team since the beginning of the season, mainly through the return of G. McAnulty to the forward line after a long period on the bank with a leg injury. McAnulty. though understandably not quite fit yet, nevertheless at once assumed his old role of directing the Thistle attack. His placements to the flanks and centre, ball control and headwork were all delightfully accurate and added considerably to the effectiveness of his side’s attack. Associated with McAnulty in penetrative thrusts were Wilson, inside right, and J. Gordon, right wing. Both these players exaggerated the limitations of the Western defence, I the latter carrying on over the later stages of the game when the goalkeeper. Blackburn, was hurt. Little was seen of R Clarke, at centre, because of the attentions of A. Laffey, the Western centrehalf, but P. Regan at outside left made some good moves, only to spoil them by stopping the continuity of the movement by bringing the ball round to his right foot. The Thistle back line, ably led by E. Jones and A. McAnulty, gave a grand exhibition of spoiling football which, considering Western’s territorial advantage, was a main factor in the team’s ultimate success. A. Blackbum and K. Ewing, the rival goalkeepers, both gave splendid displays in spite of poor footholds in the goal-mouth. Western played hard at the start and during this period played its most attractive football of the season, but failed to score from some good positions. This probably cost the side the match, as with Thistle providing a more adequate defence,

and C. Atkinson, who went over In the goaling opportunities became more limcorner after Wilson had broken through. Hudson converted A. Atkinson’s try.

Marist’s try was scored by Flannagan after good passing by Middleton, Mercer, and Cunneen. Haig also added a penalty goal.

The referee was Mr M. L. Blackler. ited. This latter stage showed up the weakness in the side’s cohesive effort. The attack failed to show agreeable balance, and the full-backs were often in trouble with the two Thistle wing men. Laffey, at centre-half, covered these two admirably. and his understanding with White, Ralph Smith and Cole at least paved the way for soundness in midfield play. Olley, at centre, could have used a little more discrimination at times in directing his attack. His invariable placements to the wings were too frequent to lend any originality to tlie attack. A little individualism might not have been out of place in the circumstances. M. Shardlow was the better of the flank men. N. Eggleston on the left began promisingly enough, but fpund the occasion just a little too much for him. He has promise, and when he learns to put accuracy first he will not lack goals. G. McAnulty, J. Gordon, and E. Jones scored for Thistle, and M. Shardlow for Weste.il. Reieree: Mr T. Gottermeyer. SHAMROCK v. ATLANTIS There was little between Shamrock and Atlantis in the early game at English Park, and though a draw might have been a better result, the losing side had only itself to blame. The scores were level at 2-all until well into the second spell, and then five goals were scored in almost as many minutes. This period produced some excellent cohesive efforts, and was by far the most interesting period of what promised to be just another senior match. The full value of low accurate passes in taking play into a scoring position, followed by deadly marksmanship, was appreciated at this stage by both teams. Here Shamrock displayed the better balance in its attack, with Newsome and Fields in particular and J. Price providing a spearhead always formidable. To match it, Atlantis had two heady forwards in McFarlane, outside right, and Fleming, centre-forward. On defence H. Shuttleworth (Atlantis) and J. Kavanagh (Shamrock) could not be faulted. J. Vooght and J. Callaghan, the rival goalkeepers, both gave fine displays. E. Fields (2), B. Newsome (2). and J. Price scored for Shamrock, and R. Fleming (3) for Atlantis. Referee: Mr H. Royce. TECHNICAL V. UNIVERSITY Better cohesion and finish gave Technical a decisive win over University at Burwood Park. The scores were level with one goal apiece at half time, but in the second spell Technical took the initiative and never looked like being beaten. During this period Technical’s teamwork was at its best. The intermediates anticipated well, and moved quickly to the ball and opened up play to the forwards with well directed, crisp, low passes. In conjunction with Clark and Lucas, Superiority was obtained in mid-field play and Smith at centre and Gardenbrock and Logan, the wing men, had every opportunity of pressing home the advantage. The rearrangement of the University players was not a success. It failed to improve the side’s weakness in cohesive play, although Averill, at centre half, and Feenstra and Shepherd in the forwards were always prominent. University might well take a lesson from Technical’s game and make some improvement both in positional play and direction in passing movements. W. Logan (2), V. Smith, and A. Gardenbrock scored for Technical, and M. Shaheed for University. Referee: Mr M. Cassin. NOMADS v, CHRISTCHURCH CITY At Spreydon Domain Nomads continued its unbeaten record in the second round by disposing of the strong City side by 4 goals to 2. Nomads has always possessed a solid defence, well led by D. Gowans and augmented in recent weeks by J. Kempan, but its run of successes has been largely brought about by a vast improvement in the finish of the forward line. Here T. Smitheram, R. Smith, and P. Rooyen have been able to capitalise on the openings presented by Shaw, Jesson, Ayres, and Cullen. City began casually and until too late had few answers to the bustling play of Nomads. When the initiative was taken poor marksmanship nullified some grand scoring opportunities. Hopkins, Pash, Clarke, and Saunderson were the pick of the City combination. R. Smith (2) and T. Smitheram (2) scored for Nomads, and J. Quickendcn for City. Referee: Mr C. Anderson. LOWER GRADES Second Division.—Christchurch City 4. Western 3; St. Vincent’s 2, Hinemoa 1; Rangers 7, Atlantis 0; Air Force 3, Technical 2. Sydenham Rovers beat Thistle by default. Senior Reserve.—Nomads 2, Wigram 1; United 2, Technical 1; Western 2. Shamrock 1. City beat Atlantis by default. Junior A Grade.—Burnham 4, Technical 0; Training College 4, Thistle 1; Cetic 2, Shamrock 1. Junior B Grade.—Nomads 9, St. Vinvent’s 0; Canterbury Agricultural College beat University bv default. Fourth Grade.—Nomads 4, Celtic 1.

CHATHAM CUP MATCH AT WANGANUI (New Zealand Press Association) WANGANUI. July 12. After playing extra time, Wanganui Settlers beat City of New Plymouth by 3 corners to 2 in a Chatham Association Cup football match at Wanganui on Saturday. Settlers will now play the winners of the Manawatu-Hawke's Bay match. OTAGO FINAL OF CHATHAM CUP SERIES (New Zealand Press Association) „ _ DUNEDIN, July 12. In the Otago final of the Chatham Cup Association football competition. Northern beat Roslyn-Wakari by 2 goals to 1.

Chatham Cup Local Final Thistle 3, Western 1. Championship Shamrock 5, Atlantis 4. Technical 4, University 1. Nomads 4, Christchurch City 2. The present position of the teams is: Goals. Ch. P. W. D. L. F. A. Pts Western ..7 7 - - 27 11 14 Technical O.B. 9 6 1 2 29 15 13 Chch. City ..11 4 3 4 28 24 11 University .. 10 4 1 5 16 22 9 Atlantis ..10 3 2 5 23 30 8 Shamrock .. 9 4 - 5 19 25 8 Nomads .. 10 2 3 5 19 25 7 Thistle ..8 2 - 6 19 28 4