ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27096, 20 July 1953, Page 10

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

HURLEY SHIELD GAMES NOMADS AND WESTERN DRAW The only surprise in matches on Saturday in the Canterbury Football Association’s senior championship was the draw between Western and Nomads at Elmwood Park. This is the first competition game Western has not won this season. In the main game at English Park. Thistle, Canterbury’s Chatham Cup hope, failed miserably against Technical, and was soundly trouncea. In the curtainraiser at English Park, Shamrock, after a 4 to 3 lead at the interval, overwhelmed Chrisctchurch City to win by a margin of six goals, and at Hagley Park, Atlantis won an even game against University. Results:— Technical 8, Thistle 2. Shamrock 9, Christchurch City 3. Atlantis 2, University 0. Western 3, Nomads 3. Championship points are:—Western 15, Technical 15, Christchurch City 11, Shamrock 10, Atlantis 10, University 9, Nomads 8, Thistle 4.

TECHNICAL v. THISTLE By beating Western the previous week, Thistle became Canterbury’s hope in the Chatham Cup knock-out competition, but on Saturday in a championship game against Technical, the side reverted to the displays that have made it a bad last in the championship. Technical had the better of a dull first half, and led 2-1, but after the interval it took the initiative in earnest and exploited all Thistle’s weaknesses. Poor cohesion by Thistle gave Technical superiority in mid-field. But for this weakness Thistle might have achieved something with a solid defence and an enterprising spearhead, but in both there was only spasmodic competence. Technical gave its best display of the season. The whole side worked as a team. Under pressure the defence was seldom without the services of the intermediate, Cook and Storer, with Lucas and Phillips, the inside forwards, also handy, and on attack the whole team moved ahead to exploi? every thrust. One very pleasing aspect was the excellent finish of the spearhead. Gardenbrock, right wing, V. Smith, centre forward, and W. Logan, left wing, showed themselves a formidable attacking force, and a continuance of this form should gain Technical many wins before the season is over. A. Gardenbrock (3), V. Smith (2), W. Logan (2), and E. Phillips scored for Technical, and G. McAnulty (2) for Thistle. Referee: Mr T. Billcliff.

SHAMROCK v. CHRISTCHURCH CITY Shamrock led Christchurch City 4-3 at the interval, but during the second half forced the pace to win by 9 goals to 3. Up to the interval. City appeared to have an even chance of victory, but poor tactics cost it the game. The reason for making play continually to the right wing, which was marked by the best back in New Zealand, was hard to understand. The whole City team worked hard as a unit, but lacked pace to counter the speed on attack of Newsome, Fields, and Price, who, individually and collectively, gave a brilliant display of attacking football. They were well served, and drove home the advantage of possession. In a smoothly functioning team. K. Gray, left half, and J. Kavanagh, left back, were also outstanding. E. Fields (6), N. Donnelly, and J. Price scored for Shamrock, and L. Wells, J. Irving, and A.. Wilson for Christchurch City. Referee: Mr C. Sweeney.

ATLANTIS V. UNIVERSITY There was little between Atlantis and University in their match at Hagley Park. Good tackling and haphazard passing both served to keep possession equally shared. Occasionally, however, some perfectlyexecuted combined movements broke through, but poor marksmanship nullified fine scoring opportunities. Both sides suffered in this, University even missing a penalty. A reorganised Atlantis side showed some promise. Clarkson showed his adaptability by filling the pivot position excellently. He had fine support from Shuttleworth and T. Ayres. Of the forwards. W. McFarlane and R. Fleming were always formidable in possession, and P. Cassell, on the left flank, showed up in some good moves. University missed Craighead in the forwards, although Feenstra and Blythe showed penetration. J. Averill once again went well at centre half. He had two hard workers, Ferrier and Mahoney, outside him. Garland gave a good display at back. Both Langley and Vogge, the goalkeepers, mdde some good saves. S. McMinn and R. Fleming scored for Atlantis. Referee: Mr J. Davidson. WESTERN V. NOMADS Nomads caused a major surprise at Elmwood Park by drawing with the strong Western team. Western had the better of the game territorially, but good defence by the Nomads backs evened out the advantage. S. Ralph, J. White, P. Cole, and R. Smith once again went well in subsidiary play for Western, but the failure of the spearhead to profit by this suggested that both flank men needed more room to work in and better understand-

ing in a three-man attack. The Western defence, well led by Laffey, was sound. Nomads concentrated on defence and employed fast counter-offensives when the opportunity arose. Here R. Smith, T. Smithson, and P. Royen showed up to advantage, and in intermediate play B. Shaw, J. Cullen, and L. Jesson were always handy when they were wanted. D. Gowans was outstanding on defence and Van Noast gave his best display for some time.

K. Olley (2) and P. Cole scored for Western, and T. Smitheram, B. Shaw, and R. Smith for Nomads. Referee: Mr R. Nakelis.

LOWER GRADES Second Division.—Rangers 2, St Vincent’s 0; Technical 2, Hinemoa 0; Sydenham Rovers 3, City 0. Senior Reserve.—Shamrock 9, Nomads 1. Junior A Grade.—Teachers’, College 7, Shamrock 2; Thistle 8. Technical 1. . Ju , ni ° r „ B Grade.—Canterbury Agricultural College 4, St. Vincent’s 2; Western 7, Nomads 3.

Fourth Grade.—Nomads 6, Western 2; Celtic beat Oriental by default. m Fifth Grade.—City B 2, Western A -0; Technica! A 6, .Technical B 0; Western B 2, Western A 0.

Sixth Grade.—St. Joseph’s 2, Western A 0; Shamrock R 4. Celtic 0; St. Vincent’s 3, Technical 3.

Seventh Grade.—St. Joseph’s 2, Western £ 2 k, Ce V? c 4 - Atlantis 3; City 1, Nomads 0; Atlantis 3, Shamrock 0

Eighth Grade I.—Rangers 7. St. Joseph’s 0: Shamrock R 6. Shamrock A 0. Eighth Grade IT—Raspers 4. Celtic B 1Celtic A 3, City 0; Western A 4, Nomads 0; Shamrock R 3, Western B 0.