ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27405, 19 July 1954, Page 13

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

JONES CUP MATCH CANTERBURY BEATS OTAGO The final Jones Cup match of the season was played at English Park on Saturday, , an ™’* :>ur y beating Otago by 4 goals to Z. The earlier game, played at Dunedin, T Va r> awn « 2-all. After the match Mr "• E - Jones, donor of the cup, presented it to A. Laffey, captain of the Canterbury

Otago led 1-0 at the interval, and soon after the resumption of play scored again, canterbury was not long in reducing the deficit, ana a little later scored from a penalty to even the scores. This latter goal appeared to take the edge off Otago’s Play, and until the finish Canterbury dominated the game. Generally, Canterbury gave the better ad-round exhibition, and this was markedly so for the greater part of the second fn i ’ ■ Otago - however, always looked likely in opportunist play, and proved a ° e Pj at making openings, particularly for the flank forwards. Better marksmanship might easily have won the match for Otago. •

Canterbury’s success was not as zclearcut as a territorial advantage and the scores would suggest. J. Stephenson, in goal, was in brilliant form, and with/the Otago defence blanketing the Canterbury forwards, a marksman in C. Banham was found in the halves. Canterbury’s play showed good understanding and cohesion. Langley, in goal, was never at fault. The defence offered by Cullen, Laffey, and Cavanagh was patchy at the commencement, but Improved as the game progressed. The halves, Charlton, Banham, Feenstra, and Saunderson, were the key to the team’s good showing. They showed perfect understanding of each other’s play in possession, and gave the forwards a discriminating and easily controlled supply of the ball. When the occasion warranted it they showed adaptability by moving into the forward line to increase the pressure on the Otago defence. Banham’s two goals came from such moves When the forward line had been blanketed by the Otago defence. The Canterbury forwards all combined well. Feenstra and Saunderson, the inside forwards, gave variety to the attack by taking the wing positions whenever Logan and Gentry * worked infield. Smith, at centre, had his activities restricted, but always exploited every possible scoring chance to the fullest. Gentry, on the right flank, showed up best when he had the room to work in, and Logan made some fast rallies down the left flank.

Otago, like Canterbury, handled the greasy ground excellently. Stephenson, in goal, with more to do than Langley, was in brilliant form, and had little chance of stopping the goals scored against him. Outstanding in the Otago defence was A. Robertson, at centre half. He kept the elusive Smith well in check, and covered his two hard-working full-backs, Naus and Arnold, whenever a breach had been forced on their flanks. R. Clough and W. Westerveld, the flank halves, also played efficiently. The former, in particular, after being out of position in the NorthSouth game, gave a true account of his worth in his accustomed position.

Although Roddy and Warner, the inside forwards, worked hard to preserve possession for the flank forwards, they did not appear to have the understanding their Canterbury counterparts had. The wing men were often clear for a converging run on the goalmouth, but preferred to centre the ball, and Berry had to contend with strong competition from the Canterbury backs. Altogether the line lacked understanding, and this was reflected in the many fine scoring chances which were neglected during the first spell before the Canterbury backs had mastered the greasy going. W. Berry proved to be the player most reliable in possession. His speed, individual cleverness, and powerful shots made him the best attacking player on the ground, and had his flank forwards had the same initiative Otago would have won. The Play The teams were:— Canterbury.—H. Langl«*y; J. Cullen, J. Kavanagh; C. Banham, A. Laffey, D. Charlton; D. Gentry, P. Feenstra, V. Smith, P. Saunderson, W. Lx>gan. Otago.—J. Stephenson; R. Naus, T. Arnold; R. Clough, A. Robertson, W. Westerveld; M. Cross, G. Roddy, W. Berry, J. Warner, A. Patton.

Otago kicked off, and Berry and Warner took play to the Canterbury penalty area before Charlton secured and cleared. After a corner by Gentry for Canterbury Logan placed the ball to Charlton, but Stephenson made a fine save. At the other end Patton. Warner, and Roddy found Langley equally safe. A little later Westerveld placed nicely to Berry, but again Langley saved. A good placement by Banham down the middle was well headed by Smith, but Stephenson made a miraculous save. After a grand solo move by Berry the centre came to J. Warner, who scored.

Clough, Westerveld, and Warner were next associated in a sally, but Charlton saved. Good positional play by Charlton, Banham, and Saunderson let Feenstra in, but Stephenson had the latter’s shot well covered. Otago attacked, but Laffey returned play to Charlton, Who worked in well with Saunderson to give Logan an opening, but the wing’s centre across the goalmouth was not taken, and half-time came with the score: Otago 1, Canterbury On the resumption of play Charlton began the first likely bid. His pass went to Logan and then across to Feenstra. Charlton took the in-pass, and returned it to Feenstra, • but Stephenson saved splendidly. Robertson finally eased the pressure, and Roddy sent Cross away. Cross made ground before sending the ball to Roddy, who gave it to Berry, who scored.

Canterbury attacked strongly, and after A passing movement by V. Smith and C. Banham the latter scored with a perfect angle shot from the edge of the penalty area. A few minutes later Canterbury was awarded a penalty, and V. Smith ■made no mistake. Canterbury took the initiative, Banham scoring the easiest of goals when a rather slow shot went through a ruck of players into the goal. Canterbury maintained the pressure, and after good play by Feenstra and Saunderson, Smith gave Stephenson no chance. Otago made a determined <. bid, but the defence held. Referee: Mr T. Mathie.

CLUBS ATTEND JUBILEE CHURCH PARADE A golden jubilee church parade for club members of the Canterbury Football Association was held at the Durham Street Methodist Church yesterday. Sixty or 70 members paraded from Cranmer square to this service. The minister of the church (the Rev. A. K. Fetch) preached on sportsmanship and the art of enjoying life. Lessons were read by the president of the association (Mr M. A. Gordon) and by a member of the management committee, Mr J. McGuigan. Roman Catholic Service The three Roman Catholic clubs attended the 8 o’clock mass at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament. About 100 officials and players were present, and some of them assisted at the mass. The visitors were welcomed by the administrator of the cathedral (the Very Rev. T. J. Liddy). After the service they attended a special breakfast. at the Hibernian Hall. The chairmap was Mr P. J. Taylor, president of the ‘Shamrock Club, and the guests were the Rev. J. A. Cahill (representing Bishop Joyce), Mr Gordon, and the secretary of the association (Mr T. M. McGuigan).

D. KENDRICK UNABLE TO TOUR AUSTRALIA (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, July 18. . The chairman of the New Zealand Association football team selection committee (Mr J. G. Shankie) announced in Wellington today that D. Kendrick (Auckland) had withdrawn from the New Zealand team to tour Australia, and G. Barker (Auckland) had been selected in his place. Kendrick was severely injured in a leg while playing for Auckland against the Navy on Saturday.

GAMES IN OTHER CENTRES Auckland.—Auckland 2, Navy 2; Ponsonby 5, Eastern Suburbs 2; Onehunga 3, Eden 0. Wellington.—Chatham Cup.—Semi-finals: Hospital 2, Seatoun 1; Stop Out 2, University 0.