ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27636, 18 April 1955, Page 7

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

HURLEY SHIELD MATCHES

THISTLE BEATS NOMADS Conditions were ideal for the firstround matches of the Canterbury Football Association’s Hurley Shield competition on Saturday. Although Western’s win over University, the promoted second division side, was one sided, the two games at English Park were every even. In the early match fortune favoured Thistle, which beat Nomads 4-3. The main game between Technical and Shamrock resulted in a draw, one all. Western beat University 9-0 at Elmwood Park. Results:— Technical Old Boys 1, Shamrock 1. Thistle 4, Nomads 3. Western 9, University 0. TECHNICAL V. SHAMROCK

For the opening match of the season both Technical and Shamrock provided sparkling fare, and clearly showed that they had been well prepared for the present season. Weaknesses were apparent, but not until the concluding stages, when the effects of the earlier pace were beginning to be felt. Technical began rather uncertainly with the new members. Van Dolsen, Charlton, and Banham, feeling for their place in the combination. As each found his niche the team worked more smoothly, and with V. Smith and A. Gardenbroek due to appear shortly. Technical should be one of the best teams in the competition. L. McKenzie, in goal, gave his usual steady display, and ahead of him Dean and Gibson put in sterling work in throwing back determined Shamrock thrusts. Ban ham’s value to the Technical ,side was well shown In tha second spell, when from right half he ruled the midfield position. His passes were excellently placed and allowed little room for interception.

Charlton, at inside right, was hardly impressive in the opening stages, but as the game progressed his link with his centre right wing and intermediates improved. On this later form he may well prove to be a potential Canterbury representative. Van Dolsen, at centre, received few opportunities, but given the room to work in he showed both pace and a hard drive. W. Logan was the pick of the wing men, neither of whom placed the ball to the centre with much accuracy. After excellent form last season Shamrock looks like doing even better this season. Apart from the forward line, where the redoubtable E. Fields is available, there appear to be few weaknesses. 2° -defence Campion certainly had trouble with the speedy Logan, but Fletcher, Flynn, and Durant were always handy to block the thrust and return Play.

J. Price and B. Newsome gave Shamrock the two best forwards on the field. Newsome, at outside left, has hardly been seen to better advantage, and •Price, inside him, gave a perfect exhibition of personal thrust and positional play. T. Charlton scored from a penalty for Technical in the first half, and J. Price evened for Shamrock during the second spell.

Referee: Mr L. Tointon. THISTLE V. NOMADS Many new faces were seen in the early match at English Park between Thistle and Nomads. Nomads plumped for youth, but Thistle’s team appeared more experienced, and on the day this proved the winning factor. Since last season Thistle has lost six of its best players to other clubs and has received only one in return, N. Wheeler, an excellent full-back from Atlantis. However, in the meantime new arrivals have built up the ream into a useful combination which should improve as the season progresses. Thistle recognised its limitations early against Nomads, and decided that defence was the best form of attack. Here its best movements began near to its own goal area, and in G. McAnulty It had an outstanding general to guide them to a successful conclusion. In conjunction with M: Anility, E. Speake, at centre forward, or* time Canterbury centre half, distinguished his return to the senior grade with three excellent goals. Thistle’s new men all worked hard/ J. Donelly, in goal, was well sheltered by Wheeler, A. McAnulty, and J. Kay, the full-backs, and Mitchell and Watt teamed well in the intermediate line.

Nomads saw more of the ball in the first spell and was unlucky to be behind at the interval. However, the side suffered from lack of experience and failure to obey safety first measures under pressure, and Thistle was quick to take advantage of these weaknesses.

After the interval, with possession more equally divided. Nomads wings and centre seldom look'd like -forcing home a thrust without the close support of the two inside forwards. The side’s main strength was in the mid-field players, A. van Rooyen and B. Shaw, inside forwards, and F. Wright and J. CuHen, flank halves.

A. Stevens in goal mixed good keeping with uncertainty, and came in for much punishment as a result. T. Graham, centre-half, and D. Bond, left full-back, both spoiled excellent displays by risky in-field play under pressure. J. McCaHum was the better of the flank forwards, but his kicks to the centre were not powerful enough. E. Speake (3) and G. McAnulty scored for Thistle and A. van Rooyen (2) and I. McCallum for Nomads. Referee: Mr C. Anderson. WESTERN v. UNIVERSITY Western was too good for the promoted University side at Elmwood Park and won bya convincing margin. Western took the initiative from the start and held it throughout. Even allowing for the weak opposition, the side again appears to be the favourite for the championship. Good positional paly backed by accurately placed passes ensured a greater share of possession and gave the scoring forwards every opportunity of displaying the accuracy of their marksmanship. Here J. White, backed by two hard-working supports in Longmuir and Olley, letfew scoring opportunities pass. University was without its two best backs of last season, Averill l and Duckworth, and their absence was seriously felt against the fast moving Western van. Langley, Smith, Peters, and Feenstra worked hard on defence, and Mahommed and Kirdemelitis looked the most likely during counter-attacks. J. White (5), J. Saunderson (3), and D. Lilley scored for Western. Referee: Mr T. Gottermeyer.

LOWER GRADES

Second Division.—Christchurch City 10, Atlantis 0; Neerlandia 3, Rangers 1; Port Monrteal 3, Wigram 1. Senior Reserve.—University 1, Burnham 1; Thistle 4, Technical 2; Western 8, Christchurch City 1. Senior Reserve ll.—Thistle 2» Techaical

College 2; Shamrock beat Rangers by default. Junior Grade.—Shamrock 5, Thistle 3; Western 9, Nomads 2. Junior Grade ll.—Boys' High School 9, Technical 3; Christchurch City 2, University