ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27986, 5 June 1956, Page 8

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

OVERSEAS BEATS NEW ZEALAND TEAM

MARGIN OF FIVE GOALS

In spite of the bad weather spectators filled the stand at English Park yesterday afternoon to see an overseasborn team and a New Zealand-born team plav good football, even though the conditions were against them. Considering the slushy ground and the heavy slippery ball, both teams did extremely well, but the overseas team, imposed of more seasoned and experienced players proved too good for the New Zealanders and won by 7 goals to 2. Overseas was stronger on attack, but it was in the defence that it showed real superiority. Poor positional play by the New Zealand backs gave Overseas many chances. At full-back for Overseas were F. Bradley and M. Dean. Usually the New Zealand attacks broke down when they met this pair, assisted by the centre-half. C. Durham, but after this trio, the attackers still had to beat H. Botterman in goal, and that was not easy Flank halves were the wily J. Longmuir and dependable I. Drewitt, who both played well. W. Shannon, outside left, profited most by the poor marking by. the defenders, and he made some good runs down the sideline. which he capped with well-placed centres. On the other wing was T. Parker, seldom seen at English Park and he impressed with his heady runs. Inside were A. van Rooyen, K. Olley and R. Campfens. Olley played his best game of the season and van Rooyen responded to the brilliant company he was in. In goal for New Zealand was J Callaghan and the fast-moving, hardshooting overseas forwards gave him plenty of work. Those that got past him were difficult shots. J. Adams and J. Hooper were full-backs in the first spell without C. Spinks at centre-half. In the second spell Spinks and Hooper changed places, and this strengthened the defence. P. Fletcher and D. Simmonds were flank halves. Both played °ood games, but Fletcher appeared the stronger on the day. E. Fields at outside left, did some useful work, and his opposite, P. Rennell. settled down and showed up better in the

second half. Centre-forward was D Fnnis. with J. White and V. Smith as the inside forwards. They worked together nuite well, but their attacks lacked the fire of their opponents. The Play After 10 minutes of play. Overseas opened the scoring when Olley slipped p pass through to Van Rooyen, who sent in a rising shot to the corner of the net. Mishandling by Calligan gave Van Rooyen another chance, and he made no mistake New Zealand had Overseas defending strenuously for a while and Botterman did well to reach a lofted shot from Rennell. With 30 minutes gone, Olley nassed to Shannon, who ran in unopposed to beat Calligan with a beautiful shot that went in off the crossbar. The Van Rooyen-Olley combination won its way past the New Zealand defenders again and this time it was Olley who added the finishing touch, to bring the half-time score to 4-0. New Zealand scored its first goal early in the second half. A copybook movement took play the length of the field, and Ennis passed to Rennell, who scored.

Overseas went further ahead when Olley headed in a nicely-placed centre by Shannon. Fletcher made a good run and lust as it seemed he would go through himself, he tapped the ball to Fields who sent across to Rennell. His shot gave Botterman no chance. A poor kick m front of goal by Spinks left Van Rboyen m possession, and he slipped- it past the goalkeeper with a well-placed shot. As if the Overseas’ score was not large enough. White made them a present of a goal when he kicked back to his goalie. Callaghan was not ready for this, and the ball flew merrily into the net. The referee was Mr L. Holland. CANTERBURY v. MID-CANTERBURY A Canterbury eleven composed mainly of second division players beat the MidCanterbury team in the early game at English Park yesterday by 7 goals to 1. me Canterbury men played exceptionally well adapting themselves to the wet, slushy conditions better than their opponents. In the forward line Canterbury ‘had more thrust and was able to carry movements through to the goalmouth. Mid-Canterbury impressed with its attempt to play a short passing game, but L sI ° w ground was against this, and the light flicks and taps at the ball did not carry it far enough or fast enough. MidCanterbury gave the impression of trying to play the same game as it would on a dry ground. Canterbury was fortunate in having such a strong forward line. A. Codyre, at centre forward, was outstanding. He frequently gave the defenders the slip and showed wonderful speed and control under difficult conditions. I. Weir, outside right, and P. Taylor inside him also played good football. The Canterbury halves were not impressive, but V. Van der Spik, at centre, controlled the baL well in passing. Canterbury defenders did not have the work of their opposites, t “ ey were more than a match for the Mid-Canterbury forwards. R. Yates, centre forward for MidCanterbury, made the most of limited chances. A. Alkemade, inside right, proved himself a toiler, and G. Gielingh sent over some good centres from the D - Hlck man, A. Yarnold, and R. Williams were hard-working halves, and R. Imrie and P. Wouters had a busy day trying to stem the vigorous Canterburv forwards E. Chmiel had an unenviable time in goal trying to keep Canterbury’s shots out m driving rain. Opening exchanges were even, with both sides sharing the attack. Mid-Can-terbury was combining well, but lacked penetration near the goalmouth. Canterbury made some fast moves downfield and was controlling the heavy ball well Gordon made the first goal for Canterbury with a long centring kick over the heads of the full-backs. His inside men raced through and from the ensuing melee m front of goal Taylor scored. A minute or two later another Canterbury Tush ended with Taylor scoring again. 2-0. Codyre, with a beautiful dodging run, beat the defence and passed to Trotter. who sent in a rising shot under the bar Just before the spell, the Ashburton centre forward, Yates, worked his wav into a scoring position, but his shot went wide. Gordon put Codyre in possession u- front of goal, and his shot was fisted the bar by Chmiel. Mid-Canterbury came away strongly mjer the spell, and a good centre bv Gielingh found Yates in position, and Donnelly had to dive to deflect his shot outside the posts. After a spell on defence Canterbury returned to the attack, and Codyre threaded his way through and found the net. Trotter, Codyre. and Taylor worked together for the next goal. Taylor netting. A few minutes later weirs nicely placed corner kick was headed m by Codyre. The final goal came Gordon’s boot with a long shot The referee was Mr L. Grey.

WELLINGTON BEATS

CANTERBURY

7-1 VICTORY IN GORDON CUP (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, June 4. fn representative Soccer matches in Wellington today Wellington beat Canterbury in the annual Queen’s Birthday Gordon Cup match. 7-1, and Wellington B beat Manawatu, 8-2. Wellington made better use of the strong southerly wind than Canterbury, scoring six goals with the wind in the first spell.

Wellington B appeared to have too much experience for Manawatu.

SOUTHLAND BEATEN BY OTAGO (New Zealand Press Association) DUNEDIN, June 4. Otago’s Association football team beat Southland today for the Keach Cup in a fine game. Southland played superior football, but J. Stephenson, in goal for Otago, was in brilliant form and made many fine saves. The scorers for Otago were Forbes. Little (2). Canadzitch, and Grob, and for Southland McMurdo and Kellock. Otago won the junior Wembley Cup match, 1-0.