REPRESENTATIVE SOCCER MATCH TODAY

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28896, 16 May 1959, Page 5

REPRESENTATIVE SOCCER MATCH TODAY

rpHE Canterbury representative Soccer team should give a good account of itself in the first of the two matches for the Gordon Cup to be played at the Basin Reserve, Wellington, today. Mr W. Carruthers, the sole selector, has chosen a wellbalanced side which, he has said, should give a workmanlike display. Mr Carruthers has had only a few weeks in which to sort out his players, and he admits that there could be weaknesses, but it must be generally agreed that there are few players who could count themselves unlucky to miss selection. The representative squad has been training intensively for three weeks under the direction of the official coach, Mr F. Haydon, and a fit and keen Canterbury team will be taking the field this afternoon.

The capabilities of Canterbury’s goal keeper, J. Callaghan, are well known, and a good showing in this season’s representative fixtures could earn him national honours. Callaghan has been in good form so far this

full-backs, M. Shardlow and I. Graham, are young players who have been prominent in club football this season. Shardlow has been faulted in the past, but his form in club matches this year has shown a big improvement. Graham is centre-half for his club (Nomads) and is a sound defensive player who should do well. At centre-half is the team captain, A. Laffey, who has given Canterbury and New Zealand excellent service in the past. Wing Halves The wing halves are W. Rodger and H. Taylor, both of whom are solid, constructive footballers with the ability to open up play. Taylor is a young player making his first appearance for the Canterbury senior team, and his form will be watched with interest. The selection of the inside forwards must have been difficult, but the final choice of P. Rennell and P. Feenstra seems the logical one. Rennell, in the trial matches, has teamed up well with his outside, D. Worthington, and Feenstra is a clubmate of C. Steele, who will play outside him this afternoon. Feenstra and Rennell are clever footballers and are quick to shoot when given the opportunity. Good Form At outside left, Worthington has been in grand form this season and he should be a headache to the Wellington defenders. Steele began this year indifferently but in last Saturday’s Chatham Cup match with City he showed the dash that has earned him national honours on many occasions.

Much of Canterbury’s success must hinge on the performance of the centre forward A. van Rooyen. Although an inside forward, van Rooyen is a versatile footballer with a wealth of talent and the ability to shoot powerfully with either foot. If he can elude his marker, Wellington could be in trouble. New Players The Wellington team includes several new players one of whom is the goalkeeper, K. Berry. Berry has gained inclusion at the expense of such experienced custodians as P. Whiting and K. Lander. The full-backs will be the experienced G. McClelland and another new player in B. Howell. Last season’s centre half B. Fletcher is not available owing to injury and his position will be taken by W. Fraser, who played one or two representative matches last season. The former New Zealand winghalf, J. Warrender, is not available and W. Lisk

auie ana w. has been moved from left to right half to fill the gap. D. Charlton comes into the team as left half and from all ac- ; counts the former; Canterbury and i New Zealand cap- I tain has been on top form in Wei-; lington club football.

The only newcomer in the forward line is J. Bell, who will play at outside right. On the opposite flank will be the experienced T. McCabe, whose form this year is reported to be unimpressive. Seatoun Players Mr A. Longbottom, the Wellington selector, has included the Seatoun inside forward trio of R. Kearns, J. Donovan and R. Reid. Kearns is another New Zealand player, but his current form is suspect. A Schryvers, the centre forward last season, is not available owing to a knee injury, but Donovan should fill the gap well. He will be remembered for his excellent display in the Chatham Cup Final last season against Christchurch City. Donovan scores heavily in club football and will require close marking. Reid has also represented New Zealand and is a strong young player with a formidable reputation. Mr Longbottom stated recently that his team was selected more for trial purposes than for hard representative play and that it is too early in the season for players to be prepared for a serious representative fixture. Although little is known about the new Wellington players it seems likely that Canterbury must have an excellent chance of winning the first representative match of the season.