SOCCER Canterbury Beats Otago To Retain Jones Cup

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29247, 4 July 1960, Page 7

SOCCER Canterbury Beats Otago To Retain Jones Cup

(From Our Own Reporter)

DUNEDIN, July 3. The Canterbury soccer representatives retained the Jones Cup by beating Otago 5-4 at Dunedin on Saturday. Otago in the early stages controlled the game and only a much improved and determined Canterbury defence in the second half held the formidable Otago forwards at bay. Canterbury’s goalkeeper, J. Callaghan, was reliable, but received little support from the fullbacks, I. Graham and T. Lynch, particularly in the first half. The halfbacks, W. Rodger, D. Simmonds and H. Taylor, were the major contributors to Canterbury’s win. Of the wings A. Verham was the most impressive. Worthington sent many fine crosses and cornerkicks into the centre, but often was caught in possession at vital stages of the game. Wyates and P. Rennell played sound games in the inside forward positions and were originators of some lovely scoring movements. The centre-forward, E. Charlton, played a clever game, but lacked the speed to match Otago’s centre-half, H. Sperandis. in the race for the loose bait Otago’s goalkeeper J. Stephenson lacked the brilliance shown in the first of the season’s games at Christchurch, but was always reliable with his long clearing throws and goal kicks. J. Middleton, although selected for the South Island team, was riot as sound on the day’s play as K. Walkins. P. McFarlane was the best of the Otago half line. Hss distribution and ball control were outstanding. W. Flaus and P. Little were two speedy wings who possessed clever ball control and serviced the inside forwards with many good cross-kicks and passes. Sound defence by Canterbury half-backs was responsible for subduing the Otago inside trio, D. McVey, G. Little and G. Cuthill.

Canterbury scored first. Verham received from Charlton, and sent it on to Worthington who headed past Stephenson. Two goals by W. Flaus gave the home team a 2-1 lead at halftime. Otago went further into the lead early in the second half when G. Little scored from a penalty. Clever combination brought about Canterbury’s second goal. Yates gathered in the ball, raced down-field, passed it to Worthington who sent it on to the eventual scorer, Verham. Otago scored again when McVey goaled from a well-flighted corner kick from Flaus. Indiscriminate kicking by the Otago defenders paved the way for Canterbury’s third goal. Worthington was the scorer this time. Canterbury’s fourth goal was also engineered by Worthington. He sent a comer kick into the goal-mouth, and Rennell was waiting. He passed to Charlton, who deflected into the net. Canterbury scored the winning goal in the closing stages when Rennell scored from a corner kick by Verham. The referee was Mr A. Williams.