CHATHAM CUP MATCH TODAY

Press, Volume C, Issue 29572, 22 July 1961, Page 9

CHATHAM CUP MATCH TODAY

GpHE Western soccer team A will have a good chance of qualifying for the South Island final of the national Chatham Cup inter-club competition when it meets Nelson Thistle at English Park this afternoon. The winner of this match will meet Northern (Dunedin) at Dunedin 'bn August 5.

The national final will be played in Wellington on August 26 between the winner of that match and the winner of the North Island semi-final between North Shore (Auckland), the champion, and Wellington’s Miramar Rangers. Western this season is a good combination which, notwithstanding several surprise losses in Hurley Shield matches, has come through its Chatham Cup fixtures in fine style.

Western’s new-look forward line with the right-half P. Frost playing centre-for-ward and the centre-half W. McKenna on the left wing, is settling down into a good scoring unit. Nelson Thistle has a good record in its own competitions, and the side includes eight who have appeared in the Nelson representative team. While this team would not ordinarily be expected to beat Western, the heavy ground conditions which will certainly obtain at English Park today will level out any difference in ability between the two sides.

Cup football is notorious for its upsets, and if some of the lesser teams do not cause surprises it is a poor competition. For this reason Western will have to keep on its toes this afternoon.