SOCCER Western In South Island Cup Final

Press, Volume C, Issue 29573, 24 July 1961, Page 14

SOCCER Western In South Island Cup Final

Western entered the South Island final of the Chatham Cup soccer competition on Saturday by beating Nelson Thistle in an unimaginative game at Burwood Park. The ground was far too rough for cup soccer, but the final score of 6-2 was a good indication of the merits of the two sides.

The Western coach (Mr G. Smith) could not have been happy with the showing of his team for the first three-quarters of the match. Down 2-0 at half-time, and also well into the second spell. Western did not look like a cupwinning side. In the last 15 minutes the players came to life with some good goals.

The teams were:— Western—D. Smith: M. Shardelow. I. Laby; R. Durant. K. Clark. W. Rodger: W. McKenna, K. CHley. P. Frost, D. Torkington, B. Newsome. Nelson Thistle.—P. Carty: J. Zerface, M. White; V. Clarke, G. Smith, T. Gordon: D. Watson. G. Button, R. Mcßride, W. Kenzie, I. Button.

Ground play was virtually impossible under the conditions, and Thistle realised this early in the match. Thistle's placing of the ball in the air, and in the direction of the Western goal, paid good dividends when combined with fast fol-lowing-up by the forwards. In contrast Western continually lost possession by attempting ground placements. In the final quarter Western adopted Thistle's tactics of hoisting the ball into the air over the penalty area, and goals came thick and fast. Most of the game was in the Thistle half, and it was incredibly - poor shooting by experienced players which kept the home side from scoring for a long period. Shot after shot soared over the top of the net. and the Thistle goal-keeper, Carty, had no trouble in making saves on other occasions when the ball was hit right into his arms. Strong Half-backs Zerface and White were adequate on defence for Thistle, but the real strength of the visiting side’s rearguard was in the half-back line. The rangy Smith was the best. He continually harrassed Frost until that experienced player must have despaired of ever being able to hit the ball towards the goal. Clarke and Gordon kept a close eye on the Western side men. In the Thistle forward line the best was the outside-left, Watson. A young player with plenty of football ability, Watson scored bis side’s two goals in a manner worthy of an international. For his first he took a long ball on the wing and moved infield into a perfect scooting position before netting. Many would have booted from too far out. Thistle’s second goal came wihen a free kick loffed the ball into the Western goalmouth. There spectators saw no less: than five Thistle players confronting the Western custodian, Smith. It was Watson who coolly nodded the ball into the back of the net.

The Western defenders for the most part had an easy match, but to Laby must go much of the credit for his team's recovery in the later stages. He sent some very good balls down to Newsdme. and the wing sparked off some dangerous movements. Rodger had his best match of the season, and showed much of the form which brought him national honours last year. Unnecessarily rough on occasions, Rodger nevertheless showed ability in tackling and passing. Olley did not have a good match, and on the other side Torkington was rarely in the picture. Like Olley. Frost frequently saw his passes go astray over the bumpy ground, and his shooting for goal was very poor Newsome was the better of the wings, more constructive and showing good positional play.

Goals for Western were scored by Newsome, Rodger, McKenna, Frost. Torkington and Durant (penalty). Watson scored two goals for Thistle.

Mr W. Bamberry (Dunedin) was the referee.