Soccer Wings Will Be On Trial Today

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31071, 28 May 1966, Page 15

Soccer Wings Will Be On Trial Today

CANTERBURY’S senior soccer selector, Mr V. R. Smith, will take a final look around the province today before announcing his team to play the first leg of the Gordon Cup against Wellington next Saturday. On the strength of past perform-

Voluntary exercises ofi the broad beam being performed by three girls. They are, from left, Vickie Hepburn (Christchurch Girls’ High School), Jeanette Railton (Avonside Girls’ High School) and Linda Blaikie (New Brighton Central).

Below: It looks very simple, but it is a most demanding exercise. Heather Johnston (Burnside High School) performing a lateral splits.

ances, and in particular the 6-0 victory over Nelson on Easter Monday, it would seem that only three positions will cause him undue concern the two wings and the right back.

One of these has been forced upon him because the Technical right-back, L. Sayers, is to be married next week-end and therefore will not be available for selection. However, the choice of wings has been an underlying problem in team selection for the last two years, and the many switches have not brought about a lasting solution.

Because they currently hold the positions and because they have done nothing to warrant being dropped, eight players pick themselves: O. Nuttridge, in goal, A. Hawthorn, leftback, A. Cowans, G. Griffiths and B. Cowans, the three half-backs, and T. Conley, J. Logue and R. Taylor, the three inside forwards.

These eight are now tested players with the experience and the ability to fit into any pattern of play decided on by Mr Smith and the chief coach, Mr R. C. Carter. They showed the mature understanding expected from them at Nelson and in club matches so far this season have generally been outstanding. The selection of the rightback to replace Sayers should cause less concern than the choice of the two wings. These are two leading candidates, A. Westwood, of City, and R. Binns, of Rangers both strong players with considerable experience. There are also the two H. 5.0.8. backs, A. McAlpine and P. Coman, and the Shamrock defender, R. Kerr. Nor should P. Frost, of Western, be lightly dismissed. The net can be thrown even ttider, to bring in W.

McKenna (City). G. Davis (New Brighton) and T. Mann (Western). Not one of these would disgrace a Canterbury team. But only one player can be selected, and the strongest candidate must be Binns. He could not be faulted when playing for the President's XI against the Canterbury team and in a shaky defence he has been outstanding. The two wings at Nelson were C. Jones (Technical) and C. Martin (Western); their rivals in the trial teams were D. Glubb (Shamrock) and N. McAlpine (H. 5.0.8. On the score of aggressive power in front of goal Martin has a definite advantage over the others. Unfortunately, Martin too often spoils his chances by his inability to pick the right time to hold the ball and the right time to pass it. Yet there is no denying that his powerful shooting and his speed are match-winning qualities when they are directed along the right lines. Jones, 100, can beat any goal-keeper and he can move fast, but his play lacks the fire and bite of Martin’s at its best. Glubb and McAlpine have both had their share of successes in club games this season but neither as yet impresses as the answers to Canterbury's wing problems The H. 5.0.8. centre-for-ward, C. Hicks, Is another candidate, for he has played many times on the wing and he has shown the striking power and the stamina to worry defenders of alt class. The Western leftwing, A. Brooks, won a place in the trial teams, but Brooks has not impressed on the wing for his club and played his best game of the season at inside-left against Shamrock last week. On the strength of his play against Shamrock the world tourist, D. Torkington, must also come back into the reckoning. and it is significant that of all the players mentioned only McAlpine, Brooks and Torkington are specialist left wings.

The final solution to the wing positions may be found today. McAlpine, Hicks, Torkington and Martin will be in opposition when Western meets H. 5.0.8. in the main game at English Park; Glubb and Jones will oppose each other in the early match between Shamrock and Technical. There is not much doubt that Mr Smith will be watching them all very closely: from them will come the two wings to play against Wellington.