ENGLISH SHIELD CHALLENGE Draw Will Be A “Failure”

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31143, 20 August 1966, Page 17

ENGLISH SHIELD CHALLENGE Draw Will Be A “Failure”

The Canterbury soccer team, fresh from its success of holding the Sing Tao Chinese to 1-1, will meet Auckland in a challenge for the English F.A. Trophy at Newmarket Park tomorrow.

However, a draw against the Hong Kong club might rate very highly but a draw against Auckland will not be enough. Only victory will bring the handsome trophy back to Christchurch for the first time since 1958 as Canterbury found last season. Then the team went to Auckland for its first challenge for some years and was held to a 2-2 draw. It was a “failure,” even if a particularly fine one, for Auckland retained the trophy, and it will be a “failure" again tomorrow unless Canterbury can win the match. Both Canterbury and Auckland have had their ups-and-downs this season. Canterbury has beaten two minor associations Nelson and South Canterbury lost to two major opponents—Wellington and Otago—and drawn with Sing Tao. Auckland beat Waikato, lost to Wellington and its own under-23 team, and drew, 3-3, with Sing Tao. Canterbury will not be at full strength for it has not called on any Western players who today will be playing in the South Island Chatham Cup final and G. Griffiths was not available for a Sunday match. Auckland includes three of the Por.sonby team which today will be meeting Miramar Rangers in the North Island Chatham Cup final at Auckland. Whether Canterbury will be [weakened more by the ab■sence of four of the team that held Sing Tao than Auckland will be by fielding three players who will, 24 hours preI viously. have played in a tough cup tie. remains to be iseen tomorrow. ‘ In any case Auckland, at Newmarket Park, is a tough task for any team to take on, more particularly fo- one that has not this season been impressive in the department that will count most tomorrow —the scoring of goals. The selector (Mr V. R. Smith) announced his team with the intention to play 4-3-3. the combination that produced an almost inpenetrable barrier to Sing Tao but was unable to fashion many scoring chances fo. itself. Although changes have been forced D. Spraggs. Griffiths and Haydon are missing from the defence that played against Sing Tao

the nucleus remains and the ability to withstand Auckland’s forwards if the new line-up can quickly settle into its task; But the fact that Auckland was three times able to penetrate the Sing Tao defence indicates that Canterbury’s task tomorrow may be a more difficult one than against the Hong Kong club. Canterbury.— O. Nuttridge: L. Sayers, A. Hawthorn; A. Gowans, G. Donaldson, B. Gowans; T. Conley, W. Yates, R. Taylor, K. France, W. Logan. Auckland. — A. Stroud: C. Latlmour, G. Lake; P. Rennell, W. Hunter, K. Sudlow; G, McCormack or M. Seed. G. Lamont, A. Ormond. R. Mears,. J. Legg.