SOCCER YOUTH Standard looks better in all grades

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33873, 19 June 1975, Page 22

SOCCER YOUTH Standard looks better in all grades

The season continues with some very exciting, keen games, and an improvement in standard is evident in all grades.

But there are still too many boys who are not thinking their football—“reading the game”—and too many who cannot meet the ball with either foot.

A good player should be able to shoot or distribute the ball to a team-mate without having to turn around to get it on to his “best” foot. There is a coaching skills certificate available from the Junior Coaching Association (Ivan Steer, chairman) for all boys in junior football. They can be earned by any boy who reaches the required proficiency in skill standards. Boys interested should approach their coaches. At the English Park game of Canterbury versus Glasgow Rangers we had the first six-a-side game played by juniors for many years. The teams were made up from boys drawn from the four section I fourteenth grade teams, Burndale, Rangers, Shamrock, and Christchurch United, and the boys were: B. Crisp, S. Fletcher, J. Home, P. Pitt, G. Hughes, D. Kerr, J. Maguire, A. Smith, M. Stead, G. Saunderson, A. Wooding. Reserves: E. Reiser and F. de Ruyter. The referees, from the C.J.R.A., was an all-female line-up, being referee, Lyn Ferris and lineswomen Karen 'Seeley and Lesley Gibbs.

After the match the boys were the ball-boys for the main game. Some of the province’s leading players are now involved in Canterbury representative trials and in the later stages of “The Press” annual penalty-kicking competition, and the results of some of these should be known soon. More than 500 boys are candidates for the provincial teams—a tremendous task for the selectors concerned. Queen’s Birthday week-end Saturday started a fine weekend of soccer for two young ninth grade boys-—Robbie Lloyd and Warwick Winn. It was unfortunate for Technical that it found Christchurch United in such good form. Warwick got his hat-trick, two of his goals coming from well-placed crosses by Robbie Lloyd. The other came from a centre, after a long run down the wing by Paul Gray, who also later got his first goal of the season with a welltaken shot. This grand team effort moved United to equal first place in their grade. Monday morning saw Warwick and Robbie playing again, and helping their Town 'side to a 2-0 win over Country. A comment from their coach—“Oh for their energy.’’ In their 1-all draw. Nomads iand Hornby’s A teams in the 'eighth grade kept up their i record of producing unusual 'goals. Nomads scored first when a striker got past the outstretched Hornby goalie. A Hornby full-back dashed in and fell on the ball just as it passed over the line. An own goal—or not? Then it was Hornby s turn. From the only comer against the Nomads goal the ball hit the top of the crossbar, did an unusual bounce, and spun down into the Nomads’ goalkeeper’s hands. But in his surprise the ball bounced out and dropped behind his own line. . . , In an exciting and hardI fought Section 4 match of I the eighth grade. United ieventually ran out comfort'able 2-0 winners over Riccarton at Hagley Oval. ; The first half was very even, with neither side being able to score. However, shortly after half time. United began to exert pressure on the Riccarton goal, with the i result that Phillip Stokoe, i playing a forceful game,

scored his first goal midway through the spell. He put the game beyond doubt with his second shortly after. For the United defence. Hunter Thomas broke up many promising Riccarton attacks. Leslie Campbell tried hard for Riccarton, and their goalie showed considerable courage and confidence. Rangiora A defeated Halswell A 2-0 in an eighth grade section 2 match. Allister Wallace scored both Rangiora’s goals and was always dangerous with the ball. Other Rangiora boys to play well were C. Miller, C. Cowperthwaite, and W. Ijunh. For Halswell, G. Lewis, B. Hoe, and M. Newell, in goal, were impressive. In yet another eighth grade match (section 4), Nomads C 'beat Rangiora B. 3-0. iNomads, who had a definite iheight and weight advantage, I were on attack for most of the match, and their goals were scored by D. Thomson, A. Turner, and M. Donaldson. For Nomads, Thomson stood out, and for Rangiora, C. out, and for Rangiora, C. Horne, R. Foster, and M. Gabbie tried very hard In a top section one clash in the 14th grade at Cuthjberts Green, Shamrock and ißangers provided an excitiing match, although control is often verv difficult on the 'surface of fhis ground. I The match started at a I furious pace, and the unibeaten Rangers team was set back when 'Grant Hughes scored two fine 'goals in the space of 10 minutes. Rangers began to apply steady pressure, and Eric Reiser scored after a 40-yard run. Another goal to Rangers just before half time by Terry Mitchell assured the 'spectators of a thrilling 'second half. And so it was. Both sides had many opportunities to score, but .fine goalkeeping and unrelenting defence kept the score 'level until an unfortunate error by the Shamrock goalkeeper. Brent Isherwood, allowed Rangers to take the lead, and thev kept it until the final whistle. Tins was a very fine game, with S. Fletcher, B. Clarke, 'J. Home, and G. Hughes outstanding for Shamrock, and R. Reitveld, G. Saunderson, J. Maguire, and P. 'Thompson doing good work I for Rangers.