SOCCER NOTES

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 193, 10 May 1924, Page 19

SOCCER NOTES

(By

"Goalie.”).

The second meeting of the Special Service Squadron and Wellington representative teams on the Soccer field was looked forward to with very keen interest indeed. Although defeated by a margin of two goals in the first game, the Navy men gave an exceptionally good exhibition of the c °de, and many little touches of play, which were characteristic of first division players at Home. These breaks away from the stereotyped or book form of football can best ba described as style. Play which is wanting in style, besides being unattractive to the spectators, has the disadvantage that opponents soon become conversant with what each will do in a given situation. This quality of style, which the. Navy men infused into their play, is one which players in this corner of the Empire would do well to emulate. No doubts were held on this point by even the most stubborn of Wellington s partisans on the conclusion of the contest between the Navy and Wellington last Saturday at the Basin Reserve. The word contest in its fullest meaning could be truthfully applied to this match. From tho kick-off until tho final whistle there was always something to hold the interest. There was no fading away, both teams battling hard for supremacy right to the last kick. The opening stages of the game were not bv any means in Wellington’s favour. In a fair and properly ballanced estimate of the position, the fact that Wellington was playing against a strong southerly must be taken into consideration. Two goals were scored against them in the first fifteen minutes. It was enough to take the sting out of any team. Many weakkneed enthusiasts who did not fully realise tho capabilities of the Wellington combination, were inclined to the view that the match was as good as tue Navy’s. .On the playing field that attitude was not taken up by the chosen of the province. They certainly were up agaijist it. but by a determined defence the Blacks were able to prevent further goals being scored against them in the first half. Rv half-time Wellington had made up the leeway of two goals, which brought them on level terms with the representatives of the Special Service Squadron. It was a fine achievement, and one which any team might be proud of. Although tho scores at halftime wore two all, play had been mostly in Wellington territory. Tho Navy realised the importance of making as much headway as possible while they had tho wind in their favour. Ono feature of the Navvmen’s plav in the first forty-five minutes was their excellent judgment in allowing for the wind. The flag-kicks of Skinner, the Navy outside-left, were marvellously accurate. If the first half was the Navy’s, the second . was . Wellington’s. With the wind in their favour the Blacks eagerly fought for a lead. Twice they led by one goal, only to *** brought to level terms again. Although the ground was heavy, and would have taxed the fittest, both teams kept a fast pace going. Tho excitement was immense when Wilson, tho Navy centre-half, equalised, and made the scores 4 each. The climax was reached when it was only a matter of minutes from tho final whistle. L._ R._ Smith, who had been given a trial in goal, will have no regrets when ho looks, back on this game. It was an unenviable position in which Smith was placed as the result of a breach of tho. rules against a Wellington player in the penalty area. A penalty shot is always looked upon as almost a certain goal. It was only a matter of minutes to time, with the score at four goals each, when the penalty was awarded against Wellington. Could there bo a situation of greater moment to a goal-keeper? The honour of taking the kick was given to Cox, but he failed to give his side victory which was within reach. The ball went straight to Smith, who gathered the ground shot without much difficulty and cleared as the whistle blew to end ninety minutes of play equal, if not surpassing, to any that has been seen on the Basin Reserve. . The Navy team on this second ineet-

ing was a considerably stronger one that that which Wellington defeated tho previous week. The most notable change was in tho half-back line, which comprised fresh players. Wilson, the pivot, was certainly a centrehalf of no mean ability; while his wing men could generally be depended on. Cope and Burke as in the first match were easily the mainstay of the Navy team. The duty of repelling Wellington attacks did not rest so heavily on this pair last Saturday, because of the greater assistance rendered. them by the halves. Tho combination by the Navy forwards was good, but at. times gained little ground through hesitancy. Mullet, who had been given Parson’s place in goal, acquitted himself well, especially in tho second half, when Wellington were more often on the offensive than on tho defensive. Taken all round tho Navy team was a good side from which many profitable lessons could bo learnt.

The Wellington team contained four players who had not taken part in the first meeting. L. R. Smith, in goal, as already mentioned, had prominence tlirust upon him which meant everything to Wellington. He filled the important position with credit. Of the backs Gibb had the bulk of the work to do, Taylor failing to reproduce anything like his best form. McKee, of the halves, was very efficient as a centre and showed up exceedingly well in his first representative game. The wing halves, Rarity and Thomas, worked hard and saw to it that the wing forwards got the chance to break through. Rarity had a strong wing opposed to him, which accounted for his inability to check attacks as often as Thomas. The forwards were well balanced but there was still a weakness on tho right wing. Campbell was partnered by Patterson in place of his clubmate. Ballard. Campbell was the outstanding forward, not so much by the actual scoring of goals, but by the manner in which he drew tho defence to give Lothian the opportunity to put on the finishing touches. Lothian, at centre, justified his selection. He was a great worker, and will undoubtedly have to be considered in future representative matches. Our visitors are clean sportsmen and showed us many points in Association football which coaches could, with advantage to their, charge, take note of. The Special Service Squadron will have left Wellington by the time these notes appear in print, so we wish them Au Rovoir. Y.M.C.A. lowered, tho colours of last year’s champions on Saturday last. The match wah played under wretched conditions, a gale of wind blowing right across tho ground, making good football impossible. Neither team therefore played up to standard. Y.M.C.A. proved to bo tho strongest kickers, and thereby won tho game.. Watorsidlors tried a new back in Watts, a newcomer to tho game, and whether out of condition or what, ho certainly was not ' a Jackson. Y.M.C.A. soon picked out the weak spot, and by persistently playing on that spot Watts eventually miskicked, and gave Phillips a gift goal. For Y.M.C.A.. Tarrant had little to do. McGirr played a great game, and his hard kicking always gained a lot of ground for his side. Trott and McArthur did excellent work at half, and Ballard, although well watched by Case, played well, and was the most

brainy player in the Y.M. forward Porteous. liWe his vis-a-vis, had little to do. Ingham was, as usual, sound as a bell. He is a great back, and compares favourably with any in M eilington. The veteran Rowlands shaped well. Case is good, and is a very hard worlper, and. after a few more games will be at the top of his form. Irvine as usual played a good game, but hung on to the ball too long at times. Dickinson is going to be a great centre when his inside men understand him. He has been used to inside men that keep their positions, and a lot ot his fine touches went astray, through that fault on Saturday. Nicholl, m the first half, was always dangerous, but it took a very strong kick to get across to the goal mouth. He only got a couple of kicks in the second half, and nearly scored once. One does not like to criticise th® referees, writes “Old Hana, but to be candid the sample we have had so far is going to do the game no good. Last Saturday some of the decisions were “chronic.” On one occasion a player fell, and while on the ground he puTlril the ball to him and was not penalised, and soon after another of his clubmates fell, and the ball lodged) between his arm and his Body, and he rolled right over with it in that position, and even then he was let off. But soon after an opposing player was unfortunate enough to stop a hard drive with his stomach, and the ball rebounding, struck his arm, and the whistle sounded instantly. Towards the end of the same game hands occurred in the penalty area, and the referee gave a free kick. Whfen spoken to after the game the referee said it was "hands, but unintentional. Now, if a referee thinks that the affair is unintentional he has no right te stop the game, and he must give a penalty for that offence; in fact, he has no option. . • The game between Y.M.C.A. Juniors and Tliorndon, despite the high wind, was a fast, clean, and scientific game. Y".M.’s combination and clever football was a treat to see. The understanding between Stark (outside), D. Price (inside-left), and H. Price (left-half), was great, and the way these three play th® triangular game is perfect. Those who are fond of the kick biff and run style, should follow this team for a few weeks, and if they do not plump for science after seeing this team in action, well they will be dufTers. But, alasl that is Y.M.’s first game in the junior grade, and the writer is afraid that by the end of the season they will learn that combination is useless in that grade, and they will have to adopt the kick and rush stvle. Later on in the season the writer of these notes intends watching these boys closely, and. is also going to ask them their opinion of the style of play as played in the junior grade. May these boys stick to their clever style, and show us how te play Soccer football in the proper wav.

What was wrong with the goal nets on Association Park last Saturday? One referee nearly gave an unfair decision through there being no nets up. The ball appeared to go in, and he blew his whistle for a goal, and it struck him just at that moment that the goalie stepped back behind his line as if the ball had really passed outside. The captain of the opposing side was near the referee at the time, and promptly said “no goal, ref.,” so that official then gave a goal-kick, which turned out to be the correct decision. How teams must hate playing on Association Park : it gets worse as a playing pitch as tho years roll byThe Diamonds are to be congratulated upon their game against Karori with a short team. McLeod, Guest, Bolt and Hawkins were the best of a good side. For Karori, Muir (who was outstanding at centre-half), Bing, Prince, Mclntyre, Stacey, and Wilson wore the pick, but while the play generally was good, tho shooting was atrocious.

Tlie institute team was too light for the weather conditions on Saturday, but Marist were invincible, especially in utilising tho wind.. short passing rushes, and good shooting characterising their play in the second half especially. Fitzgerald found the centre more congenial than goalie, and he played a great game. The first score come from a well-placed corner, which found Kallahar readv placed for it. Burke (left back), Rudolph brothers (full backs), and Barton all played well for Marist, while Dempster, Kallahar, and Barnes were prominent for Institute. Johnsonville senior B team made a good showing against the redoubtable Scottish 'Wanderers. R. McFarlane Mong and McCabe being well in the limelight. Spectators speak well of the junior match, Y.M.C.A. v. Thorndon. The combination of )the winners was a treat to see- Thorndon put up a plucky fight, but their opponents were too good. Hie Swifts’ juplors had a meritorious win last week against the Institute A team. In the first spell play was oven, but in the second the Swifts proved too good for their opponents and rattled on three goals (Bowden, Jones and Johns) till Institute scored just on time. For the winners, 8. Payne and C. Jones (backs) and S. Bowden, H. Jones and W. Weed (forwards) were in great form. Barnes, who played well at insideright for Institute in the match against Marist, is a new arrival from Asckland.