SOCCER

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 284, 28 August 1935, Page 14

SOCCER

The Big Event of Year Next Saturday

CHATHAM CUP FINAL His Excellency to Present the Trophy (Br Flag-Kick.) 'The big Soccer event of the year—the Chatham Cup final—will be played at the Basin Reserve on Saturday between the champion North Island eleven, Hospital, and the South Island elect, Western. Thia annual fixture always attracts a large crowd, not only of regular Soccer followers, but also of supporters of other sports, and it is expected that the turnstiles will elick busily before the ball is kicked off at 2.45 p.m. There is every indication that a brilliant exposition of the code will be furnished by these first-class teams, and the public will see for itself that Soccer is a game worth going a long way f'o watch.

His Excellency the Governor-General, Lord Galway, who is patron of the New Zealand Football Association, will present the valuable Chatham Cup to the winners.

This trophy was presented by the officers and men of H.M.S. Chatham in 1922 in recognition of the kindness extended to them while in New Zealand. The cup, which is a replica of the English Cup, has been competed for each year since 1923 and the winners have been *• 1923, Seacliff (Otago) ; 1924, Harbour Board (Auckland); 1925, Y.M.C.A. (Wellington) ; 1926, Sunnyside (Canterbury); 1927, Ponsonby (Auckland) ; 1928, Petone (Wellington); 1929, Tramways (Auckland) ; 1930. Pctone (Wellington); 1931, Tramurewa (Auckland); 1932 Marist (Wellington) ; 1933, Ponsonby (Auckland) ; 1934, Thistle (Auckland). It will be seen that North Island teams have won the trophy on 10 occasions, while the South Island has won it only twice. Neither Hospital nor Western has won it so far. “Flag-Kick” believes that Hospital will be the successful team this year, but no chances can be taken with the formidable South Islanders, who will fight every inch of the way to take the trophy back home. In any case it can be taken for granted that everyone present will enjoy a first-class exposition of a great game.

On Play and Players. Congratulations are due to Marist on their victory in the Auld Memorial Cup final last Saturday, and as the president of the W.F.A., Mr. J. J. Roberts, remarked it is pleasing to see the cup go round. Diamonds were the holders for three seasons and Petone held it for two years.

A ■ perfect understanding between White, the Petone winger, and Leslie, 1 was a notable feature of the Petone attack. These men executed some clever movements that harassed the Marist defence. Leslie showed great determination in several solo attacks also, out on two occasions it seemed that he was a little too vigorous. Jimmie Campbell was another hard worker who showed some of his old dash.

Why are not goalies penalised more often for dangerous play? In one game on Saturday a goalie fisted the ball out with one hand and the other was aimed straight at the head of a charging opponent. Whether intentional or. not, it was certainly a dangerous thing to do. The Marist centre-half, Foley, is developing into a really good player, and on Saturday he got through a ton of work without making a mistake. It is pleasing to see these young players coming along, for it makes one look to the future with a cheerful confidence. Eddie Barton admittedly is not as good as he was a few years back, but there is no doubt that he is a good player still. This outside-right has what is known as football brains, and he always knows ■what to do with the ball. It is delightful to watch that snappy way he flicks the qall over his shoulder, and nippily cuts round an opponent to regain possession. These little dodges, of course, come with experience, but our younger players would do well to watch the various characteristics of good experienced men and practice them themselves.

Teddy Kershaw has slipped badly this season, and it would be interesting to know how many goals he has lost through skying the ball. It is to be expected that a man cannot always be on the target, but when one ball after another goes over the top in one game supporters get rather tired.

M. Quirke gave a much brighter display on Saturday, and some of his lobs into the goalmouth were a treat to watch. IJatchard showed up well in defence and attack, and deserves praise for the two good goals he netted. Craig, the Petone outside-left, did not waste any time in dispatching the bull to the centre, and for that reason his performance was far better than usual. This man certainly knows his football, but he is inclined to do too much on his own. After all, a winger should get the ball away as quickly as possible, so that the opposing players have not time to cover up the goal. Referee G. Jackson controlled the ;luld Memorial Cup final excellently, and was quick and definite in his decisions. When a Marist man handled iu the box and the Petone players appealed many referees would have given a penalty. But Mr. Jackson rightly ignored the appeal, because the handling was not intentional. McLeod does not impress as a fullback, and it was largely hie fault that Hatchard scored the first point against the Petone side.

Haines, on the other hand, gave a sterling performance, and broke up several Marist raids.

A feature of the Waterside-Diamonds game was the large number of free-kicks. Yet the game was a very clean and sporting affair, and Referee Graham io deserving of praise for the manner in which he controlled it. Waterside were in excellent form anti their team-work was perfect., Few better displays have been seen on No. 2 ground of the Basin Reserve thio season. A. Longbottom was cleverness personified. The representative centre-half acquits himself very well at inside left and it might yet be proved that this is his true berth. He excels at ball control and heads beautifully to the centre or inside right. With such a partner McGrath can blame himself if he does not attain representative honours. Owing to the fine work of the halves the Waterside rear line had an easy time. Hazel did not wander out of position as much as usual, and Goggin made an able deputy for Abernethy, who was absent through .illness. The Waterside half line moved sweetly. Cocks and McLennan being outstanding. The forward line also was in sparkling form. Although he did not display last season’s dash and penetration Janes distributed the ball well and kept his line evenly balanced. Diamonds did not settle down to their strong bustling game, and lacked their usual dash. While no blame could be attached to the veteran Ewing the defence was below form. Hopper did not shape at all promisingly and Killick found the Longbottom-McGrath combination too much for him. The Diamond halves were completely outplayed by the nippy clever lot of opposing forwards, and Geddes was the only one to pass muster. Tucker was the best of a poorly supported lot of forwards.