Popularity of Soccer

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 192, 11 May 1937, Page 14

Popularity of Soccer

New Recruits to the Code

By

HOTSPUR.

THE news of the possibility of the formation of an Association football team from the Teachers’ Training College will be received with satisfaction by followers of the code in Wellington, and the W.F.A. is not likely to [dace any barrier in the way of these welcome recruits to the game. Another cause for gratification is the application of the Inter-house League for the official guidance of the W.F.A. Since its inception last year by a few keen players in business houses, the league has done much to ioster the sport, and with careful management there seems no reason why it should not grow to considerable proportions. The now body will be faced with the problem of obtaining sufficient grounds, but it is hoped that this will eventually be overcome.

Saturday’s Games Reviewed. Hospital deserved their win against Seatonn on Saturday, as they were the better team, but the difference was so slight that it was anybody's game right up till the final whistle. Salisbury (right full-back), Webb (right-wing) and Upchurch (left-half), fitted in well with the rest of the Hospital combination. Upchurch. who played last year as a forward, is a vigorous defensive player always on the ball. Salt, Seatoun's game little centre-half, received a painful injury in a collision with Webster, but he pluckily carried on. He distributed his passes well despite the troublesome wind. Stanbridge was not much in the limelight, but his short passes past defending backs made many openings for Webster and Webb. W. Woods played his usual reliable game on the Hospital left flank, crossing accurately and with judgment. His lobbed centres in front of the other forwards were most effective. Technical’s convincing win over Institute at Kelburn on Saturday might just be the tonic they require to stimulate them to further progress on the championship ladder. Technical, if not a brilliant side, lack nothing in keenness and gameness. These qualities, coupled with team spirit, are fine assets to’help a team along the road to success.

Individual honours on the winners’ side went to Stewart, N. Gates, and both backs, Parker and Ronald. Stewart, operating at outside-left, gave a fine display of neat and clever football, showing skilful penetration. He gained two excelr lent goals. On this display he must be entitled to consideration for representative honours. The Technical halves put in good work during the afternoon, but N. Gates, with keen tackling and forceful play, took the honours. Redmond, in goal, did not get a great deal of work to do. so well was he sheltered behind two sound backs. Nevertheless he gave indications of being a sound custodian. Indecision near the goal and faulty shooting was an apparent weakness in the front rank.

Institute gave an indifferent display and looked a beaten team throughout the game. Ward, their bustling centre, was an absentee, and was greatly missed.

This no doubt affected the team. King, A. McLean, Marshall and Tanner were the pick of the side, and all worked strenuously though unsuccessfully to turn the tide in their favour. I’etone showed rare determination to come from behind and play all over Marist in the second spell of their match nt I’etone on Saturday, scoring a well-de-served win. Neither side found the high northerly wind an advantage, all five goals, rather surprisingly, being scored against the wind. J. Keivhaw is nothing if not versatile. One of Wellington's representative forwards for some years, he turned out between the sticks for Marist on Saturday and gave a masterly exhibition- of goalkeeping. He gathered the ball cleanly and coolly and his anticipation was excellent. Though Traynor, Marist's inside right, showed promise of proving as useful in that position as he did at left half last season, he has been disappointing in the last, two games. lie gets through some good work and then spoils it by trying to beat one man too many. Leslie was quick to fake advantage of the lack of understanding between the Mai-ist backs. He has a fine turn of speed, which netted him two goals. A tower of strength in the Petone team is White at right half. The hardest worker in the team, he seems to be everywhere and yet is never caught out of position. The most outstanding player in the Waterside-Diamond game was Walker at outside right for the quayeiders. This youngster shows great promise as a winger and is improving with every game. His ball control is good And his centres when on the run are a treat to watch. If looked after properly he should go a long way. In goal for Diamond. McLean gave a good exhibition, but found the fast-mov-ing vanguard of the opposing team too much to hold in the second spell. Longbottom was a grand pivot for his side, his distribution to his forwards being first class. CHAMPIONSHIP TABLE First A Division

p W. I/. D. F. A. Ch. Pts. Seatoun . 4 1 0 13 9 6 Hospital , 3 3 0 0 i 3 6 Waterside 4 , 1 1 0 11 7 6 Petone . 4 •> ‘ > 0 9 10 4 Marist .. 4 1 0 8 11 2 Diamond . 4 1 . > 0 9 16 2 Inst. O.B. 4 1 3 0 7 11 *> Tech.; O.B. 3 1 First B 2 0 3 Division. 6 Ch. P. w. L. D. F. A. Pts. Scot. W. 4 4 0 0 20 •> 8 Swifts .. 4 3 1 0 18 11 6 L. Hutt . 4 1 0 13 8 6 Koro Koro 4 •> *> 0 8 11 4 Nada ... 4 1 o 1 9 13 0 Mir. R. . 4 4 o 1 10 12 3 Wadestown 4 0 ! > 1 •> 12 1 Onslow .. 4 0 o 1 1 17 1