ASSOCIATION

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 72, 21 September 1912, Page 14

ASSOCIATION

(By "Vanguard.")

Sunnyside entertained the Wellington League champions on Monday, and suffered defeat on their own ground by 2 to nil, after a game in which Hospital had to keep busy, especially during the second half, as Wallis was off the field for most of the spell, owing to injury. The day was too warm for football, while the Brown Shield men were not very fresh after their strenuous fight on the previous Saturday. Sunnyside set a lively pace, kicking hard and following up in lively fashion, but good defence by Cockburn and Cross kept them out. Porter and Rogers got within striking distance on a few occasions, but the bulk of the atacking was done by Bishop and Loadsman, on Hospital's right wing, and Hughes and Phillips missed several good openings which might have been accepted. Just on half-time, however, Curtis gave a corner, which Jacobs dropped with such accuracy under the bar that the keeper could only touch the ball with his fingers as it curled into the net. On changing ends, Roote went inside right owing to an injury to his ankle. Loadsman taking his place at centre-halt. Sunnyside, through Porter and Peter*, worked hard to change the venue, but generally Hospital were doing the bulk of attacking, and Wardell proved a mainstay in defence. Curtis was kept busy, having shotß to stop from all directions. Wardill only partially cleared from the right-wing, and Hughes snapped up and scored at close quarters. With Wallis off, Hospital played one back, and Porter took advantage to get clear away with no one in front, but shot hard when a short pass to his forwards, who were all up, must have resulted in a score. Shortly after, Rogers had an open goal, but placed outside, and Hospital won comfortably by two to nothing. A first-half incident was a matter for regret from more thaa one point of view. Curtis had left his goal, and Wardell essayed the role momentarily, and saved a certain score by deliberately fisting out, which is not cricket. Curtis stopped the resultant penalty taken by Cockburn. Bishop and Brooke, for Hospital, gave creditable displays, the winger and half combining very nicely, the former's centres being excellently placed in the Becond half. Cross had a lively time, but had not expended quite all his energy on the previous Saturday. Loadsman, Hughes, Phillips, and Roots were other conspicuous men, but, aB Sunnyside were playing three substitutes, all their energies were not required. Sunnyside's best men were Wardell, Curtis, and Shortall in the defence, Rogers and Porter being their most noticeable forwards. The referee— a Mr. Davis, of the C.R.A. — has some curious notions of the laws of thegame, but he is not alone in that respect in the Southerncity. The Wellington representatives, minus tho Hospital contingent^ returned 'home on Sunday, "happy and_ glorious," having wrested the Brown Shield from Canterbury by a magnificent victory of six gpate to two. Not even the most optimistic looked for such a brilliant result, a win by two goals at the most being all that was hoped for ; but the event haa completely justified the selectors, and they may now_ indulge in that quiet chuckle over their disparagers to their hearts' content. For even. up to the day, of the match a certain disgruntled quidnunc, with an almost openly expressed "wish that was father to the thought," stigmatised the team as a collection of old crocks and has-beens, rind looked for, the trailing of Wellington's flag in the mire. Before, leaving him to a welldeserved oblivion, one particular "pearl" is worthy of notice. Speaking of the merits of Coates and the absence of any virtue in Cross, he says : —"Coates may not have the experience of Cross, neither has he the very scant knowledge of the game that Cross possesses." Now, that is sweet ; but perhaps it is that confounded lino operator again. It seems to be a case of Mr. Euclid's straight lines. For what were tho achievements of this bizarre collection?, Canterbury kicked off, their centre passing to Grant, whose transfer to Noakes was snapped up by Kirschberg. (has-been) ; he dribbled a few yard* and fed Gibson (has-been). The forward centred to Phillips (hasbeen), who swerved past two opponents, gained his favourite position, applied a "four-point-seven" #to the ball, and screwed past May into the far corner of the net at, express speed, the whole movement, which was one of the best of the match, being accomplished within one minute of the start. From that moment i Wellington never looked back, and their supporters' faces wore a perpetual smile. Canterbury awoke to the fact that two i goals were required to get the lead, and for the next quarter of an hour they j played with desperation, and, to be quite candid, both Rickaby and Gibson showed signs -of the pace, but Roots and Kirschberg played like heroes; Crow was the embodiment of steadiness and resource, Parsons kicking,, tackling, and intervening with fine spirit, and Cockburn, hold- { ing an impregnable goal behind. That rock-like defence gradually restrained the exuberance of Ward, Bisset, and- company, and to the end of the game they were held well in hand, though the right wing required tct be kept under strict, surveillance throughout. Rickaby and Gibson now began to warm to their work, and Phillips and Barnett, working nicely together, kept Howie and M'Farlane on the stretch. Gibson fastened on to the ball in the penalty zone, after fine work bj Hughes and the left wing, and forced his way through to score the second goal, the ball rolling slowly over the line just out of May's reaoh. This seemed to unnerve the keeper, and his confidence disappeared for the afternoon. On the other hand, Wellington settled down to play , representative football, and several dashing attacks almost materialised, but half-time arrived wiih no further ecore. Thus far the game had been fairly even, Wellington's lead of two goals representing the, difference in ability to. successfully drive home the attack. On play being resumed Wellington had both sun and light breeze at their backs, and, playing with splendid elan, the forwards raced through for the skipper to score inside two minutes, and Canterbury's fate was sealed. Kirschberg, Roots, and Rickaby, having th« whip hand of the reds' forwards, now began to combine beautifully with their own attackers, and movement after movement was carried out to the complete discomfiture of Canterbury's rear-guard, valiantly though Howie and Fullerton were playing. Phillips helped himself to a third goal, bringing the total to four, and someone on the stand advised him, in a stag© whisper, to "let somebody els« ecore a goal." Ward and Bisset broke away, and forced a corner, from which Bisset worked in a surprise lob which found the net. "Four-^-one," and Wellfngton replied almost immediately, Barnett taking the ball from Phillips and centreing, May givjng a corner. The Thistle dropped the ball just about the penalty spot, and Hughes, jumping into the air, deftly deflected it into the top corner of the goal — the most spectacular score, of the day. Rickaby began to indulge in such trickery that was, for a representative, game, absolutely impudent; but one piece of funny business was brought to an abrupt termination , by M'Farlane, who applied the closure in a way that brought a roar of delight from Canterbury's partisans, whose opportunities for euch manifestations were few and far between during the closing half. Kjrachberg joined in an attack with Roberts, wHo was placing his centres to much greater advantage than in the first half, and on the ball coming to Gibson that player made no mistake, his two goals being ample justification for his selection. Six to one in favour of Wellington^—a big margin— but, seeing the incisive manner in which the forwards hammered home their attacks, it was not surprising to those who viewed the game. Canterbury reduced the deficit by one point, which no one grudged to Taylor, who had been trying his hardest 'to elude Roots's amiable attentions. The centre got away from near the half-way line, and, racing round his nearest opponent, converged on the goal. Cockburn ran out, and although he floored Taylor the ball entered the net, and the centre forgot his sore bones at the congratulations of his comrades, j Ward made a few raids, but Parsons tackled, him grimly, nnd although upended in a full-blooded charge was on hi« fo«t and at Ward* »hould«r before h« bad gone fit.

The concluding whistle blew shortly after, and as the players trooped off the ground their smiling faces, _ bathed in perspiration, were visible evidence that they had put forth their last ounce to secure the victory. The game was played at & fast pace, but every man stayed it out, the old horses playing better as the end drew near. Mr. Preston found it rather sultry, and, although impartial in his rulings, was often badly out-distanced during the second half. t Turning to the players, the anticipations in these columns last week were fully borne out. Cockburn proved his worth under the bar, his long distance punts when clearing being of great servioe. The second goal _ might possibly have been, saved, but it is always two to one on the man in possession. Cross was at his best, his experience blending with Parsons's youthful vivaoity to form a fine pair of backs, and a olean sheet during Canterbury's first half onslaught is proof that they did their duty. Of the halves, it is difficult to award the palm between Roots and Kirachberg. The latter had the weakest wing, but he held them finely all through (the scoring coming from the other wing), and his deft touches to Roberts and Gibson opened up many a promising situation. He is to be congratulated in that he has confounded his oritics. Roots played with great dash from start to finish, his headwork being superb. On one occasion he fielded his own kick three times before sending on to the left wing, and his display both in attack and defence was not surpassed by any player on the field. Rickaby did not come to light till the game had progressed for some little while, but he made amends in the second hftlf, and dribbled and feinted and placed to his forwards with cleverness and skill. The left wings were, if anything, slightly better than the right during the first half, Gibsou and Roberts not getting into touch so well as did Barnett and Phillips. The diminutive Thistle began with much confidence, and, using his speed, took along tho skipper's passes and centred with great effect. Phillips played a most consistent game, his leadership and footwork being of a high standard, while his shooting was deadly. His first _ minute goal struck the keynote of Wellington's success, and his bag of three is a notable feat. Hughes obtained his customary goal, and swung the ball about more fn the correct style of a centre than he usually does, his concerted work with the wings linking the line together splendidly. Without doubt, the blend of Hospital men in the team proved invaluable, their understanding, and a tally of four goals, attesting to that fact. Gibson was disappointing early in wandering out of position, but the burly Thistle was much in evidence later, and was quite a success, although allegedly a patriarch. Roberts did not play * the game that he customarily does in the opening half^ but as his partner improved, the Corinthian became a bugbear to Tanner, and in the second half he displayed sparkling football, not one of his centres going behind. The Canterbury critics were much impressed by the splendid footwork shpwn, and recognised that they had been fairly and squarely vanquished by a vastly superior team in all departments. All that now remains to appropriately round off this glorious chapter in soccer history is for some opulent supporter to view the Brown Shield, become adequately dazzled, and present the players (who have given of their talent, their time, and their hard-earned cash, without official mementos in prospect of any sort) with caps, badges, or medals, as tangible reminders of their prowess on Lancaster Park. The Fifth Division boys won their game with ease, despite the faot of the weight being against them. SevOn goals is' a big margin, btit the skill and knowledge of the game displayed v as ; far in advance of Canterbury s chosen. Thomas stood out for clever work, but he continually ignored his wing, and instead of passing to them would dribble t selfishly by and shoot on his own. His ooach should say n word or two m season, or the lad will be spoilt. He had no excuse, having in front of him the olever Ponrua winger, Eastwood, one of the best in the division. ._.... , . Why have the Fifth Divisiom selectors ignored Porirua's defenders for the rep. game to-day? The lads have not lost a goal in competition games this season. •