SOCCER

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 42, 17 August 1929, Page 22

SOCCER

BY "VANGUAHD"

THE CHAMPIONSHIP

WINNERS STILL UNKNOWN

POSITIONS OF SENIOR TEAMS

First A Division: Up to date. Other divisions: Up to tho 3rd August. "

Every ganio that Diamond now play, has a bearing upon the senior championship. They are two points ahead of Petone, and consequently if the leaders are now beaten it will make the championship again open. It was not to be wondered at,"'then, when in tho course of the Diamond-Waterside match at Kelburn Park last Saturday Waterside were leading 2-1, that excitement ran high. Diamond proved equal to the occasion though, and came -off the field winners by the odd goal in three. As the score $-2 would indicate; tho game was a hard onu, and was productivp of some close football. Waterside made every endeavour to obtain a- lead, but when halftime arrived Diamond, were ono goal up. In.,the second half events moved quickly, and after Waterside had scored play became-very keen. The equalising goal brought about the desired result. It put fresh lifp into the Waterside team, and they immediately bogan to press Diamond. The spell was half over when Waterside obtained a lead, and from then onwards tho interest of the spectators was at a high pitch. Could Waterside hold their opponents? It seemed that if they wore uimblo to hold Diamond they could at least make a drawn game, but even that proved too much for them. Playing with determination Diamond drew level, and then there was only fifteen minutes' play loft. A draw seemed certain. Waterside not only hold their opponents but gavo them sovoral uncomfortablo .moments when play swung down to tho Diamond goal. Then tho unexpected happened. From a seemingly unimportant movement the Diamond forwards took the ball up to the Waterside goal, and a goal was scored. Failure of Waterside to mark their opponents was one of the reasons for the score which turned first a victory, then a draw, into a defeat. As though to make doubly sure of the- result chance said "No more," for immediately after the winning goal was scored thj final whistle was blown. Saturday's match must have beon one of tho closest calls Diamond have experienced this season. Thoir win, however, was not all luck. Play by 'determined men had a great deal to do with it. When the score was against them they set about to remedy matters in a decided manner, and that their efforts wero successful goes without saying.

As a team,' Diamond did not give a display equal to their best by any means. Tho goal-keeping could havo been improved to" start with. In tho first spell Wya'tt did "hot have a great deal to do,/but in the second ho was called upon much more frequently. The first Waterside goal /presented no great difficulties, but evidently, the goalie was suffering from the effect of tho low sun 'shining into his eyes; and tho ball rolled lazily into tho net. The backs, Guest and G. Wotherspoon, gave a sound display of back play. Tho halves, J. M'Lcod, T.. Wotherspoon and' M'Cormack, were*- tho strength of tho side. The forwards were not promising. R. M'Lood on the right wing was responsible for some nice touches, but Stark on the other wing was not playing at all up to form. • M'Phail showed himself'to be a hard worker, as also did Smith, but the latter did not'receive- the opportunities he usually gets.

Hastings and Cullen, the Waterside wingers, were the strength of the Waterside forward line. Both took advantage of opportunities, and for a great part of the gamo kept the Diamond defencb busy. Longbottom, the centre-forward, was not playing as well as he might have. Garrod, Wilkes, and Maine made a' nice half-line, and the backs, Bolton and Irwin, played sound football. ■ •■■• ... Performance Not Repeated. Earlier in the season Thistle sprung a surprise by defeating Petone, but last Saturday, when these two teams met again on the Petone ground, Thistle were unable to repeat ' the performance. Petone avenged themselves to the tune of 2-goals to nil, but the bustling Thistle tactics gave the winners an anxious time. The first spell ended in favour of Petone, Leslie and Dunlop each scoring a goal, and it rather looked as if Petone would bo able to hold their own. comfortably . and to increase the margin. But such was not the case, for as'the game progressed Thistle became more and more' dangerous; and the Petone

attack less and less.. potent.' Thistle were perhaps unlucky in not scoring: they probably would have scored had tltere been any other goalkeeper to beat except M'Vean. He was sorely tested on several occasions, but rose to the occasion magnificently and brought off some remarkably fine . saves in a most spectacular style. The Thistle forwards lacked the necessary finish to their work, and once or twice failed rather badly when a goal seemed certain. The game wag full of'interest, as first, one side and then the other swept down the field of play, the pace throughout being very hot. The Petone attack did not reproduce the previous Saturday's form, when they scored no fewer than nine goals, but the defence on that occasion was not as sturdy as that met on Saturday last. Petone's position is now an interesting one on the championship table, and it is-still possible that they will end up the season on top if it ■is a case of deciding the premiership by ■ goal averages. An Unsettled Team. : r ' T, he T ,Mar.ist-Institute "game at Wakefield Park last Saturday was a disastrous affair for Institute, who were beaten by eight goals .to two. Institute took the field, a disorganised team, four of their regujar men being absent, and haying to be replaced by substitutes, llns necessitated a re-shuffling of the positions of the men, which made thines more difficult still. Throughout the game Institute did not seem at all sure of themselves, and although some bright football was shown by individuals, the team.as a whole was unsettled, and stood no chance against their opponents. cr Marist, although fielding a team not absolutely identical with its" usual was practically up to full strength. Their men took the game easily, playing with confidence and a precise combination tnat gave them a reserve, which they never had to call upon. At times their cool play was in striking contrast to the.frantic efforts of the harrassed Institute team, who were fully extended during the whole of the match. The Marist attack was strongest on the right wing, where Barton and M Condon were playing. Both were outstanding players, tho winger for his deadly shooting and the inside man for his cool and accurate footwork. W. Condon filled tho centre position well and the left wing was also excellent, Marshment and Marshall working very well together It was a well-balanced forward line. The halves were steady, keeping the forwards .' well supplied with the ball, while the backs, especially Thomas, were beyond reproach. What little work Fitzgerald had to do in' goal he did well. Cooley, on the left wing, was the best of the Institute forwards. He was always on the inovef arid most of tho Institute attacks came from his wing. May and Maddocks, the two inside men, were fair enoifgh, but not so conspicuous in attack as they usually are, while the right-wing position was safely filled by Bilby. Miles, who was brought from the full-back position, seemed out of place at cen-tre-forward, and was only passable. Gill was easily the best of the halves, showing an unfailing energy equal to that of Cooley. Holstead, a new man, and Byng, were-the other two halves The two full-backs, Bell and Watson, although slow, played a really excellent game against ;'a. determined attack, and to them and to Rogers, the goalkeeper, Institute owo much: Rogers, whose appearance ojV the field last Saturday was the first: this season, played a game which would be no discredit to tho best goalkeeper in Wellington. More Spectacles. ■ Tho subject of.bespectacled referees was ngain referred to at a. meeting of the council of the New Zealand Football Association this week, when the council expressed its willingness to limit the operations of the rule provided that tho request comes from or through the New Zealand Referees' (Association. It was pointed out by the chairman of the council (Mr, F. 'Campbell) that tho New Zealand Referees' Association only asked for a ruling (at the previous meeting) and the .council simply quoted the English law. If the rigid application of the rule would causo hardship lie thought tho council would interpret it in a. manner which would exclude local competitions from its operation, but he thought it should apply to important matches such as F.A. and Chatham Cup games. A letter from the- Wellington Association (asked that tho rulo concerning referees wearing glasses bo waived as far as matches under the jurisdiction of the W.F.A. wore< concerned. If the request could not be complied with, then it was asked that the New Zealand council should to the E.F.A. in order that tho concession could be granted. It had been pointed out to tho Wellington association that many of tho best referees in Wellington wore glasses, and it would considerably prejudice the obtaining of sufficient referees for the control of matches if tho rulo was strictly enforced. The Wellington committee was of the opinion that the rule could be applied to interprovincial matches and Chatham Cup finals. A referee present at the New Zealand council meeting said that with two referees of equal qualifications ho would give the preference to the man without glasses, but if the man who wore glasses was a more able referee he would give him the match. The council decided to write to tho Wellington Association on the lines indicated, namely, that tho representations should come through the New Zealand Referees' Association. ■■.'.' Naval Players. During tho week tho Wellington public had tho opportunity of seeing a match between teams from the French cruiser Tourvillo and H.M.S. Dunedin. Though tho Dunedin did not field its best team, it proved far too strong for the Tourvillo cloven. Tho latter showed themselves to be quick on their feet, but they lacked sting in the finish to their movements. On many occasions they were in a position to goal, but flid nothing with the leather. Their shooting, particularly, was poor, and it is safe to say that had they been stronger in that department they .would have scored two oi\ three times in tho first half. After the Dunedin had scored five goals in the first spell they did not press very hard for the reinainder of the game. They more than, hold the French team with ,ease, and the game finished 6-1 in the Dunedin's favour. The- Dunedin,' it is stated, is capable of fielding a strong. team, so there should be plenty to interest spectators when they meet local club sides." .'■'...• Regrading Scheme! .-_.'-. A regrading scheme. \is at present under the consideration of the Wellington Football Association (following on a report from the Bub-committee set up at a special " general meeting some time ago), and the proposal will be discussed at a meeting with delegates on 7th October. The change, apparently, is one chiefly of name. The senior A division will- be the . First Division League, the Senior B Division, tho Second Division League, the Junior A Division, the Third Division League, the Junior B Division," the First Reservo League, and the Junior C Division the Second.lieserve League. At

present, with the senior A and senior B divisions, a team in. the senior B division is content with its' lot, but if it were in the Second Division League it would naturally strive to gain a place in the First Division League. The idea is taken from English football. At the special general meeting it was emphasised that promotion and relegation are necessary in all grades, and these will operate as formerly under the new scheme. The affiliation fees will not be changed. Championship Trophies.

Recently members of. the "Wellington Football Association have . been perturbed at the fact that the end of the season is approaching and that many cups and trophies are still in the possession of clubs. There is a large number of trophies available • for the various championships, but when won these are apt to be mislaid. At last week's meeting of the association a peculiar position was revealed. One member stated that he had located a cup that had been in the possession of a player for four years—and it was in half. The existence; of several other trophies is doubtful;, they have been out of sight for some time. It is to be hoped that clubs will forward al!1 trophies to the secretary as soon as possible. • ■

The New Zealand Navy team which I has been'competing in Association football circles in Australia .has .returned with a brilliant record, states an Auckland paper. Out of eight games played, seven were won and the Brisbane representatives were forced to a draw in the final game. The latter game was of particular interest, in that it marked the inauguration of electric light football, which is just beginning.to prove popular in Australia. , The game was played on the Brisbane Cricket Ground before "a large crowd, the final scores being 3-all.

Diamond 11 9 2 0 30 15 18 Petone .....'.... 11 7 2 2 32 11 16 Hospital 12 5 4 3 25 31 13 Waterside 12 5 0 2 27 26 12 Marlst 11 3 4 4 29 33 10 Institute 11 2 G 3 21 35 7 Thistle 12 2 7 3 13 24 7 Y.M.C.A. 10 3 0 1 . 24 24 7

Ist A Division.

P. W. L. D. F. A. Pts Scatouu 13 11 0 2 65 20 24 [*ower Hutt ..... 13 8 4 1 35 20 17 Piiistlo 12 6 i 2' 31 19 14 Petono ;. 11 6 4 1 27 28 13 3rooklyn 13 4 5 4 25 36 12 South • Wellington 13 3 8 2 21 32 8 rolmsonvllle ,..13 3 8 2 IS 44 8 Swifts 13 2 10 1 22 42 5

Ist B Division.

P. W. L. D. P. A.Pts IsIandBay 12 11 1 0 54 25 22 Seatoun 13 9 3 1 42 23 19 Marlst 1'2 8 3 1 49, 37 17 Wadestown ...■. 13 6. 6 1 34 30 13 Diamond ....... 13 5 Is 1 27 33 11 Y.M.C.A 13 4 8 1 28 44 ' 9 Waterside 13 4 9 0 25 34 8 Thistle 13 in i 19 si 3

2nd A Division.

r. w. l. Miramar Rangers 13 10 1 Brooklyn 13 9 2 Institute 12 8 3 Trcntliam 13 5' 4 Swifts ... 13 3 3 Soutli Wellington 13 3 8 Island Bay 13 3 9 Lower Hint Withdrawn fn D. F. A. Pts 2 46 12 22 2 43 25 20 1 35 22 IT 4 24 31 14 2 18 22 8 2 -24 41 8 1 22 40 7 rom competition

2nd B Division.

■ e. W. L. D. i\ A. Pts Lower Huti 11- 7 1 . 3 89 17 17 Uarlst 11' 6 3 2 38. 30 14 Diamond..; 12 5 4 3 24 25 11 3top Out ..... 13 472 24 35 10 Eastbourne .... 82 1 5 20 19 0 luttone .. 9' 2 7 0 «16 34 4

2nd C Division.

„, , ,„ P- W. L. D. F. A. Pts Waterside • n 9 1 1 53 u xs f wl"s -10 7 2 1 39 18 15 Seatoun ....:. 10 6 4 0 33 25 12 Mirahiar Rangers, 9 4 4 X 21 30 9 Wadestown ... 93 G 0 16 27 G Marist .10 "2 7 1 18 43 5 South Wellington 8, 1 7 0 11 42 2

3rd 'A-Division.

P- W. L. D. F.' A. Fts tower Hutt A . 12 10. .0 1 55 9 21 Uiramar Rangers 11- 8.1 2 64 16 IS H* 1*'1?,. 12 0 3 3 38 28 15 J' 0?,,*} 1"' 12 3 S 1 20.37 7 nstltute ...... 13 3 10 0 30 73 G tower Hutt B . 12 210 0 9 57 4

i 3rd B Division. '