FIRST DIVISION

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 122, 26 May 1930, Page 15

FIRST DIVISION

BY ONE GOAL,

-The Diamond-Waterside game at _ the Basin -'Reserve, which was won by Diamond by 1 goal.to nil, though contested strenuously, did riot provide as bright a game as perhaps was expected. It was-an important match to both teams, and the play was stamped by caution. Only on rare occasions did the game, become fast and spectacular, and' on-those occasions Diamond made the pace. \ Aided by ,the wind in the first spell Diamond scored, but only once. The Waterside defence was very solid, and the team played a -great game. In the second half Diamond continued to force play, and, on the average, had the better -\p£ the game. The teams were as follow:— Diamond: Wyatt; Wotherspoon, Guest; J. M'Leod, Geddis, M'Cormack; K. M'Leod, Axford, Dieksensou, smith, Stark. . ■ ■ ■' , ■,-,,. Waterside: Stone; Abernethy, Bolton; Moon, Haines, Cummings; Cullen,. JJunsmuir, Gardiner, Wilson, Longbottom. Referee: Mr. A. E. Caisley. , . Waterside kicked off against a from wind, and Wotherspoon relieved, the pressure Smith and Stark figured' in a forward lush, but the latter's attempt at goal was weak. .IE. M'Leod broke away on the wing, but when he centred noue or the Diamond forwards was in a good position. Diamond maintained the pressure, and,, working both wings, had .the., Water-. ' side defence thoroughly tested' out. J.ne Waterside forward line failed to get into motion, any offensive movement on Waterside's part being nullified by the sound Diamond defence. On the other hand, Diamond lost valuable opportunities, the ■work of the left wing being: disappointing in the early, stages of the game. ilie Waterside defence had very few flaws._ln the first thirty minutes of play the leather ■tvus in' Diamond's halt' only two or three times. Axford, after a period of even play, worked through the Waterside . defence, and passed, to Diekensoii, who made..no mistake "with a stinging shot. Diamond 1,-AVaterside 0. A ie\v minutes after the kick-off Stark had a glorious opportunity, but he skied the ball. lne first spell ended without further score. The Waterside defence stood up to its task well, and though there-were several anxious moments, the goal was kept clear. The spell finished 1-0 in Diamond's favour. Diamond started . the ■ second spell against the wind in a determined manner, and.two corners fell to.-their lot. Longbottom swung the ball out to ,tlie., right, and when it came back, Gardener shot from close quarters. Wyatt was in posi-1 ton and saved. Play became very close and uninteresting. , Diamond made a better showing against the wind than, did the Waterside in the, first spell. Wilson worked hard up to the goal, and a score almost resulted when he centred, one of the forwards heading over -the net. .In the concluding stages Waterside made desperate efforts to equalise, but the nearest they went to scoring was when Longbottom shot from ■ close quarters. Ho narrowly missed goaling. ■