SOCCER

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 47, 23 August 1930, Page 22

SOCCER

By "Vanguard"

WELLINGTON WIN

MATCH WITH CANTERBURY

VISITORS SOUNDLY BEATEN

The first representative match of tho season to bo played at Wellington, that between Wellington and Canterbury, produced football that was, generally speaking, considerably below interproyincial standard. Though Wellington won 3-0, their performance was not at all a bright one, but, as is often the case, they were a winning team which did not do its best till extended. Canterbury were outclassed mainly in tho forward lino, but in tho backs, fielded as good a pair as the local side. In tho halves, there was not the marked difference that existed in the forwards, but, if anything, "Wellington's halves were tho superior. As far as goal-keepers were concerned, the visiting custodian showed on occasions that he had an appreciation for the finer points of the game; the Wellington goalie was not called on to the extent that the Canterbury man was. In tactics, there was little that was attractive. Wellington worked on the same lines practically from start to finish, and their opponents were content to try and score only when the opportunity offered. They did not possess tho ability to make the openings, and even when the opportunities came their way did not make the most of them. In the first quarter, Canterbury threatened seriously, but after that were never a very serious combination, except on isolated occasions. Their attacks lacked sting, and, individually, the team was not in the same class with their opponents. At half-time Wellington led, 2-0, but only put on one goal in tho second spell. Thero were times when the visitors came very near to netting, but the defence was more than equal to tho occasion. Interest lagged, more or less, in the second half, and play became very dull at times. ' The Canterbury van came up with a reputation, but. it was soon apparent that they could not stand up to the solid work of the Wellington backs. F. Smith, the centre-forward, of big build, came to grief nearly every time he met the Wellington defence. His wings wero only average, but the inside men were better. In A. Sutherland, tho centre-half, Canterbury possess a player of outstanding ability. He was one of tho best on the day's play. Bristow and M'Leod were not in the same class. Both backs, Lorimer and Cawtheray, played a very solid game, and as for the majority of the time Wellington were attacking, they had plenty to do. Each showed that ho could kick powerfully, and tho manner in which Canterbury defended generally was a matter for commendation. Mitchell, in goal, proved a solid 'keeper, some of his saves being very fine indeed. He was called upon a good deal, arid, on the whole, did well. Ho was .not sure with high shots. Parkin, the local custodian, had very littlo to do. The backs, Guest and Abernethy, rarely made a mistake. They certainly did not have much to extend them, but their play was sound. Of tho halves, Campbell, the centre, was spectacular, but he did not have matters all his own way. J. M'Leod, in the right position, was very helpful. Of the forwards, Jeffreys, if alone' from the fact that he scored all three goals, must bo given recognition. It must not be forgotten, though, that two of them came about as the result of good work by R. M'Leod, tho fast winger, whose centres w.ero well placed and accurately timed. In his third effort, Jeffreys figured in solo work, and deserved full credit for his actions. Cudby, on tho other wing, was far from his usual self. Condon and Smith, the inside men, were a solid pair, and though neither shone, they proved to be good workers. Easy for Thistle. At Kilbirnie Reserve, tho strong-go-ing Thistle returned a somewhat easy victory over a weakened Swifts' team, which battled ono man short for the whole ninety minutes. Thistle had first lease of the light breeze, and had Swifts fighting_with their backs to the wall to keep 'out the eager "blue" quintette. When two goals fell soon after the commencement, it seemed a question of just how many Thistle would score. Only alertness on the part of .Forbes, the Swifts' custodian, and heroic defending by Hillock and Dainty, kept the scoring in this half within reasonable limits. Montgomery, finding back play devoid of thrills, moved up in the forwards, and imparted some punch with such effect that two more goals were added to the Thistle count boforo the interval. While Hopper and his halves had a fairly easy time generally, Swifts were not without their opportunities, and might have reduced the leeway with a, bit of luck. Kelly caught the eye most in the front rank, with Dickson toiling hard but unsuccessfully. In the second spell, each side registered twice, and play was more even as a rule. Features of this half were the first-time hefty clearances of Hopper, the goalkoping of both custodians, and the combination effected by the Thistle halves and forwards. Littlo attempt was made, however1, to increase the margin of scoring, the Blues apparently being satisfied to jugglo with tho ball towards tho close. For Swifts, Bloomficia and Bradford improved as the game progressed, while the Thistle eleven proved very even individually. As a mark of respect to their late comrade and centre forward, Jack O'Shea, Swifts' players wore a black armlet. > Good Pinish. Tho trite saying that no gamo is lost until it is won was exemplified to tho full on Saturday last at Kelburn Park. Lower Hutt and Technical College Old Boys woro playing a second division league game. The former team, only ten men strong, although on tho whole having tho better of tho game, were down to their opponents by one goal to three, and, as there was only about ten minutes to go, it looked as if they were a beaten team. But almost before tho half-dozen or so spectators knew what had happened Lower Hutt was actually leading by four goals to three, and there seemed to bo justification for thinking that they had achieved a last minute win. But Technical College Old Boys sprang tho final surprise just before the whistle went for the last time and notched a fourth goal, thereby making a draw of a game which for an exciting finish would be hard to beat. Except for its closing stages, the game was not remarkable. Tho chief featuro of the earlier" stages was tho rcmarkablo frequency with which the Lower Hutt forwards shot at goal only to hit tho cross bar, miss altogether, or to have the shot caught and cleared by the goalkeeper. With

any luck they should have scored quite a number of times, and on the run of the play were perhaps unlucky in not achieving a win, especially as they wore short of their best half and had several other players away too. However, in this respect last time these two teams met the boot was on _ the other leg, so it worked out fairly. Nicolle and Jessup were very conspicuous amongst the Hutt forwards, thelatter especially doing a lot of haxd work. Bntcholor, on the left wing, also put in some useful work, , and Grunclwell lent able support. Poole, in the centre, was the weak link in the chain. Hutt's back division was weakened by absentees, and found it hard to cope with Maemillan, Torrington, and the other opposing forwards. The two Technical College Old Boys' backs, Bogunda and Edwards, were sound, as was also Bcdinond in goal. Boys' Football. Monday will usher in a week of interest to boya, and to followers of boys' football. Tho primary schools North Island tournament is to commence on 26th August, at Palmerston North, and the North Island secondary schools tourney is to start at Wellington on 29th August. The programme for the events is as follows: — Primary Schools Tournament: Monday, 25th August—Teams from Auckland, Waikato, Wellington, and Manawatu asemble at Palmerston North. Meeting of delegates in the afternoon. Tuesday, 26th August—Auckland play Wellington; Waikato play Manawatu. Ist round. Wednesday, 27th August —Auckland play Waikato, Wellington play Manawatu, 2nd round. Thursday, 28th August—Auckland play Manawatu, Wellington play Waikato, 3rd round. Friday, 29th August—North plays South, 10-11.30 a.m. in order to make the final selection of the team for the North Island to play the South Island at Wellington, on Saturday, 30th August, at the Basin Bcserve. The Wellington primary schools are at prsent the holders of the- Webster Shield for the North Island. North Island Secondary Schools' Tournament: Friday, 29th August—Manawatu v. Wellington, Basin Beserve, 3 pjn. Saturday, 30th August—Auckland v. Wellington, Basin Keserve. Senior Grade. Wellington v. Auckland, Basin Beserve. Junior Grade. Monday, Ist September —Manawatu v. Auckland, Basin Eeserve. Things to Remember. ■ All followers of tho game should make a study of the laws that govern our Soccer code, states an exchange. If players would act as gentlemen and treat their opponents as such, many of tho regrettable scenes that are so often witnessed at football matches would not occur. Players, club officials, and the public should remember that it is not playing tlie game to molest or shout improper remarks at a referee during the course of a game, as the difficult natu of the referee's duties requires all that attention that he can posibly give in order to administer the laws with fairness to all concerned. It is impossible for a, referee to please everybody; remember his difficult position, and do not mako it more so. Striking an opponent is an offence for which a player can be ordered to leave the field. Very often this has been the cause of many disturbances, and any player who has any respect for the game would nevxsr do it, as such conduct has a tendemey to lower its standing and sportsmanship. A player who retaliates when fouled is equally liable to punishment. A player may inquire from a referee as to his decision, but he is not entitled to dispute any such decision. A referee- is required to treat the breach of this instruction as ungentlemanly behaviour (International Board, 14th Juno, 1924). Do no* worry the referee if a player gets injured and tho referee does not stop the* game until the ball lias ceased to be in play. (If, in the opinion of the referee, a player has been seriously injured, the game shall be stopped, the player at once removd from tho field of play, and the game resumed. If a player is slightly injured tho gamo shall not be stopped until tho ball has ceased to bo in play.— (International Board, 14tk June. 1924.) Players should mot follow the referee about claiming for an award, for once an award has been, made all the claiming in the world wtill not alter it. Players should avoid using foul language towards a referee, for tho law defines it as violent conduct, for which a player can be ordered off the field of play without a previous caution. There is a practice >f players yelling or making other noises with thie object of putting cither the goalkeepetr or the kicker at a disadvantage. :Be gentlemen, and treat your opponents as such. The powers of a referee extend to offences committed -when the play has been temporarily suspended, and when the ball is out.of pJay. The referee shall give fa signal before all kicks awarded are taken during the course of the game. That signal is generally given by the blowing of the whistle. Beferecs should be notified before the start of the game by the captains of both teams if it is fjheir desire to play less than the time specified in the laws —i.e., 90 minutes. The referee is distinctly authorised to prevent deliberate waste of time. Charging is a subject about which there are many opinions. It is a feature of the game that law 9 specially declares to be per- | missible, and the referee has to take' tho laws as his orders, but the charging must not be violent nor dangerous. A player having onco taken part in a game is not allowed to leave the field of play without tho consent of tho referee unless it is a casa of illness or accident. Q-ame in Berlin. In view of the repoirts of the brilliance of German Association footballers and the defeats of British touring- teams on the Conjtlinent in recent years, special importance and interest attaciiod to the meeting of Germany and England at Berlin. The English side which beat Scotland in such brilliant fashion could do no more- than draw, but there are .extenuating circumstances, for Marsclen, tho English wing half-back, was badly injured in a collision with Goodwill near tho end of tho first half, and was absent throughout the second. The injury to Marsdcn has been revealed by S-ray to bo a slight fracture at the base of the skull, and is not so seffious as was at first feared. An operation appears to be unnecessary, but ho "will liavo to remain in hospital for at least a fortnight. After tho accident he staggered forward clutching tho back of his head, but then steadied himself, and remained on tho field lantil half-time, collapsing during the interval. When Marsdcn was injured E-n.gland was leading by 2 goals to 1, and crossed over with t-liis advantage. Bradford had scored for England in U minutes. L. Hoffman equalised, and Watson xecov-

crod the lead for tho visitors. One short in tho second half, the English side fought manfully against the fierce attacks of tlio fast-moving German forwards, but Ij. Hoffman equalised, and ft. Hoffman gave tho Germans tho lead. England recovered magnificently, however, and Jack equalised. The football of tho English side was decidedly superior to that of tho Germans, who were, however, fast and stubborn, and obviously included in their ranks men who would make players of the highest class. Despite the disparity in numbers in the second half, the Germans did not last out so well as their opponents, and during the later period the Englishmen should have- scored more than once. Their work, though pretty to watch, and an object lesson in clever manoeuvring, was, unfortunately, ineffective. For quite a long period of the game the Englishmen seemed thrown out of their stride by a type of football to which they were quite unaccustomed, but they should have won. The attendance was estimated at 50,000, and the gate receipts amounted_ to about £2500, of which the English F.A. will receive approximately £1500.