SOCCER

Evening Post, Volume CXIV, Issue 38, 13 August 1932, Page 24

SOCCER

f» "Vanguard"

SEASON'S PROGRESS

AULD MEMORIAL CUP

AUCKLAND TOURING SIDE

It is many years since such.a bad' clay as last Saturday was experienced in local Soccer circles. In spite of the weather, however, the teams in the main game at the Basin Eeserve gave a good display, Marist were . eliminated by Diamond in the semi-final of the Auld Cup, and Diamond and Waterside now meet in the final. This season's, programme is well advanced. To-day, Auckland meets Wellington, and nest Saturday Marist travel to Hamilton to play in the North Island; final of the Chatham Cup. The New Zealand final of the cup will be played on 3rd September at Wellington. Waterside's Winning Way. It would be difficult to imagine worso weather conditions than those which prevailed when Waterside and. Petoj-6 met m their Auld Memorial «emi-final at the Basin Eeserve. tinder such circumstances no excuses need be offered if the players at times were powerless to stop,the ball or transfer it with any sense of direction or distance. Indeed it seemed more than they could do to keep a footing on the treacherous turf. anJ it is a tribute to both teams that a hard-fought game did not develop into a farcical exhibition. Notable absentees were the respective centre-halves. For Waterside, the consistently improved McLellan deputised for Haines in no uncertain fashion while Hanlon bore the brunt in tho Petone middle line. A nasty knock m the first half curtailed his usefulness, though, in common with the others, he pluckily carried on. Waterside had the advantage in the first spell of the force of the elements, but the fast-tra-velling ball on a slippery ground upset all calculations. Brown and Haines set up a determined resistance, and kept the eager town forwards baek1 by keen tackling. At this stage, McVean proved the saviour of his side, gathering the greasy ball in sure hands, and it was only by means of a penalty that his charge ultimately felL Eetone forwards put up ,a good game against the wind. Dunlop was the "grafter," but the most successful on tho day's play was Blair at outside right, who crossed strongly arid wasted not a single corner. The Waterside backs, however, saw to it that Porteous was seldom troubled. ■■■ ■. As the visitors' were but one goal down at the interval, it seemed a foregone conclusion that, with the elements in their favour, they would soon even matters and go ahead without any trouble, but such a prophecy was well wide of the mark.; From the re-start, Waterside struck a game, and defied the wjnd and sleet. The forwards showed splendid ball control, and with quick, short passing along the carpet, pierced the defence at will. As,a wing,1 Dunsmuir and Patterson: excelled, while McLeod had a field-day at centre, netting four goals in brilliant fashion. The halves kept their positions perfectly, and by similar tactics, fed their forwards with a low, well-timed ball. The backs tackled first-time, blocking all, attempts at close shooting, while Porteous dealt capably with the long range shots that came his way. "By their meritorious five to one victory, Watersiders now qualify to meet Diamond, the cup-hold-ers, in the"- final. , The English Trophy. It is a matter for congratulation that the Otago representatives have been successful for the second time in the history of the F.A. Trophy in having the province's name inscribed on the roll of honour, ; says the "Otaao Daily Times." - The final challenge for the season, played against Auckland on Saturday at Logan Park, provided a great struggle in the mud, Otago drawing the scares'level about five minutes to timo and thus 'retaining the trophy, after an exciting finish. Since 1926, when the trophy was first competed for, tho Otago representatives have left their mark on Soccer in the Dominion, having won 5, lost 3, and drawn 2 out of the 10 trophy games played. The record of the matches is as follows—l 926: Defeated Wellington 3-2, Canterbury 4nil, lost to Auckland 4-3, 1927: Lost to Auckland 2-1 and to Canterbury 3-1; defeated Wellington 3-2.. Otago did not take' part in the competition .'during the seasons 1928, 1929, and 1930. 1931: Defeated Wellington 4-3, winning the trophy that year. 1932: Defeated Canterhury 3-2, drew with Wellington 2-2 and Auckland 2-2. During these years Auckland held the trophy for five years in succession, and, in view of Otago's record this year, she can justly lay claim to being the premier province "of tho Dominion. The Hardest. Of the three matches played this season, that against Auckland proved to be the hardest proposition, but Otago's form in Saturday's game showed them to be a greatly improved side in contrast with their display in the two previous games. One characteristic of the Otago team is its great fighting spirit. This was evident in the 1931 game with Wellington, when, after being twice in the position of being one goal down during the play, tho team staged a great recovery to run out winners. Similarly on Saturday, when Auckland appeared to have the game in hand the local side again rose to the occasion to stall off Auckland's challenge by drawing the scores level in the last five minutes. Despite the wet and greasy conditions under which the game was played, the standard of football was 'good, although many of the passes from both sets of players were held up by the muddy surface. On tho day, Otago had slightly the better of the play, which was remarkable for poor shooting, Auckland being less proficient in this respect than Otago. Both sets of rear divisions maintained an advantage over the attack. The inclusion of Moon at left-half made for a great improvement in Otago's intermediate line, whilst McCormaek proved its best forward in his new position at insideleft. Auckland were without doubt a fine ■team. They positioned well, and their passing was superior to that of the holders, who, however, displayed better stiooting ability, Zuill having considerably more to do than McDougall. The challengers appeared more fit, and were much faster on tho ball than the local players. There was a good understanding between their halves and fullbacks, a point that was missing in Otago's rearguard. A Good Goalie. Auckland were well served by Zuill in goal, who had no chance- with either of Hooper's two goals. At,full-back,

Stone and Gerrard were a fine pair, but | they did- not have the same support' as did the Otago backs i'roin their halves. . Christie, at centre, handled his team well, keeping liis men in position all through the game, and he was a factor in forcing the attack when his team was one goal up. Morrison, at right-half, early caught the eye as a strong player who tackled and placed well. Grant, on the opposite wing, shone more as a breaker-up, but Hislop, at in-side-left, proved a great forager, feeding his clever wing mate, Wood, with niPPy passes. This wing was the most dangerous. The forwards throughout had some nice touches, notwithstanding the greasy surface, and had better cohesion than the Otago line. Their opening 'move at the start of the second spell- was cleverly worked, but Taylor's judgment saved the situation for Otago. Hislop was the star member of the line, quick in sizing up the position; he and Wood kept Chapman and Taylor fully occupied in stemming attacking movements. MacLeay and'Blackio were not so prominent, whilst Innes, on the right wing, did not have a great many opportunities, but he always made good play from what came his way. The Otago forwards did not show their true pace until well on in the game. McCormack worked hard throughout, and although he was inclined to wander, he gave Duncan plenty of the ball. McCormack had a hand in the play which brought about his side's two goals. Duncan, through a knock sustained early in the play, did not show his usual form until well on ia the ; game, when he and McCormack combined well and had the Auckland defence in trouble. The left wing pair, Proctor and Balk, did not reproduce the form they have shown in club football this season. The Last Pass. In the first half many, of Proctor's [passes went astray in the mud, but it i was his finalpass to Hooper which en- \ abled the centre to open Otago's-tally. Hooper, on the whole, did not get many opportunities-and he did not always keep his position, but his two goals were taken in his usual characteristic style. The half line worked har.d throughout, and were the strongest division of the team, with Chapman and Moon outstanding. Chapman always kept well in touch with the play, and played well into. the goal area. Brown, who tired- towards the finish, played better in the two previous. games. Taylor, although he made some bad misses at times, played and kicked well. Anderson was- slow in covering up Moon, there being \no apparent understanding between them. McDougall in goal again played soundly, making no mistakes, but Tiad not so much to do as ZuilL In ' view of next season's matches, the selectors will", need to look ahead and bring out some of the younger players, and the forthcoming match with Southland would be a good opportunityto try out promising talent and give them experience. ' Auckland and Wellington are building up their teams with an eye to the, future, and when next season comes "round they should be in a position to placo in the field a team of experienced players. The Chatham Cup. Followers'; of the round ball code. Mil | have a great match to interest them on 20th August, when the Chatham Cup final for the South Island will be played at Logan Park. Maori Hill, the Dunedin finalists, will meet the W>3st Coast club, Millerton, which defeated Thistle of Christchurch by 3 goals to 1 on Saturday last, says the "Otago Daily Times."'- According to information re-j ceived locally, this* club is c'onsidere"ir; to be the best that has been seen in Christchurch, and it deservedly, won on its merits. In the North Island final, Marist, who represent Wellington,-have to play at Hamilton, and the-New Zealand final is due to be played at Wellington on 3rd September. The local finalists, Maori Hill, havo proved themselves to be an.all-round solid'side, and on their form are confidently expected to secure the honours" on Saturday week. Mr. F.\ G. Smith has been selected as referee for the match.