ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 140, 15 June 1936, Page 14

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

i HIGH STANDARD IN TRIAL GAME

TECHNICAL'S BIG WIN IN B DIVISION

No first A division Soccer championship games were played on Saturday, as twenty-two players selected from the eight senior elevens battled for representative honours in a Possibles-Probables match at'the Basin Reserve. Possibles, who appeared the stronger team on paper, showed that their superiority was not merely theoretical by defeating Probables by 5 goals to 3 in a match full of incident. There' was little between the two'teams, and the selector's task of rejecting every second man of the twenty-two was not an enviable one.

Championship games in the first B division resulted in the continued progress of the leading teams. Technical Old Boys ran up 10 goals to Mirainar Rangers' 1, and Lower Hutt 6 to Onslow's 1. Scottish Wanderers beat Rovers 3-1, and Island Bay showed their siyieriority over Nada by a 5-2 win. Conditions on all grounds were ideal for football.

RESULTB AT A GLANCE. Flrtt A Representative Trial. 'PoMlbles 5 Probables 3 First B Division. Technical 0.8. .. 10 : Miramar Bangers . 1 Island Bay .... 5 Nada * 2 Scottish Wanderers 3 Rovors .......... 1 lower Hutt .... 6 Onslow ......... 1 CHAMPIONSHIP TABLE. First B Division. Goals. Cb. r. W. L. D. IV A.Pts. Technical 0.8. .. 8 8 — — 42 11 16 Scot. Wanderers . T (i 1 — 32 8 12 lower Hutt ...... 8 5 3 — 31 19 10 Island Bay . 1 3 3 1 18 18 7 Nada 8 12 5 1 23" 27 5 Miramar '• Bangers 6 2 4 —, id 32 4 KoYers 6 1- 4 1.12:20 3 Onslow 8 — I I 7 43 1

THE TRIAL MATCH PLENTY OE TALENT POSSIBLES' DESERVED WIN Proof that there is no lack of talent in Wellington first A division Soccer was afforded by the performance of every player in the trial match. Individually little fault could be found, but: more surprising was the heights to which the combination frequently rose.' Brilliant cohesion is riot expected from, players drawn from different clubs- and playing together for the first time, and lt.would have given no cause for disappointment had ,)he Possibles and Probables been deficient" in combined effort, Actually their teamwork was often a long way ahead of that of many club elevens in Wellington. The sides were:— POSSIBLES. Goal: Turkin'gton (Marist). .Backs: Miles (Hospital) and Haines (Petone). Halves: Todd '(Hospital), Jeffery (Hospital), and Simon (Hospital). Forwards: Wilson (Seatoun), Kershaw (Marist), Webster (Hospital), McKenzie (Seatoun), , and Gendall (Seatoun). PROBABLES. Goal: Parton (Seatoun). Backs: Laracy (Marist) . and Hopper (Diamond). Halves: Hindle (Marist), Longbottom .(Waterside), and Cocks (Waterside). Forwards: Gibb (Hospital), Heath '(Swifts), Leslie; - (Petone), .'Hatchard (Marist), and Woods (Hospital). Referee: Mr. G. Forbes. Throughout the game Possibles were always at least one goal ahead. At half-time they led 3-2, and despite a continued offensive by the Probables for the greater part of the second spell, Possibles improved their lead to 5-3 at full time. Greater strength in every division was the reason s for their win. Gendall and McKenzie were the stronger wing of the Possibles' forwards, despite the close attention given them by the opposing backs. Gendall wasas skilful as ever, and McKenzie, not as clever, made up for it by being ever in the fray. He was the-hardest worker on the side, and with Heath the hardest worker on the field. The understanding existing between Gendall, McKenzie, and Webster was always a delight to the spectators. Wilson, on the right wing, showed a definite improvement in his shooting, and Kershaw, 'at inside right, was continually a menace to Parton. Of the Hospital half line nothing need be-said except that they played their - usual efficient. game, and were the mainstay of the team. Miles and Haines, the representative full-backs, were also very sound, and will be better still with some practice together. In goal Turkington played without a mistake.' He was better than Parton, but "had, of course, a sounder defence in front of him. Outstanding in the Probables eleven was Heath, the nuggety Swifts inside right. With the crafty Gibb on his wing, and the dashing Leslie at centre, Heath was the mainspring of the Probables' forwards. He initiated attack after attack, and took a prominent part in most of them. He well deserved selection in the Wellington eleven. Gibb and Leslie showed their old-time skill, though the former was a little slow. Hatchard and Woods were disappointingly inconspicuous. They were closely marked by the other side, and received little of the ball from their own men, but on the rare occasions ( they did get going were always difficult, if not impossible, to stop. Hindle, Longbottom, and Cocks were a hard-working half trio, with Cocks standing out slightly more than the other two, though Longbottom came into prominence now and then with a disconcerting long shot. At full-back' Laracy and Hopper played capably, but found the Pos-. sibles' T*fenguard sometimes more than they could cope with, leaving the final effort to Parton. The Seatoun goalie was not on form, and despite the fact that he made some magnificent saves he has done better in club matches. On Saturday's form, McKenzie (Seatoun), Cocks (Waterside), and Turkington (Marist) may be counted unlucky to miss selection.

FIRST B DIVISION TECHNICAL WALK AWAY The magnitude of the score piled up against Miramar Rangers at Crawford Green by Technical Colege Old Boys —10-I—makes comment difficult; the Technical forwards shone because they had little opposition, and Miramar were so disorganised by the frequency of the attacks that they could not do themselves justice. Although the ' scoring was consistent and heavy, Miramar ■were by no means out of the picture, and often had the defence rattled. The teams were:— Technical College Old . Boys.—Redmond; Pullen, Parker; A. Gates, Beedle, N. Gates; M. Liddicoat, Stewart, R. Liddicoat, Torrington, Prosser.Miramar Rangers.—Tonks; Hicks, Coveney; Verity, Taylor Smith;. B. Donoghue, J. Donoghue, Henderson,. Niven, Allott. . Technical staged many, crisp shortpassing attacks that were admirable in their restraint and initiative, particularly as much of Miramar's tackling was vigorous. Miramar were penalised at the start by the absence of' two

men, and the temporary shuffling of places possibly accounted for the lack of good positional play later on. Miramar were often disturbing in the first session, but all three goals scored against them were comfortable. It. Liddicoat opened his ultimately large account by paralysing the defence with a tricky swerve, and he added another goal before the spell, Torrington netting with a beautiful drive in the meantime. The second half was a sad procession for Miramar. Their promising movements went astray, and the racy Technical forwards trounced the worried backs. Liddicoat landed four more, good goals, Torrington brought his total to three, and N. Gates, a Consistently clever worker, put a warm one through. Hicks, bustling rightback for Miramar, tried his foot at centre-forward, and succeeded in ramming home a pile-driver, leaving the final score at: Technical College 0.8. .... 10 Miramar Rangers 1 Mr. J. Banks was referee.

NADA DEFEATED In a match devoid of any high lights Island Bay defeated Nada by 5 goals to 2 at Wakefield Park on Saturday. The teams were:— Island Bay.—McLean; Salisbury, Hicks; Hardie, Long, Todd; Wrigley, Finnigan, Mclvor, Osborne. Webb. Nada.—Guppy; Lovatt, Ronald; P. Quirke, Rolls, Swinburne; Corrin, C. Quirke, Walker, Devereaux, Atkinson, Referee: Mr. R. Inch. . Island Bay won the toss and had a high wind and the sun behind them when Nada put the ball in play. Indiscriminate kicking by both teams kept the play see-sawing up and down the field. From a corner kick Osborne netted Island Bay's first score. Island Bay 1, Nada 0. The next goal came when Mclvor drew Nada's 'keeper out and tapped the ball into the net. Island Bay 2, Nada 0. In the remainder of the . spell first one team and then the- other was attacking, but the defences held.

On changing over the game livened up considerably, but concerted play by both teams was conspicuous by its absence. Mclvor soon increased Island Bay's total to 3to nil. Nada now took a serious turn at attacking, and Walker kicked a great goal. Island Bay 3, Nada 1. Mclvor immediately retaliated and added his third goal. Island Bay 4, Nada 1. Once again Nada attacked, and a pretty centre from Atkinson to Walker gave the latter his second goal. Island Bay 4, Nada 2. A little later a scramble in front of Nada's goal allowed Wrigley to score, and at the final whistle the score was: Island Bay 5, Nada 2.

WANDERERS BEAT ROVERS At North Park Scottish Wanderers had no great difficulty : in beating Rovers by 3 goals to 1. The teams were:— Scottish Wanderers. —Gibbins; Jordan, Cunningham; McKeen, White, Murray; Coveny, McNaughton, Gray, Fleming,. Jupp. Rovers.—Newton; Fishburn, Cordiner; Chandler, Marshall, Chapman; Wood, A. Cartmell, Dunn, Watson, R. Cartmell. Referee.—Mr. J. Duncan. The Wanderers' more concerted efforts were a marked feature of the game, some of their movements starting from the full-back position and travelling right down the wing. , These tactics proved most disconcerting to the Rovers defence, whose efforts to counter-attack were quickly negatived by the excellent tackling of the Wanderers' hard-working half line. However, Cartmell and Watson on the Rovers' left displayed an understanding which often had Jordan guessing, but Gibbins was reliable in the Wanderers' goal. Gray's opportunism was in evidence when he snapped up two chances and made no mistake with-a penalty kick. Wanderers were never really harassed during the game.

ONSLOW V . HUTT Football of a poor standard was played at Nairnville Park by Lower Hutt and Onslow. At no time during the game did play reach the standard expected of First B teams. The sides were:-— Onslow. — Stockdale; Kcndrick, Tutty; Dear, H. Stevens, E. Stevens; Websteri Dougal, Campbell, Bethell, and Moses. Hutt.—Moyes; Moore, J. Butland; Rudolph, R. Butland, Murphy; Murray, McLellan, Halley, Cross, and Stobbs. Referee.—-Mr. Devon. Hutt won the toss and took advantage of the wind and sun. After ten minutes of lifeless midfield play Halley sent a soft one past Stockdale, and shortly after Murray added No. 2 with a good drive. Aimless kicking was indulged in by both, teams. Hutt increased their lead to 3-0, Cross scoring with a good shot, and Halley added the fourth. Onslow were awarded a penalty with which Dougal succeeded in making the score 4-1. Stobbs broke through just before halftime and scored a very doubtful goal. The score ■tit half-time was Hutt 5, Onslow 1. Play in the second half was still poor, neither side attempting any combined movements; the very unorthodox tackling by the Onslow players was frequently penalised. Murray succeeded in adding another goal to Hutt's total to make the final score Hutt 6, Onslow 1. SECOND A DIVISION HOSPITAL V. SWIFTS Swifts defeated Hospital by 4 goals to 3 in the second A division match on Saturday. The teams were evenly matched, but Hospital missed several good chances to score in the first spell. At half-time the score was: Swifts 2, Hospital 2. On resuming, both teams fought hard. Bradford, of Swifts, and Leacock, of Hospital, both made good saves.- The scorers for Swifts were:

Kelly (2), Bradford (penalty), and Wilson. Stanbridge scored 3 good goals for Hospital. LOWER DIVISIONS SECOND A DIVISION. Korokoro 3, Diamond 2. Institute 0.8. 4, Waterside 3. Seatoun 4, Marist 3. SECOND B DIVISION. Scottish Wanderers 4, Slop Out 2. Onslow 4, Lower Hutt 2. Wadestown 3, Marist 1. Island Bay, a bye. Nada 3, Tech. 0.8. 3. FOURTH DIVISION. Marist 12, Onslow 0. Institute 0.5. 4, Technical 0.8. 2. Waterside 9, Korokoro 1. Petone 4, Diamond 0. Lower Hutt, a bye. FIFTH DIVISION. Diamond 4, Swifts 3. Seatoun 2, Marist 2. Technical College A 5, Boys' Institute 0. Waterside 4, Technical College B 4. Mirainar Rangers 2, Scottish Wanderers 1. SIXTH DIVISION. Technical College A 7, Swifts 0. Diamond 2, Technical College B 2. Seatoun 6, Nada 0. Onslow 2, Marist 1. Stop Out, a bye. SEVENTH DIVISION. Seatoun 6, Swifts 0. Miramar Rangers 6, Onslow 0. Marist Thorndon 10, Wadestown 0. Boys Institute, a bye. EIGHTH DIVISION. Seatoun A 3, Diamond 2. Marist Thorndon 5, Boys' Institute 1. Seatoun B, a bye. NINTH DIVISION. Miramar Rangers 3,, Diamonds 2. The match between Marist Thorndon and Boys' Institute was won by Thorndon by default. HUTT VALLEY LEAGUE SENIOR GRADE. Stop Out 3, Petone Technical College 0. Upper Hutt United won by default from Lower Hutt. Petone, a bye; Lower Hutt Scouts, a bye. JUNIOR GRADE. Stop Out 2, Petone Technical College 0. Rovers defaulted to Upper Hutt United. Petone 7, Anglican Home 0. INTER-HOUSE LEAGUE. The fourth series of games in the Inter-House League on Saturday resulted as follows: — N.Z. Canister Co., 1 (Anker), Brymay 0. Lewis Bergers 3 (Ritchie, Buchanan, and Swinson 1 each), Hibbert, Burns, and Son 1 (Robertson). Championship points are:—N.Z. Canister 8, Bergers 4, Brymay 2, Hibbert, Burns 2.

THE REP. ELEVEN SELECTOR'S CHOICE TO PLAY AUSTRALIA Wellington's representative Soccer team to play the Australian visitors on the King's Birthday, June 23, was announced by the W.F.A. sole selector (Mr. George F. Aers) on Saturday as follows: — Goal: Par ton (Seatoun). Backs: Miles (Hospital), Haines (Petone). Halves: Todd (Hospital), Jeffery (Hospital), Simon (Hospital). Forwards: Heatb (Swifts), Webster (Hospital), Leslie (Petone), Hatchard (Marist), Gendall (Seatoun). Reserve: Longbottom (Waterside). FEW SURPRISES The eleven chosen by Mr. Aers will cause little surprise to those who have been following the game this season. The inclusion of Heath in the outsideright position is the most unexpected decision, fcrnt those who saw this shrewd Swifts man at work in the trial game on Saturday afternoon will agree that he played his way into the representative team. On .form this season, Turkington has been better than Parton, but the difference is slight, and the selector has possibly been actuated by the desire to give Parton experience in representative games, so as to have two seasoned goalkeepers for Wellington. The backs can be excelled by none here and the Hospital half-line was the obvious choice. Leslie, Hatchard, and Gendall were the only men for their respective positions, and though Heath and Webster may not be so strong as the other wing, they could not be bettered.

In choosing the eleven Mr. Aers probably had in mind the fitness of each man to adapt himself to the particular type of game to be used against the visitors. —"Vanguard."

SELECTION CRITICISED "Whilst recognising the fact of the unenviable task confronting Mr. Aers in his team-selecting," writes "Albion Rover," "many Soccer enthusiasts cannot agree with his judgment. "The trial game was played to remove any doubt in the selector's mind. The twenty-two players on view were regarded as the best in local circles. No position was a dead certainty. At least, that should have been the case, but this does not appear to be so.

"Let us take the inside-left position. I cannot agree with 'Vanguard's' statement that Hatchard was the only choice for the berth. On the day's play Hatchard was easily the poorest player on the field, and he has gone into the team purely on reputation. This savours of favouritism. Despite this handicap McKenzie played a great game, and his was one of the finest expositions of inside-left play seen on the Basin for many years. In fact, McKenzie was the finest player on view. It was his skilful display that provided Gendall with the' chance of selection, which was not due to Gendall's own individual work. Why weaken the combination by bringing in Hatchard is the puzzle. McKenzie's deft passing both to his wing-partner and to his centre were the acme of perfection, and the same goes for his coolness in front of goal. Why shift a constructive inside player like Heath to the wing to accommodate a player who is purely a centre-forward or an outsideleft? This shuffling is not conducive to the creating of good combination in the forward line. Moreover, Heath is a great worker and that is all the more reason why he should not be put out on the line.

"The only other wrong choice was that of goalkeeper," continues "Albion Rovers" "On the day's play Turkington was the only possible choice. He was' not exactly a 'star,' but he was 'streets ahead' of Parton. Both made mistakes but Parton is a spectacular type of goalkeeper, and they are never reliable and safe. It is quite a good idea to foster the youngsters, but despite this idea, the best side must be chosen. The prestige of Wellington Soccer must be kept up as the game is in the doldrums.

'Another error of judgment was the

playing of Gibb and Webster in different forward lines. Gibb has been Webster's mentor and both are well versed in each other's moves. Together .they might have improved on their displays. Combination is the great thing in Soccer, not individualism."

STRENGTH OR SKILL? "Your Soccer reporter's comments upon the selected team reads well," writes "Clever Soccer," "until we come to the last paragraph, which reads as follows: 'In choosing the eleven Mr. Aers probably had in mind the fitness of each man to adapt himself to the particular type of game to be used against the visitors.'

"The type of game as played in New Zealand, or at least, in Wellington, is of playing the man in preference to playing the bal, and this class of football has been responsible for keeping the game back, as it completely smothers the scientific side of the game.

"Let us compare the styles of two teams that play in our senior grade. We have the Hospital team who, by hard and often rough tactics, simply scare their opponents. What player is there who cares to stop one of 'Ginger' Thompson's wild rushes or Todd and Jeffery's unnecessarily hard tackles? Can anyone call either of the latter players real feeders, as a half-back should ba? More often than not they bang the ball hard up the field and their forwards make a blind sweep on the opposing backs. Certainly it has paid this last two seasons, but is it the type of football that tends to make the game popular?

"Now, let us take the Marist team and the type of football they play. Their backs certainly are of a robust type with no beg pardons about them, but they do not use their weight unnecessarily. Their halves, too, tackle with the idea of getting the ball, and their distribution of the leather is done with precision and always with a purpose. Their combination for years past among the forwards has been one of the bright spots of Soccer. "Hospital last year simply smashed their way to the final of the Chatham Cup as vßarnsley did in winning the English Cup years ago, but no one called Barnsley a team of footballers. Simon is in a different category to Todd and Jeffery, and this lad does deserve the honour.

"Now, the question is, do we want to see a repetition of what happened at Athletic Park many years ago. Many of us still say that that match put Soccer back ten years. . . . New Zealand played the man and the Australians Played them at their own game. Are Todd and Jeffery picked with the idea of playing that type of game or are they to be given instructions to play football? Isn't Hindle of more use to a set of forwards than Todd, and even young Foley : plays more footbal lthan Jeffery, without mentioning Longbottom. Why is Webster included at inside-right when he plays centreforward? What was wrong with Kershaw or Thompson (Waterside)? Both are small, admittedly, but against a team that plays football they would show up well. ... ~,,'' "I feel sure the Australians will have something to show us, ? f they are allowed to do so, as the visit of the English team some years ago improved Australian Soccer wonderfully."

erom the side line PLAYERS AND THE GAMES The only redeeming feature in the Island Bay-Nada match was that bom teams were able to keep themselves warm. It was a poor display, both teams being apparently frightened of each other. There was no attempt at team' play, only indiscriminate kicking and trusting to luck that the ball would reach another player of the same team. Tackling had evidently been lost or forgotten. The remarks of the supporters of both teams were illuminating if disparaging. # * * # For the Island Bay team Mclvor, although hot on his usual form, was able to kick three goals. # • » # Both full-backs, Salisbury and Hicks, saved Island Bay several times, but their attempts at placing the ball upfield were weak. *♦• m • Hardie, right-half for the Bay, was the best player in his team. • * * • Lovatt, Ronald, and P. Quirke stood up to a lot of work but through lack of team play on the part of the rest of Nada's side were weakening towards the end of the game. « » • j Walker and C. Quirke were the best of Nada's forwards and both the former's goals were real beauties. • • • • Old-timers who tell everyone "Soccer is not what it used to be" could justify their statement had they seen the sorry exhibition at Nairnville. Neither Onslow nor Hutt played up to first B standard. Players hadn't the least idea of ball control or combination, and several free kicks were awarded for very crude tackling. « # * • The referee of the Onslow-Hutt game awarded a goal to Hutt which would not have been given had nets been fitted to the goals. A great and unnecessary responsibility is thrown on to the referee when he has to decide whether a goal has or has not been scored under such circumstances. • » * * Murray, promoted fourth grade Hutt player, was the best player at Nairnville. He got two good goals. • » •» » The Stevens brothers and Kendrick were the mainstays of the Onslow team. « * » * Murray was the star performer in the Rovers-Scottish Wanderers game; he completely bottled up his opponent's right-wing and was instrumental in sending his forwards away on many useful errands. « * » » , "Bert" Hanlon was unable to turn out for Rovers, but his position was ably filled by Marshall, a young player from Palmerston North, who gives promise of developing into a first-class player. PLAY ELSEWHERE (By Telegraph—Press Association.) Auckland.—New Zealand Navy 1, beat Imperial Navy 0, in a special challenge; Mount Albert Grammar 3, beat Thistle 0; Ponsonby 4, beat North Shore 2; Comrades 3, drew with Metro College 3. Christchurch. —Thistle 2, .beat St. Albans 0; Western A 3, beat Western B 2; Technical 2, beat Nomads 1; Rangers 5, beat Linwood 1. IVairarapa.—Albion 2, Athletic 2. Third grade: Albion 5, Rangers 1; Whatman 11, Masterton 2. PETER DAWSON CUP (l!r Telegraph—Tress Association.) WESTPORT, June 13. The Pefer Dawson Cup was retained by the Buller Soccer team today against Nelson's challenge, the holders winning 3-1 after a very even game, with the losers fighting determinedly right to the finish. ' For the winners, Twamley, White,' and Blythe scored, and for the losers D. de Few.