Association Football

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 10, 11 July 1936, Page 23

Association Football

■ By "Vanguard." FIRST TEST WAS DISAPPOINTING

INJURIES PREVENTED TRUE COMPARISON

It was a pity that an accurate comparison of the merits of Australia and New Zealand could not be gained from the first Test match at Dunedin last Saturday, because injuries to the New Zealand side reduced it both in numbers and efficiency to a level below its best That is not an excuse for New Zealand's 7-1 defeat, but a statement of fact. New Zealand would have been outclassed in any event, but they might have done better had they not lost the services of Hatchard and Leslie and consequently played the greater part of the game with a disorganised .forward line. For that reason it was a disappointing match to thousands of football enthusiasts in the Dominion All of them were expecting a better game,(and possibly a better result from their point of view) in the second Test at the Basin Reserve this afternoon.

Hatchard went on to the field last Saturday certified as fit, and feeling so, but he touched the ball only twice before his ankle trouble, which kept him out of the Wellington representative match, made itself again manifest. Leslie played really well until kicked near the instep. For a time a serious injury was feared, and only an X-ray examination showed that it was not a bad one. Genuine regret is felt by Wellington supporters of the code at i the inability of their two A.ll Blacks to show their undoubted football ability for the whole of the ninety minutes of the game. OTAGO COMMENT. Following a start which suggested that play might be even, the New Zealand team was outclassed by the 1 visiting Australians in the first Test

This ex-Rugby player is an asset to the Socser code.

Hook and G. Clarke (Hospital) were a good pair of backs. The latter played his best game to date. Hospital would be wise to persevere with him, at left back.

Phillips and Smallbone (Seatoun) were dangerous wingers. Windley (Hospital) scored the best goal of the match—a first-time shot from twenty yards out. Brown and Gendall (Seatoun) were two good inside forwards, combining well with their wingers.

Leacock, in the Hospital goal, did not have much chance with the shots that beat him. He has improved since the start of the season.

H. Hunter (Hospital) is a ninetyminutes' battler and a good tackier, but at present needs to improve his "feeding."