Association Football

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 82, 3 October 1936, Page 23

Association Football

By "Vanguard." WELLINGTON'S UNEXPECTED WIN

POOR GAME FOR CAMPBELL ROSE BOWL

The game was a disappointing finish to the representative season, the standard of both teams being much below expectations. Neither side was representative of provincial strength; in fact, several of the leading club teams in the Dominion could have given much better displays. The only period during the game when the exchanges became interesting 'was for about 20 minutes after the commencement of the second half, and it was the speed of the play rather than any excellence in methods that was responsible for the improvement, says the "Herald."

The salient weakness was in the forward play of both teams, there being a lack of combination and tactical ability. Wellington showed a better idea of pushing home attacks, but the visiting forwards were not impressive as a combination. Leslie, the Wellington centre-forward, attempted by his excellent ball control and clean passing'to set an example, but his supports were not responsive. The wingmen ' were decidedly weak, while the inside players, McKenzie and Gendall, showed- promise at times, but they j almost invariably spoiled their efforts by weak passing or poor positional j play. AUCKLAND WORSE STILL. The exhibition of the Auckland vanguard was even more unimpressive, not one of the players revealing form that

entitled him to representative status. The wingmen, Mullane and Robinson, were erratic, although the latter occasionally made amends by well-placed crosses, but both were inclined to hang back and allow the Wellington backs to break up likely moves. Mullane missed some excellent chances of scoring. Jepson's opportunities were limited owing to the poor support ho received from Fyfie and Stevenson. The last-named was definitely weak in the first spell, but he showed improvement over the closing stages, while Fyfie spoiled his work by retaining possession too long, and he also crowded his half-backs.

The halves of both sides were reliable without being outstanding. The Wellington division slightly shaded the Auckland trio, their forceful methods on attack frequently making the opposing middle division'concede ground. Blackie, the Auckland right-half, gave the best display, his solid tackling and excellent judgment in passing the bail being a feature of the game.

Dependable work was performed by the goalkeepers and full-backs. Haggett and Speed revealed sound judgment in holding the Wellington vanguard, while Haines and Connell also proved their worth against the Auckland attackers, although the weak methods of the opposing forwards made their work comparatively easy.

W.F.A. COMPETITIONS

Wellington's 3-1 victory in the Campbell Rose Bowl match at Auckland last Saturday came as no small surprise to most followers of the game locally. At no time is it easy to defeat Auckland on the notorious Blandford Park, and in view of Auckland's win here and the general chorus of complaint con-, cerning Wellington Soccer this season, few people expected the challengers. to win. Just as surprising as the victory was the reason given in Auckland for the Wellington superiority—better thrust in front of goal—as all this season, if not all last also, the finishing work of the forwards has beeii the most obvious weakness in Wellington football.

The winners of the cup competitions ar§ as follows:—Second A division, Watersidej

second B division, Technical Old BoysJ fourth, Institute; fifth, /Technical College A; sixth, Onsloiv; seventh; Jlarist Thorndon; eighth, Diamond; ninth,. Mirama'r Rangers.

Hutt Valley League: Senior, Stop Outj junior, Upper Hutt United. . :

GAME AT PORIRUA

FINAL PLACINGS

SEATOUN LACKED STRENGTH

In the championship game. at Porirua last Saturday Hospital scored a convincing win over Seatpuri, although ~- minus Thompson and Todd. The encounter did not prove the close con»; test spectators had hoped for, owing to Seatoun's regular left wing (McKen-y zie and Gendall) playing in Auckland. The game was fast until the last fifteen* minutes, when Seatoun were obviously, tired. Seatoun's half-backs did not • compare favourably- with Hospital's.* middle line, and consequently the blue forwards were a disjointed force. Skin-, ncr was not happy at centre-forward and seemed unable to -keep contact, with his wingers.

Parton had a lively time in the Seatoun goal. He made numerous good saves, but it. would have, paid him to run out and smother an oncoming forward about to shoot from close in.

Grimstone and K. Yeoman defended gamely. They appeared, however, to have no proper understanding with their goalkeeper or with the halfbacks. A definite plan of defence would have counteracted many Hospital forward moves, on account of their tendency" to take the ball to within a few yards before shooting.

Wyatt (Hospital) had a fairly easy afternoon, and but for the brilliant sunshine might have done a freeze.

Scott, Gibson, and Salt got through a lot of work, but were not of much, assistance to their forwards. Gibson appeared to have a roving commission. Knowing Webster's capabilities as an opportunist, he might have played the third back game to advantage. Time and again he allowed Jeffery to open up the game, which enabled Webster and his wingers to finish off the movement.

Miles and Briggs (Hospital) were not overworked and were fairly steady under pressure.

Wilson and C. Yeoman would have been dangerous had they received proper support from their inside men and wing-halves.

Stanbridge and Shankie (Hospital)' made numerous openings,' and the former got his usual goal.

Gibb and W. Woods (Hospital) had the Seatoun defenders rattled, Wood 3 bagging two goals and Gibb having a share in the other three.

Negotiations1 have been opened for a middleweight title bout between Em Jacobs and Maurice O'Brien;at Westport on October 24, with the winner subsequently to meet Jack McMahon, conqueror of Cyril: Pluto, atr Palmerston North.. The postponed 1 AitkenRayner bout is due to. taks place Within a few days at Blenheim. 5.':" J

Sixth Division. Dnslow 13 11' — 2 60 15 24 Soatoun 12 10 1 1 59 7 21 Tech. College A 13 0 3 1 50 .21 19 Stop Out 12 5 5 2 26 33 12 Diamonds 12 4 6 2 29 46 10 Swifts 11 3 5 3 24 36 9 Marist 12 3 7 2 22 27 8 Tech. College B 13 2 10 1 9 62 5 Xada 12 1_ 11 — 9 39' " f Seventh Division. Marist T 10 9—1 63 6 19 Seatoun 10 8 2 — 68 15 16 Swifts 12 6 5 1 27 32 13 Mir. Rangers ..10 4 6 — 17 33 8.. Institute 9 3 6 —• 17 20 6 Wadestown 9 3.6— 8' 40 6 Onslow ..10 1 9 — 1 60 2 : Eighth Division. I Marist T 9.7-1 1 31 9 15 '• Seatoun A ..... 9 6 2 1 22 10 13 Diamond 10 5 3 2 28 22 12 Institute ' 9 3 6 — 15 22 6 Seatoun B 7— 7— 740 0 Ninth Division. Marist T 10 8 2 — 36 12- 16 Mir. Rangers ... 11 7 4 — 25 18 14 Diamond 9 3 5 1 17 17 7 Institute 8 . — 7 1 435 1 HUTT VALLEY LEAGU*. Senior Grade. Stop Out ...... 9 9 — — 51 11 1» Petone 6 4 2 — 27 7 8 Upper Hutt .... 8 3 4 1 10 31 f Tech. College ..11 2 8 . 1 11 38 5.; Junior Grade. 'stop Out 11 11 — — 40 3 22 | Petone 10 8 2 — : 43 5 16 I Tech. College ..12 6 5 1 11 21 13 Upper Hutt ... 10 5 5 — 8 18 10Anglican Home 11 1 9 1 8 36 3 Rovers 12 1 11 — -4 35 2

Championship tables in all junior divisions of the Wellington Football Association have been completed as follows: — ' Second A Division. Goals Ch. p. W. L. D. F. A. Pts. Ssrs^-:::: ii ! ? i i! i Diamonds .... 13 * « » 34 33 1 «• •::::: li I f 2 g " Swifts 13 1 12 — 13 86 J Second B Division. Wadestown .... 13 10 2 1 32 20 21 Stop Out 11 S 2 4 52 2.! -U Scot. Wanderers 12 8 3 1 32 .6 li Tech. Old Boys .12 7 3 2 4a 2b 16 Island Bay ... 13 B 5 ; 21 H Onflow .••• 12 4 n J o£> -( u L^THutt 13 4 9 - IS 31 8 Nada 10 1 7 2 13 34 4 Marist 12 1 11 — 16 aR 2 Fourth Division. Iftirlst 13 11 1 l 73 2r 23 Institute 13 9 3 1 40 23 IS Waterside 14 7. 4 3 53 30 1. Petone 12 6' 2 . 4 37 20 16 Lower Hutt ... 12 4 5 3 32 .31 11 Diamonds .... 12 3 6 3 36 41 9 Tech. Old Boys . 11 3 S — 28 47 6 Koro Koro .... 13 2 9 2 IS 62 6 Onslow 10 1 8 1 12 51 3 Fifth Division. Tech. College A . 14 14 — — 92 6 , 28 Seatoun 14 11 2 1 77 17 23 Diamonds .... 14 9 4 1 74 3S 19 Institute ...... 13 9 4 — 60 36 IS Marist 13 6 5 2 40 31 1! Tech. College B 12 3 6 3 28 54 9 Waterside 14 3 9 2 35 68 S Swifts ...... 14 2 8 4 29 48 8 Mir. Hangers ..13 2 10 1 27 83 5 Scot. ' Wanderers 13 1 12 — 14 89 - 2