SOCCER

Evening Star, Issue 22626, 19 April 1937, Page 4

SOCCER

PROMISING FORWARDS MAORI HILL DEFEATS SEAGLIFF Attractive football was played in the first spell of the Maori HillSeaciiff match at Logan Park, but the inability of both teams in their opening game to stand up to the speed was responsible for the standard of play being lowered in the second spell. Maori Hill’s forwards gave every promise of developing into a good scoring combination, but the defence was not so strong as Seacliff’s. Hill won by 2 goals to 1, although Seacliff deserved a draw for their attack in tho final stages. The teams were: Maori Hill.—Holden; Mills, Bayne; Witchall, Sutherland, Haldane; Wadsworth, Little, Roberts, Dalziel (captain), Balk. Seacliff. —Jordan; Anderson (captain), Ruddiman; Dudman, Watson, Thompson; Ives, Milne, Fyfe, Henderson, Montgomery. The Hill forwards attacked vigorously, and were unlucky in missing a goal in the first five minutes. Wadsworth made a neat pass in and up to Roberts, whose header was saved, and Dalziel, coming up fast, headed over at the corner of tho goal mouth. The opening goal came from good attacking methods. Using the sliding tackle, Sutherland gained possession, and the ball was whipped out to Balk. The outside left worked quickly infield, and Sutherland moved np to take the pass and to score with a “ first-timer.” Hill 1, Seacliff 0. Seacliff’s forwards were aggressive, and several times had Hill’s defence in difficulties. However, their play was not so constructive as Hill’s, who found Anderson and Ruddiman n solid pair of backs. Montgomery shot and Holden saved, tipping the ball up to the cross-bar, and Sutherland conceded a corner from the rebound. - The corner was cleared, and the passing was carried right up to Little, who found the net with a fine snap shot. However, the inside right was off-side and the goal was disallowed. Soacliff’s best forward so far was Montgomery, whose shots from the line were worthy of a goal. When Holden failed to take one of his crosses the inside men lost a chance through lack .of anticipation. Holden’s goalkeeping saved a later shot from Fyfe, to whom the ball came from the left half. Fyfe shot from close range into Holden’s arms, and when charged the goalie cleverly evaded the tackle and cleared. With. Sutherland dominating the play Hill were continually on attack. Jordan stopped shots from Balk and Roberts, and Little struck the upright with an oblique drive. The Hill forwards were clearly superior, and the next goal came at half-time from speedy, wellplanned passing. Sutherland, working energetically and purposely, sent out to Wadsworth. The backs were drawn, and the pass infield gave Roberts a drive in a clear field. Jordan failed to stop the shot, which was low. Hill 3, Seacliff 0. The second spell opened sensationally, Seacliff taking the ball right through to surprise Hill. In trying to stop Fyfe’s shot Holden was injured. Hill 2, Seacliff 1.