Association Football

Evening Star, Issue 23325, 22 July 1939, Page 8 (Supplement)

Association Football

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A TAME DISPLAY BRILLIANT TROPHY GAME One wonders just to what extent the idle day the Saturday before last, as a result of all games being off through bad weather, affected our senior performers. Granted that the greasy grounds, gusty conditions, and a piercing cold southerly were all against a scientific display; that is not sufficient excuse for the painful and lackadaisical exhibitions served up generally. OUT OF GEAR. Both Mosgiel and High School Old Boys, from the meeting of which teams a bright game and snappy Soccer was expected, were plainly out of gear for the greater part. Only occasionally was Mosgiel’s combination and team work in evidence, and that was only after they were fortunate enough to go two goals ahead in the first 15 minutes of the second half through a penalty that seemed to me to have an accidental touch about it. From then onwards the High School Old Boys forwards seemed to go from bad to worse, despite the efforts of two tireless halfbacks, Duncan and M'Narey, whose good work was completely negatived by the failure of their wing forwards, Kidd and Gregory, to do anything right even with yards of room and seconds of time to do it in. Kidd might be excused to some extent, however, as he had a “ passenger ” alongside of him at inside and a half-hack behind him almost equally so, although occupying a position rather strange to him. Onlookers at this game probably came to the same conclusion as I did—that the “ enforced rest ” of the previous Saturday, plus the wintry conditions and greasy surface on Logan Park, were factors some of the School Old Boys players had not the football ability or balance to overcome. Trained evidently to a “ one-speed gear,” they floundered or hesitated in consequence, and fell an easy prey to the more experienced opposition half-backs in Stenhouse, C. Skinner, and Paul, who have learned that a Soccer player requires to have at command more than one speed and know when to and when not to use the fast, the medium, and the slow speed, which last mentioned means “ a walking pace.” Nixon, in the Old Boys goal, had to contend with a far greater number of efforts than his vis-a-vis at the other end, and although six goals passed him before the final whistle went (two from penalty kicks), he had little or no chance with any, and saved cleverly on a number of occasions. Scott, at the other end, who was deputising for Hall, gave nothing away, but had nothing of the “ cannon ball variety ” to contend with, as both L. Groves and Foote were well off their, usual in the shooting for goal direction, and the other three forwards hadn’t a shot in either foot.

Mosgiel’s first counter early in the game was a curious sample of the gifts that come the way of some forwards. Three Mosgiel forwards scrambled for the opportunity presented by Romeril failing to clear, and Williamson, deputising for W. Steven at outside-left, slipped the leather past Nixon. Old Boys had their opportunities, but with Foote well watched throughout, they were incapable of registering. Nelson at left-back, excepting the penalty blemish, gave a good account of himself, considering the clever opposition he had to face in Rogers and Nicolson. J. Skinner was seldom seen in the game until near the close, Duncan holding him well besides opening up the game in all directions only to find the attack clustering round him again in a second or two, through his forwards failing to hold the ball at any time, or foozling all passes. M'Narey also did excellent work, much of which went to seed because it takes more than six players to win a soccer match, and in this game I have never seen the absence of team-work on the part of Old Boys so apparent. Team-work finally won the game for Mosgiel, who carried no passengers in their ranks, and whose full-backs, Johnstone and R. Steven, were equal to all calls on them, and besides showed a cohesion that has been rather lacking hitherto. Mosgiel’s intermediate line, however, was the dominating factor in their marked success latterly, but there still remains, with a couple of their players that penchant for the unorthodox or un-

called for that may land them in for penalising more frequently than occurred last Saturday. Once again the elusive Rogers was the instigator of the goals that came the way of his side, besides scoring a neat goal with his head.

With a marked improvement showing in their last line of defence, and with six games remaining to be played, the Taieri club’s chances of having their name inscribed on the Fletcher Cup for the third year in succession are exceedingly good, but they will have to give of their best to maintain their " full points ” record when they meet such teams as Mornington, Northern, and Seacliff. Northern 2, Roslyn-Wakari 1, at Ellis Park. Rough ground conditions, wind, and a greasy ball militated against a really good display in this game. The losers largely favoured the hustle and bustle idea, and Northern endeavoured to play football. The Northern forwards had the greater number of scoring opportunities because of their side’s better positional play, but here again the “ walking pace ” idea was absent, just as it was with Roslyn’s attack, and the respective defenders generally held the upper hand. Gibson, in goal, Wallace and Anderson, at back for Northern, must be given much of the crdit for Norhern collecting both points, while Hughson. Simpson, and Ness, on the other side, did equally well for Roslyn.

Morninfiton 4, Maori Hill 1, at Prospect Park,

Rather an unexpected result, this, on Maori Hill’s own ground, of which it might he said one needs to serve an apprenticeship to it. Maori Hill played a man short and were also without the service of three regular players in Wills. Haldane, and Henderson, which rather reduces the real value of Mornington’s success, attained by breezier and more go-ahead methods, coupled with a further good display in goal by Martin, who has proved a real find for the Mornington Club. Their defence, too. stood up well to the four forward attack of the losers, and they also bad the null at half-hack, the missing link in the Hill van providing them with ample opportunity. Sainshury again gave the Mornington van a good raid ing lead on the wing, and Cope and Schofield shared the goal-getting honours.

Tech. Old Boys 3, Caversham 3. This game on the Oval on soft underfoot conditions was the best contested one of the round, and at long last the lowly Technical have opened their points register. More than ordinary interest was lent to the game by the reappearance for Technical of Witchall and Watt in the forward line and the veteran goalkeeper, Jim M'Dougall, for Caversham. Watt on the extreme left wing was a real source of danger for Technical, his excellent crosses to goal, delivered with no uncertain power that one enjoys witnessing, being responsible for centre forward Smith netting a couple of clever goals. Todd, on the right wing for Caversham, was a similar source of trouble for Technical who fell away in the later stages of the game. Combination was in evidence on both sides and Fleming in goal, Duerdon and Mowat at full-back served Technical well, while M'Dougall. Robb and Williams put up a good defence for Caversham. There are real possibilities in both these teams and the return of the veterans named will be all to tho good for the younger element in both sides. Dash is a virtue, but it needs toning down, and if the youthful Caversham and Technical players (such as Andrews, Breese, Moir, Roberts, and Smith) will but pay heed to the “ old heads ” they will prove of greater value before long to their side and perhaps to Otago. AUCKLAND RETAINS ENGLISH TROPHY. The Wellington representative side gave a good account of itself on Blandford Park in Auckland’s first challenge match for the trophy, but the holders carried just that Soccer business experience at the scoring end that the visitors lacked. According to Auckland critics this excellently contested game provided the locals with the best exhibition of the code seen in the Queen City since th visit of the English amateurs two years ago. The attendance was helped by the ideal all-round conditions, and 6,000 spectators got full value for their money. Auckland dominated the situation in the first half, the whole side giving a finished display, but Wellington came to light with some great bursts a trifle late in the game. The holders led bv 2 goals to 1 at halftime, and a quick goal not long after the commencement of the second half seemed to settle the issue for Auckland, M'Oallum and Fyvie. the home inside forwards, giving a splendid lead as thev did recentlv in Dunedin. Haines (left-back) who captained the Wellington side, was off the field with an iniury for 10 minutes, and was one of Wellington’s outstanding players. Lesl'e is_ also credited with a very fine distribution at centre forward, but Wellington, it would appear, has still something to learn in tho direction of shock tactics and seemed to lack craft in the inside forward positions—the key men of the attack. The Capital Citv men will come again, and it seems only a matter of a little time and further coaching before Wellington are acclaimed worthy winners of the Trophy. The hones of the South Island are now centered on Canterbury, and that province can be depended on to give the holders perhaps more than a fright. A GREAT GOAL AVERAGE. Western, of Christchurch, appear certain winners of the Hurley Shield, although thev_ dropped a point last Saturday to Thistle. Thistle’s sterling defence held the clever and fast-moving Western attack well in check, the fullbacks Dougall and Gowans excelling. The Thistle forwards, too. shaded the Western van for a great deal of the game, but territorially the final score —one goal apiece—was a fair enough indication of the run of the game. Western have played 111 flames, lost none, drawn two. tallying 22 points, with the verv fine floal average of 80 “for”and 11 “soaimt.” The two teams next on the ladder are Technic**! and Nomads with 13 points each from 12 games. CANTERBURY v. BULLER. To-day Western (Canterbury) play Thistle (Buller) in an interdistrict Chatham Cup match at English Pork, and the winners will meet Mosgiel in the South Island final.

PETER DAWSON CUP. This trophy, originally held by Otago, is not heard of much nowadays, but it will be of interest to local followers that last Saturday West Coast defeated Duller at Greymouth by 4 goals to 2 in the annual interprovincial match for the cup. West Coast, for whom their right winger, Tennant, was the outstanding player, were the better side, only wonderful saving by Archibald, in goal for Duller, keeping down the margin. Bowman (2), Tennant, and Cullen scored for West Coast, and Dlythe and Trotter got a goal a-piece for the losers. The Coast seems the home of good goalkeepers. SURPRISE IN WELLINGTON SOCCER. The men from Porirua Hospital journeyed to Wellington last Saturday, and on the Dasin Reserve created a mild surprise by whacking Waterside by two dear goals—a new experience" for Waterside, who seldom fail to register and, incidentally, generally score more goals than their opponents. Petone have the lead in the senior A division championship with 15 points, Waterside being one point behind, followed by Seatoun with 12. Hospital 10, Swifts 9. Marist 8. Technical Old Doys 7, and Diamond 3. PROFITABLE TOUR. The Football Association (London) expects to make a profit of over £5.000 out of the recent English professional team’s tour in Italy, Yugoslavia, and Rumania. The gate money for the Italy-England match at Milan was more than £12.000, nearly twice as much as the previous receipts for any Soccer match in Italy. As the match was drawn the Italians reckon the “ best team in the world ” question has not yet been and have registered a return match in London in October or November next. AUSTRALIA WINS SECOND TEST. The Palestinians continue to delight Australians with their wizardry, but, like teams, and such as Austria in particular, overdo passing and interpassing, otherwise “ jazz ” in Soccer. The wide-awake and brainy Australian defence, composed of giants compared with the midget Palestinians, countered these tactics in last Saturday’s test and managed to win by the odd goal in three. The lads from Palestine have shown that they are great shots, and their forwards at any stage are capable of turning seeming defeat into victory, as witness their great recovery in the first test. They are proving a very popular draw and showing all the finer points of the game. They gave a fine sample of their real ability fore and aft by pulverising Queensland at Ipswich on Monday last by 8 goals to 1. This despite the wonderful improvement in the standard of their play shown by Queensland recently.