CLOSE FINISHES ALL

Evening Star, Issue 23651, 10 August 1940, Page 4 (Supplement)

CLOSE FINISHES ALL

Two-Goal Margin the Greatest^

Leading Cup Positions Unchanged

Despite excellent conditions on all grounds, the games in the Association code were all decided by bare margins, even Mosgiel being kept to a modest two-nil win from Maori Hill in a fast game in the country. The visitors gave an attractive display. A draw would have been a fairer indication of the run of the play in the other three matches, Northern being rather lucky to head Momington 2-1, while there was only a penalty difference in the H.5.0.8.-Caversham meet, poor shooting detracting from both exhibitions. Even Roslyn-Wakari could do no better than a onegoal margin from Technical in an even battle. Positions on the Fletcher Cup ladder now areMosgiel, 25; Northern, 21; Roslyn-Wakari, 20; H. 5.0.8., 14; Caversham, 12; Seacliff, 11; Maori Hill, 7; and Technical and Momington, 5.

NORTHERN LUCKY

WON BY BARE GOAL FROM MORNINGTON

Northern was lucky on its first spell performance to gain the mastery in the second period to end with a 2-1 lead over Mornington at Logan Park. In the opening portion of play Mornington scored only one goal, and held it to the end, although on several occasions it was only the run of the ball that kept the score down. Northern was given a lesson in positional play and initiative. It was the reverse in the second spell, when the pace slackened, and Northern was more prominent. Right at the finish Mornington staged a recovery and almost equalised. Martin gave the best display of the day. Teams were:— Northern.—Gibson, Hope, Sutherland, Wallace, Meenan, Walsh, Gordon. MacFarlane, M’Lean, King, Reynolds. Mornington. Martin, Henderson, Simpson, L. Agnew, W. Agnew, Murphy, Taylor, Webster, Brownlie, Harris, Develin. It was Mornington that first provided the fireworks, Develin curling over a nice cross that worried Gibson, but Reynolds conceded a resultless corner. Wallace tried a first-timer for Northern after being fed by Gordon, but skied it badly. Both elevens were playing fast, open football, keeping the ball swinging gaily. Mornington held its own over the chancy initial stages. Northern was working well on the right van, but when JVl’Farlane was sandwiched by two defenders a penalty was awarded. Martin saved Wallace’s kick, but MacFarlane missed with a header when the custodian was roving.

Harris, an Army player, sent over a neat cross to Webster when Mornington’s right van went away, and a close carpet shot deceived Gibson. M’Lean had a solo chance when Wallace seat past the backs to give him the opening, but he lost control. Mornington 1. Northern 0.

Mornington was now definitely on top, and keeping Northern on the run. Murphy sent well down to Develin, who forced Gibson to make a fine save with a high, long shot to the corner. Northern’s right wing was getting a lot of work, but the insides and centre could not push the chances home. After a long period during which neither side could penetrate the defence, Develin and Brownlie criss-cross passed their way to goal, and the former again made Gibson bring off a fine save._ Taylor kept up the pressure with a high firsttimer, and Gibson was busy for a while. Northern came away rather half-heart-edly, and M’Lean missed an opportunity the same as before. Then Reynolds shot over to end a half that was a lesson in positional play and enterprise for Northern. Northern equalised immediately after the kick-off, MacFarlane carrying down the wing to transfer a high one to King, right in front ._ After preliminary manoeuvring for position, he beat Martin neatly with a carpet shot in the corner. Buchanan went on in place of Gordon. Mornington 1, Northern 1.

MacFarlane scored the next, giving Northern tthe lead. Reynolds carried down on the left, and crossed. M’Lean, blocked, lost the ball to King, but Murphy headed out his shot ?i the ball going to MacDonald, closing in, whose shot was partially saved bv Martin. Wallace charged him. and the ball rolled out of his hands and over the line. Northern 2. Mornington I. Martin saved finely when M’Lean got through on his own from Wallace’s pass, and the- custodian fell trying to itfcar. Reynolds received and shot, but Martin, well away from his charge, deflected the ball with his finger-tips over the top, saving a certain goal. Almost immediately b© kept out a header from M’L’ean about two or three yards off. Northern now had the advantagej Mornington apparently having done its dash. The forward line was keeping the defence bustled, as had been the reverse in the first half. Wallace missed narrowly with a header. At the finish Mornington was threatening to equalise. Final scores:

Northern 2 Mornington 1 Mr W. Woodcock controlled the game.

At half-time the president of the Northern Club (Mr M'. P. Smith) made a presentation to N. Buchanan and W. Pay, members serving in the third echelon.

MOSGIEL WINS AGAIN

MAORI HILL DOWNED BY TWO GOALS Mosgiel continued on their winning way when on their home ground they defeated Maori Hill by 2 goals to 0. It was a very fast game, the superiority being with Mosgiel throughout. Their score should have been greater than it was, for scoring opportune ties developed on several occasions, but each time the ball struck the uprights and bounded away from the goal-mouth.

The teams;— Mosgiel: Mills, Johnstone. R. Steven, Stenhouse, J, Skinner, Sharpe, Nicolson, Martin, C. Skinner, Davidson,' Steven? Maori Hill.— Bayne, Murphy, Morris, Haldane, Little, Cooper, Gilchrist, Dunlop, Montgomery, Reach. Conditions for play both overheaad and underfoot were excellent, and the players gave a very fine showing, the Hill team by no means disgracing itself in its attempts to keep the Taieri men at bay. Both goals were netted by J. Skinner, one in each spell. There was a very good attendance. Mr F. Stanley refereed. ROSLYN-WAKARI AGAIN GOOD DEFENSIVE FLAY Man for man Technical Old Boys were much more evenly matched than in their first game with Ros-lyn-Wakari, and on the run of the play were a shade unlucky not to get a draw out of it. After a lively first half the standard of play slipped, the only redeeming feature being the sound defensive play of both sets of backs. Rutherford, who replaced Ness at left full-back for Roslyn, acquitted himself well, and always placed his clearing kicks with judgment. Mowat was outstanding for the losers. The teams:— Roslyn-Wakari. Dodd. Simpson, Rutherford, D. Smyth, Wilson, M‘Callion, Ramsay, Chisholm, T, Smyth, C. Welham, D. Welhain. Technical.—Fleming, Mowat, A. Hen(Jerson, Smith, Wilson, Breese, Duerdon, ChSpman, Ramsay, Tointon, Freeman.

Playing with a strong sun in their eyes, the Technical side were at a distinct disadvantage in the first half. After five minutes’ play Tdintoh notched the first goal for Technical—a soft one. Within a few minutes the score was level, Chisholm finishing off a scramble in' the Technical goal mouth. Roslyn took the lead when C. Welham headed in a beautiful centring kick from his brother at outside left. An even spell of plav followed. _ Technical had ‘hard luck when Smith hit the cross-bar from well out, but there was no addition to the score for the remainder of the first half.

Pie ■ the second spell had not been lomr Tress when Ramsay made the scon , Then followed a great rally by tin ioslyn forwards on the right wing, C, Welham received at an awkward angle, and gave Fleming no chance with a low one. The Roslyn men adopted a “ keep them out at all costs ” policy from then on, and a rather disappointing second half ended with the scores: IlOslyn-Wakari 3 Technical 2 Mt W. M. Smith was the referee. CLOSE CONTEST PENALTY REPRESENTS DIFFERENCE Poor shooting ruined an otherwise excellent display at Tonga Park, where Caversham met the High School Old Boys’ side. Apenalty goal to Old Boys accounted tor their winning margin of 2-1, and the teams otherwise were equally matched, Both sides threw away the best of opportunities, and until the last half-hour neither goalie had had to stop anything serious. Attack and defence were good on both sides, although accuracy was also lacking on the open field, Teams were as follows:

Oaversham: Race; Robb, Williams; M'Quarrie, O’Neill. Bemlett; Cook, Warwood, Bartlett, Meiklejohn, M‘Skimming. Old Boys: Nixon; M'Narey. Nelson; M'Gillivray, Race, Sharp; M'Millan, North, Smith, Duncan, Hughes. The first half was completely uneventful, with the play going from one side to the other. Perhaps High School had a little the better of it, but this is debatable.

The second half opened under exactly similar conditions. M'Quarrie made one beautiful shot from nearly halfway which hit the School posts, and then inaccuracy ruled again. A penalty for hands was awarded Old Boys and taken successfully from in front of the centre of the goal. Then play brightened, with all the advantage, for the next five minutes to Old Bovs. Smith, after showing a good display unsuccessfully for some tinie, took a pass from Sharp and found the Caversham net again. Caversham then took the game into their own hands, Bennett and O’Neill starring. A series of good attempts resulted in Bennett finding the goal off an Old Boy’s boot. It seemed as though Caversham must equalise, but again opportunities were lost. High School Old Boys ... 2 Caversham I Mr P. George refereed the game.