SOCCER FOOTBALL

Greymouth Evening Star, 22 July 1927, Page 9

SOCCER FOOTBALL

NOTES BY “WATCHFUL.” The first round of the Hazeldine Cup was played last Saturday, and brought victories for Dobson and Runanga. Both games were played under heavy ground conditions, although the weather kept fait during the afternoon.

Rewanui went down to Dobson at Dunollie, but were considered unfortunate in suffering defeat by the odd goal in five. The heavy ground conditions, although against good football, did not lessen the keenness of either side, and a willing struggle was witnessed. The home team introduced two juniors, in Mossop and Timlin, and both did well in their initial appearance. J. Mossop especially did good work, as he was filling an unfamiliar position at outside left, his usual berth being left or right half, beating Marshall on many occasions by clever and tricky footwork. McNeil was Rewanui’s best forward and scored a smart goal, but his best position is undoubtedly at inside left or right. Gibbs is in great form at present and repeatedly had the home defence in a tangle, whilst Mitchell played his usual good game, obtaining two of the three goals secured. Runanga had an easy passage in the first round against Greymouth, and seem certainties for the final. Despite the big score put up against them, the home defenders, notably Marley, Sharp and Bell, played splendid games and repulsed attack after attack until continued pressure told its tale and they were forced to capitulate. Steers on the home left was in sparkling mode and delighted the spectators with his tricky runs and splendid centres, but lacked the necessary support to seriously trouble the visiting defence. Runanga had a gala day and indulged in some pretty combination, none doing better than Barnes at centre-half. The team to oppose Buller for the Peter Dawson Cup will leave to-night at 6.30 p.m., staying overnight at Reef ton, completing the journey early on Saturday morning. Of the team selected, the rear division and goalkeeper remain the same as played so well against the Canadians. Timlin, and admirers of him, are confident that his form at Victoria Park was po flash in the pan, and that he is capable of giving a repetition of his brilliant goal-keeping, on this occasion, if necessary. Erskine and Wick can be relied upon to put up a dour and stone-wall defence, and need only reproduce their, club form to be a success. Marshall retains his position at right half and Cowie at left, and both these players can be depended upon to hold their own with the best of attacks, the reputations of the Buller stars not troubling them in the least. The pivotal position, owing to the injury and inability of W. Bond to make the journey, is, I understand, still undecided. Mitchell is now to travel as an extra man, and it is possible that the selection committee may decide to play Rarity centre-half, thus allowing ATitchell to assume the leadership and McNeil to occupy his usual berth at inside. Rarity has previously occupied the wing half positions, and for a short spell during the absence of McFarlane against the Canadians, he filled the pivotal berth splendidly, and the inclusion of Mitchell in the forward line would, I think, improve the vanguard immensely. AH this, of course, is mere conjecture on my-part and the defence be left as did so well, when beating our visitors from Canada. Hewison is partnered by Gibbs, and this pair should make a good wing, if strict orders are given to the inside man to part with the leather sooner than he usually does. McNeil in the opinion of many, is not a centre-forward, and would have been more effective in the inside berth, much more profit would accrue from his undoubtedly clever play if he also would realise that over-elaboration m dribbling gets nowhere. Winstanley comes in place of Steers, and need only strike his old form, to give the Buller defenders a warm time. I would advise the team to adopt firsttime tactics from the kick-off, and the inside men not to be chary of dropping behind a little to assist their halves whenever necessary. It must be fully understood that the lifting of the Peter Dawson Cup will be a big hurdle and eve'y minute of the match will need to be hqtly contested, as it is fully realised by all soccer fans, the splendid impetus the winning of this trophy will give to soccer in these parts. Dobson are to meet Greymouth in the only unplayed competition "’fixture on Saturday at Dobson, and whilst the home team’s ranks will be depleted by the absence of five of their players travelling to Westport, they have an abundance of reserve and will field far from a weak team.

Tt is pleasing to report that W. Bond is making a good recovery, no bones having been broken, and will in the course of two or three weeks be able to again take his place on the field.

The following players will represent Greymouth v. Dobson, at Dobson, on Saturday Airey, Sharp, Marley, Aitken,' Bell, Steel, Steers, Mclvor, Hamill, Potts, Bayley. Players to meet at the Post Office at 2.15.