SCHOOL SOCCER

Greymouth Evening Star, 10 August 1928, Page 8

SCHOOL SOCCER

A. REPS. v. MARISTS.

The rep. team met the Marist Secondary team in a work-out preparatory to the tournament. A very bright game with the round ball was witnessed by numerous admirers. Conditions were ideal and the ball did some travelling during the progress of the game. On lining up at the start it looked, taking size and weight as the deciding factors, as if the Primary boys would be overwhelmed. Both sides entered into the game with vim, and up and down the field travelled the leather, some pretty passing movements being noticeable on both sides. First-timers there were in abundance, and both goalies were called upon to clear in turn, Marist knew their places well ami showed rare combination, but their smaller opponents quickly gauged the capabilities of their opponents, and often beat them at their own game. Nippiness on the part of the Primary boys enabled them to extricate themselves times out of number. At first the ponderous kicks of their heavy antagonists rather disconcerted them, but they soon found that short incisive, well placed kicks gained just as much ground and were more dangerous. Marist have a fine trio in Anderson, a Primary veteran .of two seasons ago, and Lord and Hose. In the vanguard, they were often dangerous, Lord, on the wing, showing pace in plenty and gaining much ground, centred nicely at the right time. H. Lindbom, however, was always there in defence, aind his hefty kicks were very timely. Speakman in goal is indeed an acquisition to the reps, and is the only player for the position. His coolness is superb, and with his height and a telling boot extricated his side repeatedly. The goals placed against him reflect not upon his prowess, for he would have to have emulated a senior rep. to have stopped them. Play throughout the first half was very even, and there was little between either side at half-time, even though the greens were one on. This was from a concerted movement on their vanguards’ part, a hot shot by fhe centre at close range being punched out only to be returned at two yards’ range into the goal mouth. On resumption, Marist put on the pace, but the Blue and Whites wereequal to the occasion, and frequently Boote, Duffy and Roberts carried play into Green’s territory. Lack of accuracy robbed them of certain scores, several corners from Robefls being nicely placed, only to be lost owing to shooting by. Duffy, for the Greens, was playing well at full back, and repulsed with many fine first timers. A featuie of the Secondary boys’ foolwork wasthe accuracy with which many of thenplayers were able to deflect the ball on its journey up field. In a few seconds defence turned into attack, and from one of these Anderson, catching Speakman out of position, shot through swiftly to place the Greens-’ second goal. Up and down followed Boote having an excellent chance, but overstepped the ball. Later Preston did likewise, and for these let-offs Greens retaliated with a long high shot, which left the goalie at full stretch. TJie Primary boys were still full of running and returned to the attack. White, who all through played a fine game, fed his forwards well, and more than held his own against the weightier opponents. Kiely at centre halt played like a veteran and was very sound in kicking The Greens’.last score came from one. of their 'usual thrusts, which brooked no holding. In a flash, Andeison had whipped out to Lord, who drew the defence and using his pace worked right up to the goal to centre, for Anderson to use his left foot nicely. Time was called soon after. Mr A. J. Shaw ably refereed. A few try-outs such as these should put the school reps, in fine fettle for the tournament. They at least show up where weaknesses lie, one of which is lack of ability to see a game out. A little training would be better than nothing, and boys should remember that kicking a ball is not everything. One must have the necessary “wind” to see a game through, for many a contest is won or lost in the last few minutes. , . As there are several opinions that the B team is as good as, if not better, than the A’s, it is proposed to test the B’s against the Marist Secondary boys next Tuesday afternoon at Victoria Park B Ground. A game between the A’s and the Technical Eleven, if it can be arranged, will probably take place at the Park next Thursday.