SOCCER CODE

Greymouth Evening Star, 28 August 1929, Page 3

SOCCER CODE

CANTERBURY REPRESENTATIVES There is little, if any, fault x to be found with the Canterbury representative Soccer team which has been selected to travel to Greymouth on August 31, to play Westland for the Peter Dawson Cup (says the “Sun”)Supporters of the policy of giving the younger players a chance in big matches may complain that most members of the team have worn the Canterbury colours before, but it must be remembered that the brilliant men who have been in the game some time cannot be overlooked. There is considerable young talent coming on, fortunately, but it will be some time yet before men such as A. Trotter and I. McLeod can be replaced in so tough a game as that which Westland will put up. Moreover, the inclusion in the team of P. Allen, G. Thompson and A. Sutherland brings new blood. No other selection in the back division could have been made, nor in the goalkeeper. L. Gwillam, of Thistle, is quit© the best goalkeeper in Christchurch. He is cool and quickthinking. His only fault is a tendency to come out too far at times. H. Johnston (Thistle), right-back, and J. Muscroft (Nomads), left-back, are powerful players, who clear to advantage and tackle stoutly. Muscroft, in particular, is excellent with his head. This pair covers up well, working together, and will not let much get past. The selection of th© half-back line opens a question. I. McLeod (Thistle) could not possibly be replaced at lefthalf, of course. His clean, canny play and appreciation of openings make him invaluable. For th© first time in years, however, George Roberts, the Western centre-half, has been left out of the pivot position in th© representative

) team, A. Sutherland, the young Thistle centre, taking his place. I Sutherland could not be overlooked i of course. He has been playing exceli lent football for his club. He has the size and weight that Roberts lacks, but it is doubtful whether this will , compensate for the absolute finesse i of Roberts on his day. Anyhow, this ■ is Sutherland’s chance of winning his spurs. It must be admitted that Roberts seems to be becoming erratic in form, while Sutherland is always consistent. A trouble with the younger playei’ is that he hangs too close up to his forwards for quick movement. There was another duel for the righthalf position. A. Walker has been deposed by S. Bristow, of Kaiapoi. Walker has not been getting nearly as much defensive football with Thistle as he used to get with Villa, and that no doubt accounts for the fact that he has not shown up to such advantage this season as he did two years ago, when, as a practically unknown player, he was included in the representative team that beat Wellington and Otago and drew with Auckland in a series of splendid matches. JJristow has been digging in fiard with Kaiapoi since he left Thistle, and certainly deserves a place. He and Walker will always have it between them for the right-half position. Selection of the forwards was fairly obvious. Onlj 7 two possible alternatives could have been adopted. P. Allen, Nomad’s outside right, the chosen man for this place in the representatives, is incomparable on his game. He is fast, powerful in play, and swings in some great centres on the move. J. Speirs (Thistle) has almost equal claims for inclusion, however. Both Allen and Speirs have improved a great deal this year. D. Sutherland, inside-right, and A. Trotter, centre-forward, the Thistle stars, were sure, as was G. Thompson (Western) on the left wing. There is no other left-winger to touch the speedy Thompson this season. Popular approval will no doubt go to the inclusion of the veteran J. B. Frickleton (Nomads) at inside-left. Frickleton knows a great deal about football, and can shoot like a gun. He is perhaps a more brilliant individualist than a combining player, and is, to moods of feverish energy, or of apparent boredom, on the field. A. Wilson (Nomads) might have been considered instead. All things considered, however, this representative team is one that will take some beating. The forwards are goal-getters, and the defence is a solid affair. I