SOCCER

Greymouth Evening Star, 16 May 1934, Page 4

SOCCER

PARS -ABOUT PLAYERS. The. senior match played at Victoria Park over the week-end was a disappointing game, Blackball being no match lor Runanga, and, as a result, although in the first spell there were one or two bright, movements, play was ragged throughout. The game at Dobson was a, decided contrast, sparkling lootball being produced, and, although Dobson ran out winners by a fair margin, Greymouth gave (he home spectators more anxious moments than were liked. The town team held a larger territorial advantage than the winners,, ami only lack of penetration and shooting ability in the forwards saved Dobson from probable defeat. A

First-class Display: Bickering, playing his first game of (lie season, turned on a first-class display in goal for Dobson, and with the exception of one mistake,, which he quickly rectified, dealt efficiently witli anything that the Greymouth forwards could serve un. His inclusion has greatly strengthened Dobson's defence.

Best at Park: The best player on Victoria Bark was .John Anderson. Flaying at right hack, ho continually broke up strong attacks by the Runanga forwards, returning the ball well up-field with powerful kicks. He made several fine solo efforts to put his team on attack, and on these occasions only did Blackball appear at all dangerous.

Fine Goal: It was a nice piece of play that resulted in Blackball’s second goal. The ball travelled down the left wing and was crossed in a handy position for Tom Anderson, coming in fast, to meet the ball in the air, and slam it into the corner of the net. This player is much improved and looks like following in the footsteps of his two brothers.

Promising' Fonvard: A most promising centre forward is Mountford', the ’ young Blackball player. He impressed on Saturday with his clever touches which would do credit to a more older and experienced player. This boy has everything in his favour, but it is unfortunate that Blackball finds it necessary to play him in the senior grade whilst he is of such immature age. Whilst local players will do their best not to take advantage of their size, it is only natural that at some time or other the lad will get knocked ah,cut when mixed in a melee in the goal mouth or some similar position. Looks a Sitter: If Matthew Hall continues playing in his present form he will be a sitter for one of the back positions in the representative team (his season. iOn Saturday he enhanced his already bright prospects, and could do nothing wrong. A resolute tackler, he is hard to pass, whilst his clearances, both by foot and by Jiea.il, leave nothing to be desired. He is a good all-round player.

Welcome Re-appearance: Jimmy Hunter made a welcome reappearance with the Greymouth team as centre-hair, and now completes a back division, which is as strong as that, of any other team in the competition. Hunter can always be relied on to play a good game, and his display against Dobson was no exception to the rule. He takes his game seriously, and, putting his team first, plays hard for the full ninety minutes. Early in the game he had hard luck in not being awarded a goal as lii.s shot appeared' to have crossed the goal line, before the Dobson goalie handled the ball. Strong All-round:

Runanga is well served on the left side of its senior team. Clark, at back, is a potential representative player, whilst Cowe, half, Cameron and Crowe, left side forwards have represented Westland, and will probably do so again. Taken all round the team is strong in all departments.

Exemplary Shooting: Against Blackball, Craig gave an exhibition of shooting which many forwards of other teams would be well advised to copy. He does not believe in trying to walk the ball into the net, and took several long-distance shots, two of which went between the sticks, and others went close to being goals. Given the ball anywhere near the penally area, and the defence can guarantee on his sending in a shot.

Crowe’s Opportunity: Playing beside Cameron is all that Crowe requires to be able to utilize his abilities to the. best advantage. There is no better inside forward playing on the Coast than Cameron, and knowing the game from A to Z he should do a. lot towards, bringing Crowe on as an outside left.

Improvi m«nt Needed: In their two games to date, neither Pntfinson nor Cowe has. shown anything like the form, of which ho is capable, and if either has hopes of retaining his position in the representative team he will have fo show a decided improvement in future displays. The Lower Grades In the lower grades all teams have now met. completing the first round, in Hie junior competition Runanga lead. Marist. by one point, Technical are three points up on Cobden and Grc.vmonlh in the third grade, and C’chdcii are a point ahead of Greymeuth in (he fourth grade. Sig hing Junior Game; Tin. junior match at. Victoria I'arkl was a far superior exhibition of the code ihan that displayed l>v i h<J

. . ihe °'ame following, and seniors m tm. o um<. r rnin was played at a cracking pace. lion whistie to whistle. Runanga took a - vantage of the wind in the first s e (o rattle on two goals, but ho c on Marist had every bit of the plaj as their opponents. Daigan an Grogan played sou,nd defensive «anus for the greens, and the Runanga 01wards found it difficult to get telling shots into goal. Of the Runanga ilavcrs, Shotton played Ins usual headv and dashing game. and. in this respect, was well backed up by Kinsey. Dobson or Runangal Keen interest will be displayed in (lie game between Runanga and Bobson, which is to bo played in town on, Saturday. These two teams are unde-j leafed' to date, and can be relied on to i produce an exciting, fast, and willing game. Tho experience and combination Of Dobson’s team will be pitted againsi Runanga’s alert and nippy eleven, and a drawn result will probably eventuate.

Interesting Query: The following query was made over Hie week-end ami will, no doubt, be of interest fo all readers: "When taking a goal kick the full-back passes th'’ hall in a, backward direction to the goalkeeper, the latter slipped and. missed the ball which rolled over the goal line into the net. Has a goal been scored?'• Tile answer is “No,” as a

goal cannot be scored direct from a. goal kick. ‘ In Wales: ’rhe Welsh correspondent of an English paper says that there are many potential Rugby players playing or watching Association football in Cardiff. Newport, and Swansea because in those centres good grounds are scarce, and Association football can be played where it would be dangerous to play Rugby.