SECOND SOCCER TEST

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 June 1937, Page 9

SECOND SOCCER TEST

, WON BY ENGLAND i I ~ A JOY TO BEHOLD [I’EB PIIESS ASSOCIATION.] AUCKLAND, Juno 19. Following on its overwhelming victory in the first test at Dunedin, the English amateur Association football team won the rubber at Carlaw Park this afternoon by beating New Zealand by 6 goals to 0 in the second match. The score was not fully indicative of the superiority of the Englishmen, as there was only one team in it in the second half. A good showing was made by the Dominion teafn in. the first spell, the players appearing to realise that it was hopeless to try to compete with the finesse of the Englishmen and adopting fast raiding tactics. There was little between the teams in the first spell, and the halftime score of 2 to 0 was a fair indication of the opportunities received by the respective teams. Lacking condition, the New Zealanders were thoroughly outclassed in the second spell, and in spite of exhortations from the crowd of 18,000 they were rarely seen on the offensive. The ground was difficult but did not seem to hamper the Englishmen to any great extent. In positional play and combination they were .definitely superior, but their shooting showed unaccountable lapses. From the competitive or spectacular point of view the game did not reach the heights of the England-Auckland match in. the previous week. It was unfortunate that New Zealand could not offer stronger opposition. However, 'there was some consolation in the brilliance. revealed by the visitors. Joy, the tall English centre half, was an adamant figure on defence and a brainy, quick-moving player on attack. He seemed to control all the moves of the English team, and his aggressiveness, splendid footwork, and accurate passing won frequent applause. The second half saw the New Zealand backs and halves crowded in their goal-mouth in a desperate effort to stem the baffling raids of the opposition, but their efforts were futile against the clean and close passing methods of the Englishmen. It was only that the English forwards missed a number of glorious chances that the score was comparatively favourable to the New Zealanders. The greatest thrust in the English side came on the left, where Thornton, a player with fine footwork and rare intelligence, co-operated with Finch on the wing. Both these players weaved an intricate path through the New Zealand defence on many occasions. Eastham was a lively player at inside right and he opened up play with brilliant placings, but his shooting showed many errors. Although somewhat overshadowed by Jay, the remainder of the English defence was impressive, Strasser, at full-back, and Sutcliffe and Lewis, the wing halves, being consistently brilliant on defence and attack. Cameron again gave a splendid display in the New Zealand goal, saving several pile-drive 'shots, while Stone, who substituted for Haggett, inspired the most confidence among the backs. His weight stood him in good stead against the attackers. Blackie was good on defence, and attempted to open up play. Sutherland, bustled by fast forwards, endeavoured to establish some cohesion, but his efforts met with scant response. Jeffery tackled solidly, but he seldom showed initiative. Except for occasional onslaughts which failed to shake the English defence, the forwards were seldom noticed. In extenuation it must be said that they seldom received the ball at the correct height or angle, but, nevertheless, they did not impress as an attacking force. Leslie was outpaced by the backs, and the remaining forwards made little of the few opportunities they received. Goals were scored for England by Finch (3), Thornton (2), and Eastham.

SPEECHES AT DINNER. AUCKLAND, June 20. A dinner was given the English football team by the Mayor of Auckland, Sir,Ernest Davis, who is also president of the Auckland and New Zealand Football Associations. Mr. Bernard Joy, captain of the English team, and a prominent amateur international, expressed pleasure at the improved standard of play shown by the New Zealand team. He stated that the games had become more difficult as the tour progressed, even although his team had improved with playing together. He paid a tribute to the improvement in positional and head play of the Dominion side, particularly on defence. “Up until today,” said Mr. Joy, “we reckoned that any ball in the air belonged to us, but this was not the case in to-day’s match. Your players, particularly in the penalty area, showed better knowledge of heading the ball out of danger.” “The best means of continuing such improvement,” said Mr. Frank Campbell, vice-chairman of the New Zealand Football Association, “is by securing a visit by an English team every fdur years.” Discussing the financial aspect of the tour. Mr. Campbell said he thought that the expenditure had been warranted by the lessons learnt. Mr. \Vreford Brown, manager of the English team, said that it would be one of iiis pleasures to see that the visit was repeated. If the present tour showed a loss he was sure the Football Association would be sympathetic when it realised the value to the game of such a visit.

N.Z. TEAM FOR THIRD TEST. AUCKLAND, June 20. The sole selector to the New Zealand Football Association. Mr. A. I’. Neesham. has decided on the same team as played England on Saturday to take the field for the third test al Wellington on Saturday. The team is: Goal—F. Cameron (Auckland). Full-hacks—S. Cawtheray (Canterbury), R. Stone (Auckland). Half-backs —F. Blackie (Auckland). A. Sutherland (Otago). E. Jeffery (Wellington). Forwards—L. Wood (Auckland). A. McCallum (Auckland), J. Leslie (Wellington), It. Scott (Westland). M. Kay (Auckland). The team will assemble in Wellington. during the week for training. TN OTHER CENTRES. WELLINGTON. Juno I!' Scatouu 2, Petouu 2. Waterside (>, Diamond 1. Marist 1. Institute 1. Technical Old Roys 6. Hospital 1.

CHRISTCHURCH. June 1!'. Western I. Rangers 3. Technical 1. Nomads 1. Tbisllo I, V.M.C.A. I. DUNEDIN, June 111 High School Old Boys 1, Northern 1. Mosgiel 5, Roslyn-Wakar! 1. Seacliff 1. Maori Hill 3. Technical Old Roys 2, Mornington 2.