SOCCER FOOTBALL.

Grey River Argus, 29 May 1922, Page 3

SOCCER FOOTBALL.

N.S.W. DEFEAT WANGANUI. A GOOD GAAIE. (Per Press Association.) WANGANUI, Alay 27. The Australian Association football . team opened their tour here to-day by defeating AVanganui by throe goals to ! one. The weather was fine, but bit- | terly cold, ■which alTected th-o attendance, there being about 2000 spectapors. 1 Australia’s team was: — I Goal: Cartwright; backs: Fisher, D. j Cunibcrford; halves: Gibb, Stenton, . Doyle; forwards: Brown, Bratton, Alaundcr, J. Cunibcrford, Thomson. I AVanganui:—Goal: 'Thomas; backs: | Healey, O’Neill: halves: AEcGorram, AHtclicll, Barker; forwards: Alackley Beckett, Richards, AlcKochie and Cooper. Tho visitors won the toss and played with a strong wind behind them. They immediately set up a hard attack, , Thomas on several occasions being callj ed on to clear the game, even in the | early stages; but the visitors showed line speed and better combination. | AVith the -excejition of occasional in- . cursions into the Australians’ territorv.

the home- side was repcatcdy defending. The Australians kept up a systematic attack and, after Thomas brilliantly stopped a lighting shot by Alaunder, J. ( umberft W in a beauty which beat the home. custodian, and incidentally won a gold medal presented by a local enthusiast for the first goal of . the hour. Phiy continued bright and attactive, the cleverness of the visitors’ forwards being largely neutralised by ‘ the fine defence of tho home backs. : I he Australians had several scoring opportunities, which were spoiled bv over eagerness. The score at halt’ time was ; Australia one goal to nil. On resuming, Wanganui attacked strongly. Alackley made a fine opening ,to Boekett and Cooper. The latter sent in a hard shot and, although Cartwright touched the ball it finished in Ihe net. This score proved a stimulant to the home side, who infused life into their play. A corner, beautifully placed j gave Cooper anol her chance, but he headed the ball just outside. Thomson made a couple of fin-e openings for Australia, but the home defence l was sound. AEitchell, with clever play, set his forwards going and beautiful passing eflorts saw the Australians fighting hard on the defence. Alitchell missed by the narrowest margin and then the visitors turned defence into attack. Fisher sending in a long slud' which Thomas just managed to clear and finally O’Neill, with a fine kick sent play back to neutral area. A couple of scoring chances came to the home side, hut their workmanship was inaccurate.

In the concluding stages of th? game the home side started to tire. AVith live minutes to go, combi:,. 1 ( yby Alaunder and Bratton gave the latter a great opening and he made no mistage with a shot. AVanganui rallied temporarily hut just on the call of time Thompson on the outside left, dribbled into range and then passed back to J. Cum- ' l-efor. The latter scored, putting Australia two goals in the lead on the (lay. The visitors were much tho better side, although faulty shooting lost several good opportunities. The defence of the backs was sound, while the forwards showed tine dash. The speed of Alaunder and Thomson was exceptional. St-enton, Gibb, and Fisher were the best, of tho Australian hacks, while Alaunder and Thomson were the outstanding forwards. The team should improve as a combinatiorf as the tour proceeds. Alitchell at, centre half was the best of the home backs, although others were sound. Thomas gave a lino display in goal, and repeatedly saved his side. The forwards were not equal to the visitors’ vanguard, AEackley and Cooper being the best in attack. PLAYERS DESCRIBED. (Special io “Argus.”) AVANGANUI, AEay 27. After a great game before 4000 people, the Australians opened their tour by defeating Wanganui by three goals to one. The score should have been more on both sides with a margin in favour of the visitors. The cohl nippy ■ the Kangaroos’ play. Heavy rain had the kangaroos’ play. Heavy rain had fallen during the night, but Ihe ground was in good order for football. Consequently a very fast, and nippy game resulted. Bright sunshine greeted the players as they entered the field. There was great enthusiasm throughout the match, working to fever heat on occasions. The Aussies won the toss and played with the wind at their backs, but the sun in their faces. Tho visitors early in the game demonstrated their cleverness, the footwork of Fisher being iirominent. In fact all showed ability in trapping the ball and kicking, and it was spectacular football on both sides. | A feature of the match was tho good fast clean and nipply football played I by the visitors. For the greater part ' of the first half, both teams played attractive football, raising spectators to | a great pitch of enthusiasm, the visit- • ors taking the eye with their quickness and combination. Alaunder put in a , terrific shot, which Thomas (Wanganui) saved beautifully. The first goal scored in New Zealand by the visitors was i from a splendid piece of combined play which resulted in a rebound from a AVanganui player. J. Cunibcrford secured and put in a lightning shot, which, gave tho local goalie no chance

Thus ho scored the first blood for tho Kangaroos after 25 minutes’ play. The visitors drew rounds of applause Tor play but Alitchell, half-centre for tuo locals was their stumbling block. Had it not been for him and Wanganui’s goal-keeper, the visitors would have been more goals up at this stage. On many occasions Thompson, Alaundcr, Gibb, Fisher, and Doyle gave the spectators a taste of what the Aussies could do. At times Wanganui played a great defensive game which in a minute or two they turned iuto an attack. Then the Kangaroos’ defensive tactics were shown to advantage. The visitors have in T. Thompson an out.sTlo left, always dangerous who put in beautiful centres. On the whole, during the first half, the visitors played with more combination but AVanganui played a real good game. In the second half the wind died down to almost calm, but freshened later. The play was of an even nature for the opening stages, but soon the Aussies got going and several chances ■were missed. AVangauuis’ evening up of the score occurred from a pretty combined piece of play. Brown eventually secured and, taking steady aim, shot easily. Cartwright took it too -easily and, tho ball going over his head, fell into the net amidst deafening applause. AA anganui continued pressing and always looked dangerous and the Aussies’ goalie had many anxious moments but prov-

ed more than equal to the demands made upon him. Alaundcr was the star performer in this half, but bad luck, together wiTli AVanganui’s goal-keeper, prevented him scoring several goals. Australia did not have it ail th-eir own wav in this spell howevei*, and Cart' < wright saved his side a. few goals. There was 20 minutes to go and excitement was intense when the visitors attacked strongly. shots being put in by several without result, Alaunder being the main one to have the luck against him. Subsequently play hoverer about centre and then Alaunder got the ball, and. after a good passing bout

amongst the Aussfes, Fatten put his side ahead by landing the ball into the net. Australia two, AVanganui one. Just as this score was taking place Maunders, who had been well watched by AVanganui men, was knocked out and had to be carried oil the field. Nut to be denied, the visitors again came at

their opponents in great stylo and Bratteu secured ami swung the ball across the goal mouth. Thompson dashed across to take it, and Wanganui, thinking the ball was out; of play, remained passive, there being no whistle. JCumberford simply stopped up and netted the third goal for his side, making the final score. Australia throe goals, AVanganui one. On the whole the game was a clean one throughout, but it was a hard light. It was noticeable that AVanganui had Maunder very veil marked and probibly this resulted in his accident, bc?auso he is a keen clever player and ilways on the ball. For Australia ?artv. right, Fi her, Gibb, Doyle, Thomp-

son and Alaunder were oii:siaii'.iiii.gwhilst for AVanganui, Alitchell was on I his own. He was closely followed by his keeper, Thomas, who was brilliant. It must be sai-l Australia di.l not have their best lenm in on account of minor accidents during training. Air Ready did his best as r. L’erce and, although some of his decisions did not find favour, still the people who complained were probably not in a position to judge. CHRISTCHURCH RESULTS. (Special to “Argus”). CHRISTCHURCH, Alay 28. Soccer results: — Rangers (3) beat A'illa (0). Corinthians (1) beat St. Albans (0). AVi-stern, a bye. Sunnyside (1) beat Lyttelton (1). SOCCER FOOTBALL MEETING. A very enthusiastic mooting of the Westland Football Association was held on Saturday evening, Mr H. AlcKeowen presiding over some 1G delegates. The business principally hinged on the forthcoming Australian visit. His AVorship the Alayor signifed his intention of extending an official welcome on behalf of the people of Greymouth. The Air Rafferty of Ruiiangn stated that in all probability the Runanga Band ■would consent‘to render selections at the A'ictoria I‘ark, and also to play the team from their headquarters to the playing area. The chairman stated that he hud arranged a tentative timetable with the Railway Department in connection with the visit. Trains would be delayed on the Otira, Reef ton, Hokitika and Rewanui lines. Considerable discussion took jilacc over the appointment of selectors. The chairman pointed out that some misapprehension existed, and us the Blackball and Runanga delegates s-cemcd to be al variance, the solution arrived at was that four selectors choose the trial representative teams. And three selectors that for the Australian visit. Advice was received that the New Zealand Council was arranging for fictnre advertising throughout the Dominion. Goal nets are io be provided by the \ Now Zealand Council. Aappreciation was expressed at the action of tho AVest Coastßugby League and Rugby Union in volunteering every assistance to the forthcoming visit. A now football lias been received for the match, which is to be presented to local schools for competition. It is most likely that Air IT. McKeown will not ofliciat-e as Referee, as his services will be requisitioned by the N.Z. Council to supervise the all important details, and another will have to be s-clectcd to control the game.