SOCCER FOOTBALL

Grey River Argus, 31 May 1922, Page 2

SOCCER FOOTBALL

BLACKBALL V. MOONLIGHT. BLACKBALL, May 30. A good-sized crowd turned up on the Domain to witness the above game, which was of considerable importance in view of the approaching Australian visit to the West Coast. Moonlight were very confident, albeit they were minus the services of Hogg and MeNicol (injured) Blackball were similarly handicapped by the absence of Taylor and Croft. Blackball won the toss end pressed from the kick off, but Wilson in the Moonlight goal made a fine save from Drummond. The Moonlight forwards, got moving and showed nice combine- j tion, but found the Blackball backs a stumbling block. Moonlight got two free kicks close in, and Quibcll shot hard and true, but tho Blackball goal-keeper punched out the first, Balderstone heading the second out of danger. Blackball took up the running, and nice combination between the halves and forwards saw J. Kerr left in a good position on tho right wing. Racing in he drew first blood for Blackball, Wilson having no chance to save. Jolly and Quibcll got the Moonlight forwards moving but Hampson was pulled up by Balderstone near the goal, Penman clearing with a big kick which put his forwards on tho move, the Moonlight backs having to bestir themselves in order to clear. Clarke got possession and beat several opponents but his shot went wide. From tin* kick Adamson and S. Kerr broke away on the wing for Moonlight, and it needed tho combined efforts of the Blackball backs to check them. Good play by Wolstenholme placed the Moonlight goal in danger, but James shot past. Half time sounded shortly after with the score Blackball 1, Moonlight 0.

On tho resumption the brothers McNieol and Adamson m: de a raid on the Blackball goal, but tho Blackball backs who were playing a safe game, relieved. Play bee/ inc fast, the ball travelling from end to end rapidly, but Blackball wore playing with more method, a fine combined run by the halves and fori wards ending with Wolstenholme seorjing a good goal. This reverse caused Moonlight to make a determined assault on the right, Penman having to concede a corner in order to cle; r. From the kick Hampson, unmarked, sent in a fine shot which skimmed the bar. Moonlight attacked from the kick off, but the Blackball backs cleared and transferred play. Clarke tricked several players and looked like scoring, but >S. Kerr nipped in and cleared, giving a corner from which Drummond shot just wide. Adamson next essayed a run and put in a good centre {which found Hampson ■nd MuNicol in front with only the goalie to beat. They hesitated and Balderstone cleared with a good tackle. Me Donald lua-ie ■: run on the Blackball left, causing Jolly to handle. From the free kick Penman scored Blackball’s third goal a. beautiful shot. Wilson made a fine but ineffective effort to save. .Moon light nothing daunted, made a further

attack and tried hard to reduce the le; d, but the Blackball halves were tackling well and with the backs covering the goal-keeper, Moonlight did not get much chance to shoot, although both Quibcll and Hampson sent in fine long range shots which passed inches over the bar. r l'he Blackball forwards ris a result, of fine combination, forced .Neilson to concede a corner from which ’Clarke headed against the cross bar. {.Jolly clearing. Fine work by McDon|ald, James and Drummond for Blackball ended with the last named sending in a fine shot which looked a. goal all over. Wilson, however, saved in great style, Neilson kicking out of danger. Skilton and Hampson made a. last effort for Moonlight but the latter was robbed by Balderstone when about to | shoot. The final whistle found play in mid-field with Blackball the winners by 3 goals to 0.

Mr 11. Bitchie refereed efficiently. For Blackball the goalkeeper had an ’ afternoon off and was never seriously troubled, being well covered by his backs, who saw to it that the Moonlight forwards got little opportunity to shoot. McDonald, Park, and A. Clark, tho half-back (all new-comers) performed creditably. The forward lino all plaved well, Clark being verv j tricky, but lost one or two opportunities by hanging on too long. For Moonlight Wilson in goal could ' not bo blamed for the defeat and got through a heavy afternoon’s work with I credit, three of his saves being really 1 fine ones. Jolly and Neilson at back ' found the Blackball forwards fast and * at times elusive, but both stood to their 1 tasks well. Skelton and Grindle were r ’given a trial :.t half-back and for new b coiners did well. Quibell at centre half 1 worked hard but was hardly up- to his usual standard, although he sent in one s fine long shot that would have taken :t lot of stopping had it been inches lower. The forwards were all fast and nippy and played well in midfield, but lacked the necessary finish to penetrate the Blackball defence.