SOCCER FOOTBALL.

Grey River Argus, 27 June 1922, Page 8

SOCCER FOOTBALL.

MILLERTON MATCH. Before a fair crowd a football match (the proceeds being in aid of the Russian Famine Fund) was played at Millerton on Sunday week last, when Millerton Thistles were beaten by Millerton Wanderers, by two goals to nil. Thistles turned out a strong team, including some new nrri\:»! from the land of oat cakes. The Wamo rers team was: Hunter, R. Davidson, Meikle, MeBriar, G. Newman, Mulgrovc, White, T. Mvthvcii, T. Davidson, Johnstone, and Clark. The Thistle team was: Erie Smith, Aiplerson, Beverland, Nicholls, Duncan, Phillips, Thorburn, Gibb. Saunders, and Curran. The ground was very dry, and fast play was expected, but it turned out a game of backs punting the ball over the forwards, and causing them a lot of unnecessary running. Thistles were first to force, but Phillips shot past from a nice cross by Thorburn. The Wanderers next pressed but Davidson cleared. Mulgrovc had a. shot, but Anderson cleared. Newman narrowly missed the mark shortly after. Clark forced a corner off Smith and Mulgrovc shot over. A foul off Davidson lot Thistles in, but Hunter ably cleared. Billy Johnson, getting possession, got well up, but Anderson was there. White returned and forced a corner off Beverland, but Methven shot wildly over. Anderson placed to Gibb, who let Phillips away, lint the ball ran out.. White at. the other end shot past when well set. Wanderers were doing some shooting but it was faulty. The team as a whole was 1 not blending as it should. 'The Thistles , were scraggy, and long-kicking resulting in the backs doing some huge punts, with plenty of time to do it. White ran up, crossed nicely, and Davidson missed with his head. The Wanderers were more dangerous than Thistles, but only in snap runs, and Anderson had the measure of the forwards and his fine kicking was a feature of the game. Phillips had hard luck in shooting past, and Currcn carried the ball over the line. Chances wore frequent, but not a man to make the best of them. Gibb headed in ami Newman cleared. Curran shot past. A throw-in to Thistles, and Hunter cleared easily. Saunders was feeble in shooting. A quick recovery by Davidson saved his side a go - 1. Phillips spoild his chance bv getting off-side. Meth ven scored, it being the best of a lot of chance shots for goal, Mulgrovc was the hero of the game, never at rest, always in the thick of fl, and let Clark away but. his shot uprooted a manuka bush at the corner flag! Thistles’ combination was beginning to set in. but Newman :n.l Mulgrovc held them at all moves. Saunders had a pot at goal, but shot past. Smiler, White. Johnstone and Davidson had a nice effort, the ball going past. A melee in front of Pfeffer saw Nicholls taking the weight off by fiehljng well. Anderson was defending well and turning likely efforts into useless work. P. Phillips collided with another player and retired for repairs. With 10 players Thistles held the Wanderers, but Smiler had a fly at Pfeffer, who just cleared. Gibb pressed and Davidson missed, but Hunter was there and returned. Half time, I —o. The second half, for some reason or another, was a replica of the first half, long range shooting being all the players cored about, Mulgrovc ami Mefhven i shooting over in succession. Nicholls shot, but Hunter saved easily. Haun dors shot over. Nicliolls again tested Hunter, but the light ball was easily stopped. Newman had a snap at Pfeffer, but it was weak. Davidson pul in :i cross ami Clark forced a corner off Smith. Nicholls tried Hunter with a beauty. Methvon then tried Pfeffer. Wanderers front rank with nice passing worked down, but Newman had a Rugby kick over the bar. Excitement was raised when Davidson was going in; a bad miss by Anderson and Johnstone raised the score to 2—o. The next nearest, to a score was when Curran crossed the ball to an open goal and nobody tor if. I uni against Davidson for obstructing a ml GP.b shoots past. Thorburn latei - forced Hunter to turn a bad shot aside giving away a corner. The placing of the good horses at this stage, was, Mulgiovc I, Nicholls 2, Anderson 3. The rest, also ran! The backs did a bit of punting to one another. Thistles front rank played well for a bit, but no results. Davidson dropped a ball right on Pfeffer’s b;r, and ('lark shot past fwm an awkward position. Tarzans returned and Paddy Phillips resumed the baffle, and I place him fourth on tho list as one of the hardest workers of the day. Anderson, with clean kicking and fine play, robbed Wanderers of not a few goals. Thorburn crossed and Saunders headed in, and Hunter lifted if over the bar to save. Phillips took a corner and so well was it placed that Hunter had to turn it behind to reHeve.- The next corner saw Nichol heading in, but Newman cleared. A lot more kicking and the score ended: Wanderers 2, Thistle 0. J'J\o teams have entered for the competitions in the Buller district. The Hall Cup and the Webster Cup are to be competed for.