ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 19 July 1924, Page 6

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

TRIAL MATCH. Another of the series of trial matches in connection with Association football with a view to selecting a representative team to play against "Wanganui and the Chinese students was played on King Edward Park on Wednesday before a fair number of spectators and in glorious weather. The teams lined out as follows:

Blacks —Goal, Hart (11); full-backs, Betteridge (M) and Beare (H); halfbacks, Nieholls (K) captain, Stewart (K), J. Campbell (K); forwards, A. Campbell (K), Ramsay (H), Galloway (H), A. Campbell (H), H. Pollard (K). Whites —Goal, Bennett (E); fullbacks, Brown (E) captain, S. Pollard (K); half-backs, Brown (A), Dev (E), B. Pollard (K); forwards, Senior (E), Kilpatrick (A), Hislop (K), Budd (M), Muggeridge (M). Brown won the toss and played with the sun at their backs. Hislop set the ball in motion for the Whites, but the Blacks secured and H. Pollard took up the wing and centred. Brown relieved, but his kick was feeble. Down swooped the Black forwards and Galloway seized an opening and banged into the net, which gave Hart no chance, registering the first goal after about five minutes’ play. From the kick-off Hislop sent out to Muggeridge, who raced up the wing and tested Betteridge, who, owing to the rush, was unable to clear, conceding a corner. Muggeridge plaoed nicely in front of goal, but Bennett fisted well out, enabling Dev to clear and take up field - , but was nicely robbed of the ball by Nieholls, who shot out to Stewart, who transferred to 11. Pollard, who centred, enabling D. Campbell to register the second goal for the Blacks low down and at short range. From this reverse the Whites pressed, but only to find the Blacks on the watcli. Ramsay secured and was challenged by Brown (Anroa), but Scotty was nimble and by tricky footwork ivas able to clear and send in a pearler, which struck the bar about trvo feet from the corner. Hart, securing, sent the ball Avell down the field. A. Campbell secured and passed neatly to Galloway, aaJio by good footwork beat all opposition and shot from a distance. The ball struck the bar and fell at Hart’s feet, aaJio cleared well again. The ball from end to end at a great pace until Nieholls secured and sent out a nice pass to H. Pollard, who took Avell up the line, but Avas stopped by BroAvn, avlio found the line. From the throAV in Campbell secured and beating all opposition registered the third goal for the Blacks, grting Hart no chance. Half-time then sounded Avith the Blacks in the lead by 3 goals to nil. On resuming Muggeridge replaced A. Campbell as centre forAA’ard for the Blacks. His good play in the first half on the left Aving brought about. ' the change, Avhieh Avas not merited by his display among good forAvards. " A. Campbell took his place on the Aving. For the Whites Bennett (Eltham) also changed Avith Hart (HaAvera). The Blaelrs hoav had the sun at their backs

and set out for the, Whites’ goal. From a nice passing rush by the Black forAvards Jock Ramsay secured Avithin shooting distance and let drive for the net, but the ball Avent Avide. From the goal kick Nieholls secured and sent

out to SteAvart. B. Pollard intercepted and sent across to Brown (Auroa), Avho placed Avell up the line to A. Campbell, who, being fleet of foot, beat all opposition and landed in the net, registering the only goal for the Whites. From this out the Blacks had the upper hand, and Campbell, GalloAvav and Muggeridge found the net in quick succession. On one occasion Bennett let the ball slip through his hands. After stopping the shot he fumbled

and the ball went into the goal. The Blacks had the best of the game throughout and made the pace from start to finish, the Whites being a far weaker team, but showed some fine individual plnjr and did well to hold the stronger team in check as they did. The game ended with the Blacks in the lead bv 6 goals to 1. The game is practically the last trial match before the representatives meet .Wanganui and the Chinese team, and it beholds every man to settle down to solid training. One or two selected to play on Wednesday failed to turn up, and the selectors, having exhausted their patience, decided to drop the absentees, who had no real excuse for being absent. Bennett (Eltham) will with a little more experience make a fine goalkeeper. His height is against him. The Eltham Club would do well to hang on to him, as lie will be an asset to their team. Hart (Hawera) is the better goalkeeper, having more height and a better kick, and he is always alert, but would be well advised to keep a better watch on those nippy forwards, who take every opportunity of scoring. Betteridge is a solid kick and active, and looks a footballer all over. If Don uses his head as well a 3 his feet and places the ball to advantage he will be hard to beat. Beare always seems to get to the ball when wanted and played a rather better game than he has done of late. He is a back to be depended upon, although not in the same street as backs I have seen. lie is very safe, and the selectors may be excused if they include him in the team. Brown (Auroa) is a worker and can break up any combination, but he should get into solid training' right away and reduce his weight. Calloway (Hawera) has played himself into the team, for no player has improved to the same extent as Galloway has. He is said to be in solid training and probably will continue to improve. He and Scotty Ramsay are a fine combination. 11. Pollard and Tiny Campbell also play well together on the left wing, Pollard being very clever with his feet and appears to run round his opponents in great style, while Campbell never misses an opportunity to score. Nicholls (Kaponga) is a tiger to work, and where the ball is Nicholls will generally be found. He uses splendid juudgment in placing the ball. Of Pooch (Hawera) little need be said, for the whole of Taranaki knows his worth in a team, and he will prove a thorn in the side of Wanganui and the Chinese team, but whether he or Nicholls will play centre half it has not been decided yet, for both are good. Tt is. necessary that every man should get into hard training immediately. Mr Geo. Reading made an efficient referee.