ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 29 July 1924, Page 7

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

* WANGANUI (1) v. TARANAKI (1). ‘The Taranaki reps journeyed to Wanganui on Saturday to play the return match with that association, and after a very interesting game shared the points, each side netting one. M anganui had a strong side, and the Taranaki selectors had the pleasure of seeing every man selected, including their reserves, make the journey, which is only another instance showing the keenness of the players to gain rep honours. This fixture was arranged mostly as a try-out, as both W anganui and Taranaki, have to meet the Chinese students within the next fortnight, and on the day’s play Taranaki were slightly the better team. They lasted better, and during the last fifteen minutes were unlucky in not adding at l»ast two goals, Ramsay putting across several centres only to see the inside , forwards miss the upright by inches with lightning shots. The teams were : Wanganui. Winstanley (goal). O’Neil and Webster, c-apt. (backs). McKie, Lec-kie and Fyfe (halves). Cooper, Law. Richards, McKechnie and Mackley (forwards). Taranaki—Hart (goal), Beare and Betteridge (backs), Brown. Nicholls, capt.. and Pooch (halves), Ramsay. Galloway. Freak ley. Campbell and Pollard (forwards).

Nicholls won the toss for Taranaki and Richards started the- ball going, and immediately Cooper set off for Taranaki goal, putting across a, centre that Beare cleared weakly, and a smart return by Fyfe caused Hart to handle a shot from Mackley. Beare cleared and sent well down. Nicholls sent to Pollard, who worked down and right across to Galloway, whose shot went behind. From the free kick Mackley secured and sent to Law', who got close in and shot into Hart’s hands. Hart’s clearance was weak, and Mackley put in a pile-driver that would have beaten the goalie. Beare just got his foot to it. and conceded a, corner. The ball hovered around Taranaki’s goal mouth until Betteridge cleared with a great kick, and Freakley sent to Ramsay, who took the ball to the flag arid centred. Freakley trapped and let drive a. beauty, which Webster charged down. The Taranaki forwards took charge of the game for a time, but Wenstanley (Wanganui’s goalie) was in great form, saving shots from Campbell, Freakley and Galloway. McKie relieved the pressure and sent his right wing away. Browm stopping Cooper’s centre! Pooch headed out a dangerous centre from Fyfe and Ramsay put in a great run and centred. Galloway overran the ball when a goal looked a certainty. Webster, the Wanganui captain and left full back, was having some great tussles with Scotty Ramsay, and honours were fairly even. Hawera’s goal came as a result of a great piece of combination. Betteridge, Hawera’s full back, received a pass from Beare. Instead of trying a long shot, he took the ball to the half-way line and isent to Campbell, "’ho beat his man and transferred to Freakley, who put the ball past the Wanganui backs and raced for it. Winstanley had no chance whatever with his final shot. The goal was applauded by the spectators. The Wanganui left wing made things pretty hot after this, and Pooch and Nicholls had to' work pretty hard. Beare cleared well, ' taking the ball from Law as that player was shooting. At the other end Ramsay had hard luck, his shot hitting the iside of the net. Pollard and Campbell beat all opposition, except Winstanley, who fisted out- to O’Neil, who sent his left wing away. Hart brought off a great save, conceding a, corner from the flag kick. ■ McKechnie headed on to' the bar and Ritchie shot over. Fyfe tried a long shot which just missed. 1 Galloway tried a solo and then passed to Ramsay. A goal looked a certainty, but Jock was offside. Taranaki were still pressing when half-time came, Taranaki leading, I—o.1 —0. On resuming Wanganui set up a strong attack. Betteridge and Beare were playing on top and were playing well together. Pooch sent to Ramsay, who found Webster too- good. Leckie had his work cut out with Freakley and Co. The whole forward line was playing well together. A free kick for Wanganui gave their forwards a chance, and Hart brought down the house with some great saves, one particularly fine effort when three Wanganui forwards rushing the ball at the same time saw him first out from under the bar, and then Wanganui were on the defensive for a while and their goal had a narrow escape. Had Freakley steadied himself he must have scored. Directly afterwards Galloway skimmed the bar. and then Pooch tried a long one from about thirty yards, which just went over. Wanganui played the'offside game to perfection, and Pollard only had Winstanley to beat when the whistle blew. O’Neil took the kick and the Wanganui forwards showed some great combination which ended in Mackley running in to a centre from Cooper and putting a first timer past Hart, which he never sighted. A. great shot. Taranaki 1. Wanganui 1. Wanganui went for the lead after this success, and Pooch had to concede a corner to Richards. Cooper put the flag kick over the top. Galloway and Ramsay showed some pretty footwork, ami Ramsay got in sonie good centres which went begging. Wanganui seemed to he tiring. " The game had been fast all through. The final whistle sounded with Taranaki attacking with no alteration to the score. A. few enthusiasts chained Scotty to the dressing room. Mr. Stewart was the referee. TA RA NAKT ENTERTAINED. After the match the visitors were entertained by the Wanganui Association at the Druids’ Hall, where a sumptuous feast had been prepared. Air. Scott (V auganui's genial president) was in the chair and briefly welcomed the visitors, stating that'Taranaki is visit was always looked forward to and wishing evervonc an enjoyable evening. Mr. Adams replied to the toast of 1 arauaki Football Association, and expressed the thanks of the visitors to their hosts for a very enjoyable day. Other toasts were: “Soccer” (Mr Cummings),- “Wanganui Football Association” (Mr. Morgan—Mr. Jordan). Kindred Sports” (Mr. Hunter—Mr. P inlay), “Referees” (Mr. Stewart). During the evening items were l-en-elered by Messrs. Richards, O’Neil. Nicholls. Ramsay and the Remvii-k brothers, and others. “Auld Lang tsyno brought a very enjoyable evening to a close.