SOCCER.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 28 June 1926, Page 5

SOCCER.

PLAY AND PLAYERS.

TARANAKI NOTES (By “Kick-off.”)

At tlie annual meeting of the Taranaki Football Association, field at Stratford, tfie Hawera delegates were emphatic in their demands for mid-week football. One speaker stressed tfie point that Wednesday was practically tfie only day Hawera could turn out a full team, and' yet to date tfieir strongest teams have played in Saturday matches.

How was it that only seven players could make the trip ,to Stratford. True two players turned up later in the afternoon, and the Stratford Club lent men to complete the team. “Kickoff” thinks that Hawera would do well tio- stick to Saturday football. W. Johnstone, New Plymouth’s inside right, lias created .something! of a record. He scored four goals against Hawera, and the following Saturday he netted five times against a team from the Rualiine. Nine goals in two atefies is pretty good scoring lor oue man, and a record that anyone might be- proud of. While on goal-kicking, it is worthy of mention that Hawera’s total of goa’s to date for this season is eight, of which total W. Newton Recounts for seven. Jackson. Auroa’s outside left, scored four in two matches, getting tfie equaliser at New Plymouth. The next, week lie did the “hat trick” at Auroa against Manaia. 1 stated in my last motes that a close gam e should be the result of the New Plymouth v, Auroa. match. The score of I—l proved that the surmise was correct. Although it was reported that it wrs not a brilliant exposition, it must Tie remembered that - a -team can only play as well as the opposing side will allow, and vice versa. But one thing is certain, that Auroa should be the favourites for the cup. They have yet to play New Plymouth at Auroa, but playing on one’s own ground is a big help in Soccer, and I believe the)' are getting ready to celebrate in Auroa. However, -there is many a- -slip betwixt the cup and the lip, and one never knows.

Auroa’s win against Stratford on Thursday by 7 goals to. 2 makes their position all the stronger. Can anyone work this out: If Stratford can beat Hawera by 4 goals to 1, and Auroa beat Stratford by 7 goals to 2, and Hawera drew with Auroa I—l,1 —1, what will he the result of the game between Hawera and Auroa, at Hawera? Last year’s champions (Manaia) seem to be having a bad spin. In -last Saturday’s game against Auroa they had as much of the play as their opponents. hut lacked the finish that scores goals, and were beaten 3—l. They have a chance in the Chinese Citizens’ Cup, which they still hold. At the’meeting of the Taranaki Football Association held at Man aia recently, the question of putting in a challenge for the Brown Shield _ was considered, and after a general discussion, was held over. If the proposed tour eventuates, it will be impossible to entertain the idea, but it is to be hoped that an effort will b© made to compete for that handsome trophy. To win it would be a great help to Soccer in Taranaki.

Soccer is booming in New Plymouth and district. Welcome- to the Caledonian football team! They have only to play up to th e reputation of the club they are named after to be the king pin’ -of Soccer in Taranaki. I understand thev are entering in the Chinese Citizens’ Cup competition, and a case of the -survival of the fittest. Now, what about Inglewood and Waitara. Tlrey have the players there.