SOCCER BALL

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXII, Issue 175, 9 July 1932, Page 3

SOCCER BALL

SACHS-JOHNSTON SHIELD NO CHANGE IN POSITIONS. LAST SATURDAY’S MATCHES. (By “Side Liner.”) No further alterations occurred in the positions of the teams in the Sachs-Johnston competition as a result of last Saturday’s games.

As anticipated, Factory went down to Y.M.C.A. at Napier in a very faitgame. The match did not produce many thrills, which will doubtless come when the knock-out semi-finals are drawn and played. United defeated Wanderers, who were without Hawthorne in goal, for whom Stone deputised. The game was nothing out of the ordinary. United were without Jock Cardie and Jack Butcher. Brigden kept a very good goal, and Bell and Chambers were In great form at back. McKinven took Butcher’s place at centre half. He commenced in rather a ragged manner, but improved wonderfully as the game progressed. Frank Butcher and Marnoch were not much troubled with the Wanderers' wing men.

Simmonds once again proved that he is a class forward. He played a sterling game for United.

Broadhurst is still showing improvement, but is weak in his kicking. Lush again failed to turn numerous excellent opportunities of scoring to account. Anderson, outside of the two goals be obtained, was much as per usual. Charlie Cardie is the most promising of the younger members, and with coaching anj encouragement should develop into a very serviceable player.

Bangers Unlucky. Rangers were again unlucky to lose to Whakatu, and yet on the other hand were also extremely lucky in not being decisively beaten in the first ten minutes. The game did not create much excitement, yet at various times there were plenty of thrills. Whakatu started off at a great pace, and absolutely overwhelmed the Rangers in the first ten minutes, during which period the Magpies should have had at least four goals. A fair share of luck, inability of the Whakatu forwards to put the finishing touch to their movements, and the fine goalkeeping of Tasker, all conspired to prevent Whakatu from obtaining a big lead.

As it was, from a weak-kicking disorganised rabble, the Rangers gradually pulled themselves together, and fought back the opposition, the remainder of the game being of a very even nature. The goal that Rangers did obtain seemed certainly legitimate, but the referee ruled otherwise, and the Blues had to be content with a one to nil defeat.

The shooting, taking it right through, was deplorable by both teams. Tasker played a great game in goal for the Rangers. Shepherd was again the best of the backs. Bobby Grayplayed well in the halves, being most abl-y supported by Christie. Barron was the outstanding forward. He was always there or thereabouts, and besides putting across finely-placed centres, which always went begging, he also was one of the three forwards on the field who could shoot, and some of his shots were splendid. Atkins was shaky in the first half, but after the interval kept a fine goal and made several quite sensational clearances, nearly all of which shots came from the boot of Barron. Chris-

tison was steady and reliable, although Barron evaded him time and again. That versatile player Harry Penman filled the left back position with credit. Harry, like Christison, is usually most consistent. McLelland was the best half. Currie was vigorous rather than polished, but got through a tremendous amount of work. Offen is still the same as ever. He does not show any improvement. Leaning, like Barron, played a cracker-jack of a game. He was quick and clever, and his goal was one of the best seen for some time on the Park. He was essentially the most dangerous forward on the field, and nearly surprised Tasker on more than one occasion. . Dave Penman was good, and gave Tasker several nasty ones to deal with. McAleese was neat and clever, and his ball control very good. 'Dymock on the wing was little, if nt all, inferior to his comrades. The only weak link in anothrewise fine, skilful forward line was McMillan at inside right. Mac is not getting an-y younger, and is not nearly so quick as he used to be, but he usually knows what to do with the ball when he gets it.

To-day’s Games. To-day’s games should not make much difference in the placings of the teams in the competition. Y'.M.C.A. cannot now be displaced, and it is on the cards that Unites will move into second place, and a poor second at that. Wanderers may continue to occupy the bottoih rung of the ladder. The table reads: —

Goals. P. W. I.. D. for ag. 1’1 V.M.C.A. . .. 7 6 ii 1 27 11 13 United . •. 7 .'1 .‘1 1 2-> U> i Factory .. .' 7 2 2 3 IS 14 7 Whakatu 7 3 3 1 Id 17 7 Bangers . .. 7 1 3 3 !.l ."> Wanderers ..7151 y IS 3