ASSOCIATE FOOTBALL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIV, Issue 740, 23 June 1923, Page 3

ASSOCIATE FOOTBALL.

WELLINGTON BEAT MANAWATD

BATTLE IN THE MUD.

The attraction of the afternoon at the Showgrounds yesterday was the trial of strength between teams representing Wellington and Manawatu Football Associations. Proceedings opened with the contest between the schoolboy representatives, but the heavy nature of the playing area which, with each succeeding day, had become more closely approaching a state of quagmire, militated against good play and the boys had a heavy ta.sk. The game was played in the rain and the superiority in stature and weight of the local team gave them a material advantage and they ran out winners by six goals to nil. The scoring was, however, well distributed, those netting goals being Anderson (2), T. and E. Young, F. Sniillie and It. Lovejoy one each. Mr Neward refereed. THE SENIOR GAME.

Wellington kicked off and entered Manawatu territory and Cutler was called on to save twice in close succession. The local forward lino broke away, but a shot from the left wing went'wide. Back swept Wellington, but the goalie proved unbeatable and he listed a high one over the bar. Play swayed up and down the held and from an invasion by the local team Hearsey had a shot, but the goalie turned outside and the subsequent corner was fruitless. From a clearance by Coombe Kennedy carried down field and a corner was forced. The kick presented Bell with an opportunity and he turned it to account.—Manawatu 1, Wellington 0. Manawatu sustained the aggressive but could not find the net and Wellington cleared to the opposite end, where Palmer missed a long range shot. Shortly after from a corner luck, the ball was headed goalwards, but Cutler brought off a brilliant save. Half-time found the score unaltered. The second spell found Wellington holding the advantage, the heavy gw'ng having left its mark on the local team, and it was only at long intervals that they entered the danger zone. The visitors were now playing with splendid combination and the half-line, maintaining their positions well,,were feeding their forwards very judiciously. The home backs were making great efforts to withstand the assaults and Coombe, Whitehead and Smith were playing a great uphill game, for the forward line had crumpled and, although Hearsey carried downfiek! on occasions, his supports could not be depended upon. The first score for the visitors came from a beautiful shot from their left winger, Patterson.—Wellington 1, Manawatu 1. Wellington maintained the pressure and in the closing sOfges Gilbertson (inside left) added two further goals and tlio visitors ran out winners in a hard, slogging game by three goals to one. Wellington fully deserved their win, for their forwards were vastly superior to the local lino and their condition enabled them to last through a hard game, whereas the homo lino crumpled badly! The Manawatu backs were workin"' "representatives. Rev. Duncumb held the whistle.