ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVI, Issue 173, 23 June 1926, Page 7

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

R.S.A. STRIKE FORM, CHAMPIONSHIP MORE EVEN. (By “Hotspur.”) The game on Saturday has considerably altered the appearance of the championship table and, now that R.S.A. have defeated Athletic, better football can be anticipated for tlve third and final round of the senior league competition. A glance at the chart reveals the fact that the exsoldiers, although they are tlireo points behind the premier team, have a slight advantage in the number of goals scored for and against. St. Andrew’s are' also in a similar position in comparison with Rangors’ aggregate. The match on Saturday between Athletic and R.S.A. was notable because of the open and spectacular game played by both teams. The ball was constantly on the move and the combined forward attacks, particularly by the reds, were scientific and rapid. There was one thing which marred the spirit of the contest, however, and this was the continual talking on the field and touch-line. Mention has previously been made in these columns about this objectionable habit and the time is opportune for somo restriction.

Athletic were without the services of their mainstay—Hcarsey—and, with Travers, junior, incapacitated, the combination was naturally upset, but nevertheless it is doubtful whether the eleven would have emerged victorious with this additional aid. Beer played the hardest game for the blacks and Whitehouse was conspicuous at intervals.

R.S.A. undoubtedly struck top form last week—the team, individually and collectively, could do nothing wrong and Travers, who was at his best, launched attacks repeatedly which culminated in well-earned goals. There is no question now that all other elevens will be obliged to keep well up to standard for future games, as the reds mean business and will not bo satisfied until they repeat last season’s performance and once more occupy the coveted position at the head of the championship laddpr. The soccer match arranged as a Show fixture between a senior eleven from Flock House and the Manawatu junior reprevsentative team was a decided success and the selectors may be congratulated on choosing two sides so evenly balanced for an exhibition display. ” Tho first appearance of the Hostei hoys locally this season has left a good impression and one is at a loss to understand why the club lias notmade more headway in the senior league. Sheehan and Stewart were brilliant for tho visitors and Macdonald, Morgan and Crowe (in goal) were tho pick of the Manawatu B combination.

A good deal of dissatisfaction was expressed on Saturday last, when players of a club team arrived on the ground ready for a senior fixture only to find that the match had been abandoned by mutual agreement. The association should see that players are notified of such a happening to prevent any unpleasantness. It is interesting to note that Stewart and Sheehan, of Flock House, have represented Scotland and England respectively in the schoolboy international games. The former in 1920 played at inside-right and was successful in registering for his side. The R.S.A. and St. Andrew’s Football Clubs wore not lacking in initiative during show week and were energetic enough to organise a method of raising funds which, it is understood, has been successful. The annual New Zealand primary schools’ tournament will bo held in "Wellington this year early in September, and as an indication of the growth of school soccer in the Dominion it may he mentioned that teams will be participating from Auckland, Waikato, Manawatu, Canterbury, Otago and Wellington. Interest is added to tho football of the boys by tho fact that this season a fourth and a fifth grade representative team are going to Wellington from Canterbdry. The future of football for the.boys is bright. There are tho right kind of men at the head of affairs, and if tho lads are well looked after now tho result will be. beneficial to the game, generally, when the boys of today take their places in tho ranks of tho senior teams of to-morrow.

CUP FINAL AT WEMBLEY

The Sydney Referee’s Rugby expert saw the English Cup final at Wembley, and the following extracts are made from his special report, which will be particularly interesting to soccerites in New Zealand: —“Tne English Cup final, Bolton Wanderers v. Manchester City, at Wembley Stadium, on April 24th, was to an Australian seeing a soccer match for the first time in England, absorbing, instructive, and, in a sense, educational, with' Bolton winners by a goal to nil. I reached England six days before the match, having travelled through Southern Europe with the Australian cricketers. As readers of the Referee know, I am a Rugby enthusiast first, yet I heartily enjoy a game under either the soccer or Australian code. “When we reached our seats, the view revealed a wonderful arena and seating accommodation that surpassed anything I had seen anywhere else. The Stadiums at the University of California and Stanford University are different in many ways, and very imposing. But they do not provide accommodation for so many people, nor, I fancy, are the seats so comfortable. The public was not able to get into the Stadium on the day by paying at the gates. Admission was by ticket only, and, as these had all been sold, those who arrived expecting to view tlie match without having taken the precaution to reserve a seat, were disappointed. “Rattlers that made fearful noises were whirled round by men from Lancashire, garbed in quaint, fantastic attire, with headgear often grotesque. Everyone had the air of a holidaymaking man or woman. A better behaved sporting crowd could not be imagined. Even in the early morning, as men and women from provincial towns toured the London streets in charabancs, or on foot, or on top of the wonderful ’buses, they were the essence of good humour, and as witty as comedians on the stage. The game itself was crisp throughout. It was by far the finest exposition of soccer I have ever seen. English friends tell me that it was more like an average League match than a Cup final, which usually provides rather scratchy football. Bolton went off with greater pace and more subtle combination, but their shooting was too weak to penetrate an admirable defence in which goalie Goodchild

played a star part. Later, Manchester City quickened as a combination —they had been quick enough individually—and made the game very even. Their shooting was faster and better than that of Bolton, but the latter’s goal-keeper, Pym, proved a champion on the day. At half-time there was no-score. Bolton got the only goal in the second half, tho outcome of neat edmbination, a pass-in from tho left wing by Vizard to the centre being blocked by a defender, and was neatly guided by Jack between the defenders and into the net.”