SOCCER NOTES

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 238, 5 September 1928, Page 10

SOCCER NOTES

JUNIOR REPRESENTATIVE GAME. FLOCK HOUSE’S UNASSAILABLE POSITION.

(By “Centre-Half.”)

On Saturday tho junior representatives were given a game, their opponents being Wanganui juniors. The homo team were a little superior in all departments of the game with tho possible exception of goal-keeping, tho Manawatu custodian having but little

to do. With the strong wind—which right through prevented either eleven playing its best football—behind them in tho first spell, the visitors could only score one goal, while they enjoyed very little territorial superiority. After tho interval Manawatu made the most of tho advantage of tho breeze and stormed their opponents’ citadel time and time again, but it was well into the spell before they scored. After that there was no holding them and four more goals were rattled on in good time. Too little was asked of Edyvean to form an opinion of tho Manawatu goalie’s worth, but he acquitted himself well. French and Hands made their mistakes, but they did not let the matter rest there and on every occasion retrieved their errors.

The home half-line was very strong, j both on attack and defence, and pro- ; bably the secret of Manawatu’s vic- > tory lay there. Wagstaffe, Bird and I Gardiner—all played steady football, I and it would be hard to differentiate i between therii. 1 Of the forwards, McLaren, who was 1 responsible for four goals, including a penalty, was about the best. He was always in position, a strong point of tho homesters, and had the ability to put “drive” behind his shots. Smillie showed some nice ball-control, but seemed stiff. He was inclined to be : lackadaisical. D. Anderson was quite i a good attacking pivot, but missed one : shot at a practically open goal. Sliar- 1 man and W. Anderson were steady and | ] retained their positions well. t It would bo difficult to single out < any of the visitors as they were all < very even. Thev did not play as god ] football as did their opponents, but it 1 was a case of playing as well as they 1 were allowed. Also they were a lighter J and slower team than the local boys. . 1 ATHLETIC DEFEAT R.S.A. « ■ t

Athletic gave a glimpse of what they are capable of when they defeated R.S.A. last Saturday bv four goals to two. With the wind behind them they played their best in the first spell, Beere seemingly making a big difference, and had a 3 —l lead at tho interval. Tho defection of Fitzherbert did not leave such a gap in the black de- 1 fence as usual for ITearsey deputised very capably despite his injured leg. The game was not brilliant, but there were some bright patches, notably Watt’s shooting —he scored three goals—and J. Crowe’s goal for the losers. Just on time the ex-soldiers were conceded a corner. Baigent landed the ball in the goal-mouth and Crowe ran through at a great pace to take the ball ion his head and score a pretty goal. R.S.A. by their defeat were put out of the running in the league, of whietli Flock House are now undisputed champions.

FLOCK HOUSE AT WELLINGTON. Flock House apparently created quite a favourable impression in Wellington, the opinion beng expressed that the 7—2 margin in favour of Watcrsiders was somewhat flattering. John played his usual fine game, while Stewart got away with his back-heel-ing to a fair extent. Goodall scored tho only two goals and was the best of the forwards.