CANADA 5, NELSON 0

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 10 June 1927, Page 6

CANADA 5, NELSON 0

SISTER DOMINION SOCCER EXPERTS

MATCH AT TRAFALGAR PARK

Them was a fair attendance at. Trafalgar Park yesterday afternoon to seo the Canadian exponents of the Association code play a Nelson representative team. Pupils of the Boys' College were present in force, together with a number of primary school children. The ground was in good condition, and sunny weather prevailed with a light breeze which died down soon after the ; commencement of play. ] The Canadians were in all departments of the gaino more polished than their opponents. Nevertheless, the local team put up a good fight, and it. is v doubtful if the final score was a true “ representation of the difference between thb : "teams. The Nelson team did not ' combine as well as the Canadians, but their defence was sound, particularly ' good work in this department being put in by Smalley and the Nelson goalkeeper, Smith. Bourne, too, showed up at times. The Canadians have by their long association as a team and by much practice become experts at the short passing game. The advantage of those laities was apparent yesterday. While most of the Canadian short passing riishes were dangerous, the visitors seldom had' any difficulty in trapping the local Team’s long kicks.

THE teams CANADA Goal H. Noseworthy. Full Backs D. M. Graham (Capt.), M. Moon Half Backs R. Williams J. Monaghan, D. Thompson Forwards W. Milligan, P. Pogson, D. Turner, • ■ jy Davidson, P. Francis. NELSON Goal A. Smith Full Backs 1?. Lane P. Smalley Half Backs H. Leake L. Bourne A. R. Hurst Forwards J. MuxiCastcr, E. Johnstone, W. Gould J. Guy, W. Smith Noseworthy was in the Canadian goal in place of the regular man, Tait. THE PLAY

Nelson won the toss, and elected io defend the southern end of the field. Right from the beginning Canada be- - v gan : to press, and after the kiok off the ball travelled to their outside right who shot in only to have the ball cleared by a good kick from Lane. Muncaster, ' with" the ball at his toes, beat the . Canadian half and took play to. the visitors’ -temtory,' but it was quickly returned to the'vicinity of the Nelson net. ' A.";shot'from ■ Davidson (Canada) was bayed'by the’ Nelson goalie who was ap-' pillfided' for his quickness. A further httablc'klaunched’ by Canada looked very tliteateninf 5 for Nelson, but Bourne saVeS'almost in the goal mouth. . 1 The Nelson forwards managed to get clear away with the ball, but the movement was spoilt 1 by W. Smith kicking ,too hard. Muncaster trapped the return kick, and finally passed to Gould, enabling‘-him ’to shoot. The kick went over the bar. The Canadians again took . charge, and' a pretty short passing rush ftriisjied up with a strong shot from -Turner which Smith saved by flinging '“himself along the ground across the goal. The visitors still pressed until a , nicely placed centre kick by Millige* (Canada) enabled Davidson to cut , through and score. ! ; Canada 1, Nelson 0. Canada’s soundness in defence was i brought out by the next few minutes’ ! play, when it was evident that the Nelson; team would. have a hard job to jiejfetraio fiT W.' Smith (Nelson) took lip tHe wing, but. his centre ktyKi'Was intercepted by the opposing left'half, who beat Guv and Gould for . the ball "By a determined effort Nelson returned play to’ the Canadian area, and, ; after ’ beating Williams/ Smalley kicked ", within a very few moments Leake'was called upon to save bv inter- , peptiiig. a"iOftg shot in the Nelson goal .'. mouth; the goalie haying run out to ; clear. ’

Smalley was playing a splendid game for "Nelson, and time after time he spoilt dangerous opposing movements. Ojip of his useful kicks saw Nelson in a good position, and Canada had to re. lieva by conceding 'a corner. Nelson caught the ball, but Bourne headed it just a little too high. Nelson now began to play with more confidence and press strongly. Tliev were spurred on by enthusiasm from the spectators. The Canadian goalie was again called upon to save. Hurst intercepted his return kick, and swung the ball out To the right wing, Muncaster. This movement was upset, hut a similar one was starred almost, immediately. The right wing, on the move again', beat Moon for the ball. Pogson, the Canadian inside right, was slightly injured at this stage of the game, and had to retire for a short time.

Canada once again brought play dangerously near the Nelson goal,'and a brilliant save by Smith was heartily np. plauded. The hall then travelled the whole length of the field, and the Canadian goal keeper was in his turn called upon to block a fast shot. A free kick was here given against a visitor for jumping, but play was quickly transferred to the Nelson end of the field, where Smith was again called on to make a good save. The ball was returned, but Hurst headed it away from the net. The game zig-zagged across the centre of the field until just a few seconds before the half-time whistle sounded Turner (Canada) just missed with a strong shot. Canada 1, Nelson 0 SECOND HALF Upon resuming both teams speeded up and Smith, in the home goal, had soon to save a fast shot Loin Turner. More give and cake play followed until a break away by the Nelson forwards saw W. Smith send a shot which stopped in the visiting goal keeper's hands. Neat footwork and trapping around the Nel son goal saw Thompson increase the visitors’ score.

Canada 2, Nelson 0

One clever save bv Lane could not stern the Canadians’ impetuosity, and one of their forwards sent in a fast low shot which was well stopped by A. Smith. The Irall was st.il] kept, in the neighbourhood of the Nelson goal. The home team had to concede a corner kick but. offside play by one of the visitors relieved the position. For some minutes Nelson’s forcing tactics kept play in their opponents’ half of, tin: field, but Canada again took charge. Turner in a handy position kicked wide. The borne team made another rally, and after good play by W. Smith and Guy the Canadian goalkeeper had to fist out the ball. It came to Bourne who sent in a hot shot just grazing the bar.

VISITORS’ SUPERIOR FINISH GIVES THEM AD VANTAGE

Play travelled up and down field for some minutes, and each goalkeeper in turn was given some work to do. Smith for Nelson effected one exceptionally good save. A back pass by a Canadian saw the ball travelling towards the Nelson goal, only to he saved by Smith. His kick out was trapped by an opponent, and Milligan sent in a shot, which gave the goalkeeper no chance. Canada 3. Nelson 0

The Canadians were now getting most of the play, but on two or three occasions the home team had the ball in dangerous proximity to the opposing goal. From a kick out the visitors took the ball down the field, and Turner sent in a fast shot into, this net. * Canada 4. Nelson 0

Nelson launched an attack which was stopped by the Canadian goalie who sent tlie'ball well down the field. An overhead kick by Davidson (Canada) saw A. Smith save, but Williams (Canada) received the kick and sent home a long fast shot before Smith could recover. Canada 5. Nelson 0

There was no further score in tlie match, but while saving, iust before time, the Canadian goalie slipped and was nearly hustled into the net. The final scores were:— Canada 5, Nelson 0.

Mr J. H. Parker controlled the game and linesmen were W. Gibson and J. Piper.

NOTE? As compared with the local team the visitors showed quicker shooting, better combination and faster passing. Taken as a whole the match was a very interesting one to watch, particularly to people, from the Homeland. It, should help to boost soccer along in Nelson, especially as the gate realised over £BO, despite the match being held on a Thursday, and that shopkeepers refrained from closing their establishments. Flic play of the Nelson team and the response of the public, and the very fine feeling that exists among sports bodies in Nelson, as evidenced by the reception tendered the Canadians at the Council Chamber on Wednesday evening, must be very encouraging to those connected with tile Nelson Football Association. FURTHER COMMENT The following interest ing observations on the game were made by a Nelsonian

who lias had a long experience of Soccer.

“Commenting' on the day's play it can safely be said there was noL a (lill'erence of live goals between the two teams. The Canadians had the advantage of better combination and nil understanding of each other’s play; in placing a bail they invariably passed la one. of (heir own. (.cam, while their *#ork was Tfidfc' lmiktiedV as was inly natural as’ compared to the Nelson team, and in front of goal they Shot hard and low on every possible opportunity. The Nelson players were far from being disgraced, in fact, outside the Wellington match, (lie Canadians scored fewer goals yesterday (ban in any previous match they have been engaged in to dale. There were no passengers in the Nelson team and every man was a trier. It was only to be expected that the play of the Nelson boys would not be so polished as that of iheir opponents. In a team where every man did liis best it is hard to single out any player, but Smalley, the skipper of the Nelson team, played a grand game and set. a splendid example to his men, whilst one would have to go a long wav to see a finer exhibition than that given by the Nelson goalkeeper, A. Smith, who goi his side out of difficulty time after time. Bourne at centre-half was also outstanding.”

ENTERTAINED AT DINNER. At tlie Commercial Hotel in the evening the visitors were the. guests of the Nelson Football Association at dinner. Mr ,1. H. Parker (president) was in the chair, and in addition to representatives of kindred sports tho Mayor (Mr W. J. Moffat t) and Mr H. At more, M.P., were present. The proceedings were..of an enjoyable nature, and a large' toast list was honoured. In proposing the toast of tlie visitors, the chairman said the experienced gained by the local team in the match' that day would be of immense benefit, and players should endeavour to low in fiie footsteps of tlie. Canadians. Mr Adam, manager of the Canadians, in replying, thanked the Association for tlie manner in which arrangements for the match had' boon carried out. He also expressed the team’s sincerest thanks for the hospitality extended to them during their all too, short a stay in .Nelson. lie was sorry their stay was not longer, as lie understood Nelson was a. city of history, and lie would have liked the opportunity of inquiring move deeply into the early days of the Settlement. After praising tlie Nelson team for their performance that day Mr Adam said his boys would long remember their visit “to your wonderful citv—the city of sunshine.”

The toast."of the Nelson team was in the hands of the 'Mayor. He said he was

nol a( all diffident about praising them lor I lie line. exhibition they bad given against, the visitors. Nelson always held its own on the field of sport. What pleased him was <ln-, intense interest shown by Ibc .spectators and the encouragement given by the College boys. It was quile a feature of the game, more particularly’ as the jjuy'it dill not play soccer. The Mayor expressed tiio nope that; Canada on. some- j'ulore occasion would send * Rugby' learn to New Zealand.

Air Smalley, captain of the learn, replied, remarking that lie Imped local players would take lo heart what the Canadian team had shown them.

In proposing the toast of the Canadian Association, Air Atniore paid a warm Iribiuc lo the pioneers of (be oldest dominion, whose exploits had thrilled us when as boys we were taught the history of Canada. The difficulties that I lie pioneers of Canada mot with could only have been overcome by the sturdy stock which went, to. Canada, as was also I lie case with New Zealand. Referring to Ibe match, Air Almnre said the spectators must have been thrilled wild the sight of 22 line specimens of British manhood indulging in a, game that, called for a display of nerve and quick decision and made for sturdy manhood. After brief reference "to the legacy left by tlie war, and the way in which they could be overcome, "Mr Atniore quoted a couple of verses of the ‘‘Canadian Pioneer,” to the evident appreciation of the visitors. In replying. Air Adam said be was delighted lo bear such an eloquent tribute as that given by Mr Atniore. He could quite see why Air Atniore bad been chosen to represent this district in the dominion Parliament. Air Adam went on to say he was deeply grateful to the New Zealand Council for making the trip possible, and was looking forward to a return visit from New Zealand. It ‘■was.a great pleasure to the team to -ve so many schoolboys present at tho match and thought the rising generation ..ad been converted to- the game of soccer. Other toasts honoured were: Tide New Zealand Football Association (proposed by Mr Smith, and responded to by Air Sanders, representing the New Zealand Council); the Nelson Association (Messrs Pyc-k'mith and Preen); the, Referee (Mr Davidson and Air J. ft. Parker); Kindred Sports (Mr Claughtou and Messrs Frank and Davidson, representing respectively the, Rugby Union and Hoc-key Association); the Ladies (Air Atniore); and Tho Press (Air Coxhill ;yid the. “Mail” representative). The proceedings closed with tlie singing of the National Anthem.

The Canadians left, for Westport this morning. The Bailor representatives will lie played to-morrow.