ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 26 May 1936, Page 7

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

CELTIC DEFEAT ATHLETIC • BY THREE GOALS TO ONE FAST, INTERESTING PLAY Celtic and Athletic met at Victory Square. Both teams were at full strength and the large crowd present were treated to a most spectacular game. A repetition of such play is sure to draw the soccer loving supporters to Victory Square. The game was played at a fast pace, Celtic emerging victorious by 3 goals to one chiefly through their ability to make the most of their chances when near the goals. The teams were fairly evenly matched in the outfield. The teams were as follows: Athletic: Smith, Mansell, Devereaux, Lownes, Bunster, May, Beveridge, Strange, Richards, McKellar, Willis. Celtic: Rae, Alborough, Coxhill, Twort, Mackie, Hurst, Campbell, Banks, McGinty, Scott, Dore. The referee was Mr Thomason. Athletic kicked off and attacked on the left, Twort stopping progress and transferring play, but Strange, in company with Beveridge invaded Celtic’s goal area. McKellar just missed with a nice shot close in. From a long kick by Coxhill, Mackie passed on to McGinty who initiated a hot attack on Smith’s charge and after several trials at goal Devereaux punted well clear to Richards and that player from 30 yards range sent in a rocket shot which struck the wrong side of the net. Both defences were being well tested, Mansell and Devereaux having slightly more work to do than Alborough and Coxhill chiefly owing to Celtic’s forward line combining nicely. Campbell squared a nice ball but Mansell headed clear with McGinty. in attendance. Beveridge, on Athletic’s right wing, ran into goal, a corner being forced but not improved on. Later Rae, Celtic’s ’keeper, proved his worth by two brilliant saves in quick succession from Beveridge and May, thus earning the applause of the crowd. In the next Celtic attack a penalty was awarded for an infringement against an Athletic’s defender McGinty scoring from the spot kick. Celtic 1, Athletic 0. . Athletic then attacked desperately but the resolute defence of Celtic defied Richards and company. Later Richards had a likely shot blocked by Alborough, Coxhill ultimately clearing with a long kick. Dore fastened on to the ball and passed to Scott who beat Mansell but Devereaux cleared in good style. Bunster was robbed by Scott who delivered a great shot but Smith saved confidently. Good combination was shown by both teams, some pretty movements being appreciated by the spectators. Scott and McGinty were prominent with tricky work. McKellar sustained a slight injury but resumed. Banks received-a nice pass from Campbell and tried a shot but Devereau came to the rescue and headed clear to Bunster, that player passing to Richards who tried to force his way through the opposition, a fruitless corner being forced. Keeping up the attack Athletic all but scored .4- Beveridge being dispossessed by Hurst. In the next minute Scott tried .a shot at Smith’s goal but the elevation was wrong. Twort showed up well with a nice tackle and passed on to McGinty who slipped the ball to Banks but May cleared in good style. McKellar invaded Celtic’s goal area, Richards passing out to Beveridge. The latter returned a nice ball, McKellar heading it against the bar, but Richards caught the rebound and evened the score Celtic 1,

Athletic 1. Half time arrived with the score unchanged. On resuming Celtic set the ball in motion and attacked on the left but Lownes cleared and Beveridge forced a corner for Athletic, which was sent behind. Mackie got the better of a tackle with Richards , and passed on to McGinty who tried a first timer which narrowly missed. In the next Celtic attack Dore squared a nice ball and Banks scored a good goal putting Celtic in the lead. Celtic 2, Athletic 1.

Celtic were proving superior in the forward line and only strong defending by Mansell and Devereaux saved further scoring. Richards led his men valiantly but Coxhill was a tower in defence and cleared. The game was being contested strongly each goalkeeper being severely tested. From a throw-in Campbell gained possession, passed to McGinty who eluded Bunster and sent on to Banks the latter putting Celtic further ahead by notching No. 3: Celtic 3, Athletic 1.

With a convincing lead Celtic continued to attack keenly but Mansell cleared with a good kick. Bunster passed to Richards who tried a shot but Rae saved smartly. Devereaux next had a solo run but he was tackled by Alborough who transferred play, the ball going into touch. Receiving from Hurst Dore made a good run but finished by shooting weakly. From then on Athletic tried desperately to reduce the leeway but no further scoring took place.