ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 14 September 1936, Page 8

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

TOWN CUP FINAL Y.M.C.A. DEFEAT ATHLETIC AN EVEN MATCH A very even game was witnessed at Victory Square on Saturday, when Y.M.C.A: annexed the Town Cup, by defeating Athletic by 3 goals to 2. Territorially the play was very even, this being especially so in the second spell, which was featured by fast, exhilarating football with each team attacking vigorously in turn. Both teams missed several opportunities, Athletic in particular losing chances through faulty positional play and over-eagerness. The ground was in excellent condition, while a fresh northerly breeze, which strengthened towards the end of the game, blew up the field. The teams were: Y.M.C.A.: Kirby, Clarke, Smalley, Banks, Hobern, Richards, Easterbrook, J. Du Feu, O. Du Feu, A. Du Feu, Dowling. Athletic: O’Flannagan, Devereaux, May, Mansell, Bunster, McKay, Willis, Richards, McKellar, Strange, Mills. Richards kicked off for Athletic against the wind. For the first five minutes Y.M.C.A. had their opponents’ defence soundly tested, and though the red forwards were in close proximity to the goal on several occasions they could not contrive to find the net. Hobern was feeding his forwards nicely, allowing them to swarm round the Athletic goal mouth. O. Du Feu was off-side 30 yards from the goal line and the resultant penalty brought Athletic temporary relief. After being hemmed in at their own

end for some time. McKellar and Richards found a hole in the Y.M.C.A. defence and took play to the other

end. The movement looked like breaking down, but the ball was sent to Strange, who surprised the opposition with a long range shot which found the net. Athletic 1, Y.M.C.A. 0. From the kick off Y.M.C.A. gained ground with bustling tactics, but they were sent back from a penalty near the goal. Banks blocked an incipient Athletic attack when he strongly tackled McKellar. Y.M.C.A. opened their account when O. Du Feu, after a nice .combined forward movement, beat the Athletic custodian with a beautifully judged shot. Athletic 1, Y.M.C.A. 1. Shortly afterwards Y.M.C.A. were unlucky not to score again, when after some scientific play, A. Du Feu drove over the bar. From a corner kick taken by Dowling, the Y.M.C.A. forwards clustered ai-ound the Athletic goal, a likely looking shot being splendidly saved by O’Flannagan. Spectacular combined play was seen by both teams when the Du Feu brothers swept all before them and when McKellar and Richards cleverly eluded several opponents and carried play almost to their own goal, where they were pulled up by a penalty. McKellar was always dangerous and ran determinedly, whenever he gained possession. V'

Some excitement was caused when Richards and Clarke had a race for the ball in Y.M.C.A.’s territory. Richards beat his opponent for possession, though his shot went wide. Athletic kept up the pressure until half-time, Kirby being busily engaged until a goal kick relieved. . „ For the first quarter-hour of the second spell there was nothing to choose between the teams, play being very fast and ranging from one end to the other. The wind had' now strengthened considerably, though Athletic did not make the best advantage of it. Both teams were not very successful with their combined movements, though Y.M.C.A. perhaps were slightly superior in this respect. I Y.M.C.A. made a fierce onslaught on the Athletic citadel, where O’Flannagan effected a lucky save. A corner kick was conceded and beautifully placed by Dowling, but the leather was headed over the bar. Immediately afterwards Strange, McKellar and Richards went the length of the field in a devastating rush and were stopped just in time. Athletic kept up’ a sustained attack, and though things looked black for Y.M.C.A. for a while, they managed to keep their goal iptact, Kirby bringing off some She saves. Athletic however were not Vo 1 be denied,, and shortly afterwards Bunster made the scores equal when.! he headed in from a corner kick. Y.M.C.A. 2, Athletic 2. The Y.M.C.A. forwards battled their way through from the kick off where J. Du Feu slammed a hard, shot into the net. Y.M.C.A. 3, Athletic 2.--

A period of fast play followed, Y.M.C.A. being fortunate when they gave away three corners in succession, there being some narrow saves, Kirby made a spectacular clearance involving a run of 30 yards from his goal, when McKellar and Richards .were within striking distance. Hard and even play ensued till the final whistle, there being no further score, Mr J. Guy was the referee.