THE ASSOCIATION GAME

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21807, 23 May 1934, Page 17

THE ASSOCIATION GAME

INTERESTING CONTESTS THISTLE TEAM OUTSTANDING REPRESENTATIVE PLAYERS A pleasing feature of tho Soccer matches witnessed at Blnnilford Park last Saturday was the high competitive spirit among the teams and the ruggedness of the play, characteristics which helped to produce two of the fastest and most interesting games seen so far this season. With the exception of- the display given by Thistle against Mount Albert Grammar Old Boys, the play was not of a high standard, but llto si>oed of tho exchanges in both games fully made up for this deficiency. J histle is still tho outstanding team in the competition and at the moment, with tho possible exception of Y.M.C.A., there does not appear another team capable of defeating it. The Y.M.C.A. side is playing good football, and should prove Thistle's most dangerous opponent.

The championship table bears a very interesting aspect at present, in spite of the fact that Thistle holds a threepoints lead. The remaining teams are very evenly grouped, with Y.M.C.A. and Eastern Suburbs, in second position, leading North Shore and Mount Albert Grammar Old Boys by one point. The selector to the Auckland Football Association, Mr. A. .10. Backhouse, evidently treating the Navy game at Bland ford Park on June 4 in the nature of a useful trial, has speculated to some extent in his choice for the match. However, his selection is liable to produce controversy. Cowie. of North Shore United, or Gerrard. of Thistle, would have appeared better men to fill the position of goalkeeper. Watson has been performing fairly consistently in club football for two or three seasons, but does not impress as having representative qualities. Ho is inclined to bo shaky under pressure and does not possess the powerful clearing abilities of Cowie and Gerrard. Omission of Gerrard

The fact that P. Gerrard. of North Shore, has been dropped from the hacks fins created a surprise. Gerrard is probably the outstanding fullback in the Dominion, and, although it is not anticipated that he will be omitted against Otago, the selector must have overlooked the fact that the North Shore player could well do with the practice to be gained in the Navy game. Although the Stone brothers are playing sound football at present, many would have preferred Gerrard and Hnggett as Auckland's last line of defence. Haggett is equally as sound on defence as either of the Stone brothers, and he has that extra dash which is missing in the play of the Eastern Suburbs backs. With Gerrard as his partner, Haggett would improve greatly. Good Half Line The half line is good, and will probably be the one which opposes Otago. Woods and Dunsmore, by their splendid play to date, have every claim to the position of right-wing and inside-fight respectively. There are practically no outstanding players for the position of centre-forward, and Jepson, although his form lias not developed on the scale promised last year, is probably the best. Kay, as usual, has been given the out-side-left position, and it remains to be seen how he works in with Angus at inside-left. The latter has shown to date that he is a tricky and dangerous player under dry conditions, when ho has the opportunity to exploit the advantage his speed gives him. Last Saturday, however, he was not nearly so impressive with the play of a closer and harder type. He distributes the ball well, when given the opportunity, and may prove a worthy successor to Hislop.