SOCCER GAME

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24049, 21 August 1941, Page 4

SOCCER GAME

MATCH AGAINST AKMY BLANDFORD PARK FIXTURE STRENGTH OF THE TEAMS Arrangements in connection with the representative match between tho Auckland and Army teams at Blandford Park next Saturday were finalised at last night's meeting of the control board of tho Auckland Football Association. The chairman, Mr. F. 11. Baker, reported that the Army side would be a strong 0110 and would include several representative players. Mr. F. G. Fullbrook, sole selector to the Auckland Association, said that tho Auckland side, while missing several of the players, who will be playing l'or Army, was a strong combination. Tho game would provide him with a good opportunity in his search for talent in the side to play Wellington at Blandford l'ark 011 September (5 for the Frank Campbell Rose Bowl. Matters in connection with tho Rose Bowl game were also discussed and a sub-committee was set up to deal with the matter. In connection with this match it was stated that Hatchard, the Wellington captain, who is now in camp in Auckland, would be eligible to play for Wellington. The New Zealand Council notified that discussion on the appointment of a primary schools' delegate 011 the council would, take place at the annual primary schools' tourney of the southern portion of the North Island at New Plymouth during the school holidays. It was pointed out that, if a delegate is appointed at this conference, it would not be representative of the North Island, as the northern section, which is played in Auckland, will not be represented at such conference. It was agreed that this would not bo fair and it was decided to leave the matter with the manager of the primary schools' team which travels to Wellington next week to make representations to those concerned. It was reported that the final of the North Island secondary schools' tournament for the Skerret Cup would be played 011 Saturday at Blandford Park. As tho southern team concerned will have to leave by the afternoon express it was decided to commence the game at 1.30, enabling it to finish at 2.30. In the interval before tho first division championship match at 3 p.m. it was resolved to stage a match between two midget teams. The fine state of the playing surface and the surroundings at Blandford Park formed the subject of a letter of congratulation from a player of a decade ago, who drew a comparison between the difficult, muddy conditions of his day and the present dry state of the ground, in spite ol' heavy rains. The question of bicycles being in close proximity to the side and back lines when games were in progress on outside grounds was unfavourably commented 011, the chairman and several members pointing out the danger which such action constituted to players. It was agreed to ask club officials at tho various grounds to assist in removing such danger. The playing of the representative game between Army and Auckland at Blandford Park on Saturday has necessitated (he giving of byes to four of the first division teams. However, threo championship matches will also be played and tho fixtures are as follows: Representative match: Auckland v. Army, Blandford Park, It p.m., Mr. V. Olney. Championship games: Thistle v. Abels, Blandford Park, 1.30 p.m., Mr. J. C. Sibbiri; Ponsonby v. Eastern Suburbs, St. ITeliers Bay, 3 p.m., Mr. F. Green; Metro-College v. Onehunga, Domain No. 3. 3 p.m., Mr. R. C. Brighton. North Shore, Comrades, Air Forco and Mount Albert Grammar Old Boys, byes.