REPRESENTATIVE SOCCER

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11224, 1 June 1922, Page 8

REPRESENTATIVE SOCCER

AUSTRALIA DEFEAT NELSON. VISITORS' COMBINATION. IMPROVES. FEB PRESS ASSOCIATION. NELSON, May 31. The day was dull hut line for the Australian Association football match. It was witnessed by about two thousand spectators. Nelson won the toss and elected to play down the field. From the kick off the Australians pressed, and soon had a corner against Nelson. But Nelson's goalie saved. The Australians pressod again, but the effective work of Nelson’s backs relieved. Nelson made a great rush, initiated by Davies, but the visitors backs were too good. Nelson’s forwards again pressed, and a shot was well saved. The "Aussies” had the best of the play, and were playing a good combined heady game, and a penalty, given against the home team, saw the "Aussies” find the net. Nelson made a great combined rush, and Davies’s deliberations lost a good chance to score. Nelson now lagged, and play went to the home area. A clever hot shot by Ward beat Nelson’s .custodian just on the call of half-time, the score being 2 goals to nil. THE SECOND HALF. Nelson liveiled up again at tbe com mencement of the second half of the game, and play was in midfield for some time, with botjj sides playing sonnd and careful football. Nelson pressed, and Australia gave away a penalty by McBride. from which Wheeler found the net with a good ground shot off Cumberford. Australia. “ Nelson i, 1 The "Aussies” took the offensive after thisj play livened round the home goal. Ward shot, and the local goalie lost possession, and Brown 'hooked into the net. Australia, with good head work, again added to their score, Ward finding the net. Play was in midfield for a time, each of the teams subsequently taking the offensive. The local backs saved well, Gibb gave a penalty, and Wheeler found the net. Australia * Nelson 2 VISITORS SUPERIOR,. The "Aussies” wanned to their efforts, showed good combination, and 'had all the best of the play. Nelson tried a shot from a corner, hut J. Cumberford touched the ball and sent it over tbe net. Nelson spurted, and by a combined rush carried play to the visitors’ area, where their backs relieved and the "Aussies” forwards got in motion, but off-side by Dane lost a good chance. Excellent head work by the "Aussies” saw Brown get the net with a hot shot. The visitors kept up the pressure. Hurst (local back) handled in his own area, hut the kick was saved. Doyle shortly after landed a good shot, which beat the goalkeeper all the wav. and Ward immediately drove in another which baffled the keeper. i On tbe call of time the score was:— Australians 8 Nelson 3 FEATURE OF VISIT HOSPITALITY or NELSON lANS (By Telegraph.—Special to “Timefl *') NELSON, May 31. T»v rlefeatinpr Nelson by 8 goals to 2 tU-o Australian*; ehmved some o£ the form

they are capable of. At the outset the team did) not get going toe well, but in the second half of the game there were many dashes of brilliance, clever footwork, and deadly shooting * The Nelsoniane put up a sterling oe* fence on occasions, their backs, Scho* field and Huxst, giving a hue display. The local -players have a* clever hall line in Jackson, Wheeler, and Beveridge, but the forwards were too slow to take advantage of running with the ball to an opponent before kicking. With more games Nelson would be a formidable team. McKellar, in goal, deserves a special word of praise for some very excellent Bratten. and Maunder stood down from the visitors team, . and their places were taken by Bryant (goal), Mcßride (left back), W. Dane (outside right), and W. Ward (inside right). The ground was in excellent condition, and there was no wind. The weather was fine, but ©hilly. It is estimated that the attendance was 2000, despite the fact that it was not a holiday. A feature of tbe visit was the unbounded hospitality of the Neleon people, who proved themselves a good sporting public, and they were most impartial. At times the bright, sparkling play of the visitors drew rounds of applause.