THE SOCCER GAME

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 11831, 17 May 1924, Page 10

THE SOCCER GAME

ELIMINATING WEAK TEAMS STYLE OF GAME THE CHINESE PREFER WILL THE CANADIANS GOME?

As was indicated in this column towards the close of last season, one of the problems, and a difficult one, which will have to be faced by the Wellington Football Association, is that of arranging the increasing number of nxturcs. Last year the Chatham Cup games wero not introduced until near the end of the season, but even those few games had the effect of considerably disturbing the -programme and making the completion of it difficult, to sav nothing of a slight encroachment upon th© cricket season, which is not desirable. When it conics to entertaining an overseas team, apart from our naval guests wlio have- not yet left the Dominion, with the addition of a full round of Chatham Cup games, it is not hard to realise that the local association may yet find themselves in a quandary. It is to be hoped this will not bo tho case, and the decisive way in which they have handled the problem so far gives reason to believe that they will just scrape through. The idea of combining the Chatham and Charity Cup games was a good one, for tho local committee had no idea that ten of the city teams would enter for the Chatham trophy, and for the moment they were sorely puzzled as to how the fixtures were to be worked off. A brief interview with officials ,of tho N.Z.F.A. soon enabled them to 6eo tho way clear, so that five of last. Saturday’s games were in competition for the two trophies, and the other three for the Charity Cup only. What might have complicated things a bit, and which might actually have been Anticipated, was one or more draws in the more important games, hut most fortunately aU of these games had decisive results, as was the case in the Charity Chip matches. As a consequence the W.F.A. can now see its way much mar© clearly than before. No definite decision has yet been reach ed in the Brown Shield, and it is possible xhat Wellington will not this year issue a challenge for this trophy. A GOOD FORECAST. If those who have been giving forecasts of the games followed the indications given in this column last week they did not- go far wrong, the surprise being tlie defeat of Seatoun by the second string of the Y M.C.A. Ail the first division clubs wore correctly named, and the only lucky ones were 'lnstitute, -who, after being hard pressed by Their opponents, Scottish wanderers, for the greater part of tne game, managed to score the only goal of the match. The men from tne Land o’ Cakes worried them in all xarts of the game, and bad Wanderms only made better use of half of the chances which came their wav ther.s would have been at least one different team in the next rounds. Watersiders. did r.oc leave then 'ame in doubt, lor t?»ey inflicted overwhelming defeat on Welgasco. There u*o one or two teams which, however, are quite out of their clats in entering for Cup competitions, and Johnsonville, for one would have been welladvised had they deferred their entry until they had had a season’s experience in the second division. Alarist oamo out of their shell in heating Thistle 4—-1, playing a much better game in the second half, showing real combination, while Thistle fell below expectations, and the score was a fair indication of their merits. They can do better; at least, they have done in .the past, but none of their games so far this season discloses any unusual talent as a team. Ewing, of course, thoroughly deserves credit for his exceptionally lino goal-keeping, and few teams succeed in getting past him four times in one match.

Diamonds were too strong for the Brooklyn side, and the first half was of a runaway character, but in the second spell Brooklyn played lip pluckily, and put on a couple of goalsto their opponents’ three, making a much more even go. South Wellington is to be congratulated upon the display which they gave against the .f.M.C.A, first division team, for at the end of tho first 45 minutes they •were on equal terms, one goal each, but in the second half tho experience of the older players told, and Campbell and Ballard, allowed more freedom, made good use of their opportunities, so that in the end Y.AI. were winning by five goals to one. TO-DAY’S GAMES. Diamonds will have a somewhat harder nut than Brooklyn to crack when they go to Porirua to-day to play Hospital in the Chatham Cup, for on their own ground Hospital usually give th© host of teams a good run for their money. Diamond® should bo strong enough to win, aaid the odds would be in their favour at Anderson Park, but at Hospital it is going to be a very even go. Th© game will be worth seeing. Mnrist and Y.M.C.A. A, at Association Park, will also bo a good trial of strength, and, Tn soine respects, Miarista are the speedier players. On th© other hand, the Y.M. have a dangerous set of forwards, a sturdy pair of backs, and a good goalie, which will go a long way to redeeming the weakness in tho half-way line. If there were three Profits in this position, all would be well, and this is where Marist are fairly strong, Thomas being a great pivot. If Y.M. win by th© odd goal in three they will be well satisfied. Institute and Swifts are also Nvcll matched, but the Institute should, if they show anything like their true form, emerge the victors. Y.M.C.A. B are a stronger team than tbev were last year, and may put up a'better fight against Water,sidera than is expected, but the wharfics should be able to find their way into th© next round to-day. It is hoped definite results will be achieved in all tho games, although in three of them a draav is quit© on the boards.

BROOKLYN CLUB. Brooklyn senior B team played them first match v. Swifts at tyakefiold Park. W. Anton is the Jong required forward Brooklyn have wished for. He scored three goals in this match, and during the game on Easter Saturday* v. US \ , PiHmorston North, was successful in notching four out of tho five goals scored by Brooklyn. His two inside men. Brown (inside right) and Prulinoro (inside lclt). have both played with Anton previously, and know bis game. A. Pridmor© was a .junior representative two years ago and travelled wuh the Wellington team to Canterbury. N. Griffiths (outside right), and C\ Dixon (goalie) wero ri tho same team. Tho other forward, H. Keeblo, is, so far, a very much lm-

proved player, and should bo of great assistance to his club this season. Th© for.vards are fast and nippy, and if they can manage a good understanding, should go a long way in the gam© and hold their own with the best. LShort (centre half) is a great tackier, but ho should get rid of the ball a little quicker. He scored two fin© goals on Saturday. Perhaps he would be better if ho watched his opposing centre-forward a little more. H* Hanson is a good man to have in a team, as he -can play anywhere, but should shoot more when in front of goal, and shoot harder. ll© has the pace, and with th© company he has at present, should prove a decided success. Tlie backs are playing well together, and should Browning he able to play shortly will prove a hard proposition before this season qs finished The goalie (Dixon) of course is wellknown. He is playing as well as ever. He should not leave his citadel as often as he does, or it will bring disaster on his team one of theso days The club has fitted out all its players with vertical striped jerseys and stocking tops to match, and it is very satisfactory to see the result. They look smart, and above all uniformity, even in football, has its recompense. THE ENGLISH CUP. It cost Newcastle United a pretty penny, £750, for putting in a second rat© team against Aston Villa in the closing stages of the first division of th© English league. Newcastle evidently considered their chances in the concluding rounds of the English cup were distinctly rosy, so were prepared to risk anj r fine the Football Association might impose rather than risk members of the cup team in a league match, especially when the league championship was beyond them. The F.A. requires clubs in the league to put the best available team into the field, for naturally, in the premier olubs the public nay to see the crack players, and if tlie era ok players are on the bank the gates suffer accordingly. Subsequent ©vents proved that Newcastle knew what they were about, but when tho closing stages draw near the public interest centres round the English cup, and the last eight teams left in the competition. In the leagues tlie kenness is at the top, where three oi lour clubs may be in the running for the championships, or at the bottom, where likewise three or four clubs may be making a -desperate struggle to avoid relegation to the division below. While the crowd at Wembley was not fo great ;s on the first memorable occasion it was huge, nevertheless, and there was plenty of room for all. Et is not likely that there will evar be a repetition of last year’s ceenes. THE CANADIANS. Tlie Canadian team, which reached Sydney ten days ago, did quite well to play a drawn game in its first match last Saturday, although the team could hardly have got rid of its sealegs. In the circumstances we may expect 1/0 hear of some good games ©n th© other side, in which the honours should not be entirely with th® noiric eleven. Meanwhile the N.Z.F.A. is seeking to com© to an amicable arrangement for the Canadian team t<*. Clay a game or two in New Zealand eforc going hack, and for the Chinese students to stage one or two games oit the other side of the Tasman on their way back to Hong Kong. FLEET AT AUCKLAND. In the meantime things have been booming in Auckland, where a crowd of 5000 turned up to see the game with the Navy team, which gave an effective exhibition of tne game enjoyed by all. Quite a useful gate, from which a proportion will come to the funds of tne N.Z.F.A. In the South Island a start does not yet appear to have been made in the Chatham Cup games," but it is worth noting that Seacliffe, last year’s Cup winners, gained a big victory of (3-2 over Southern Club in the local competition. SOCCER HISTORY SOME NEW STALWARTS A YEAR OF IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENTS. (From Mr Williams’s Book.) CHAPTER VI. It was in 1898 that J. J. Roberts mad© liis appearance in Wellington as a referee, thus commencing the good work lie has since rendered the game as treasurer and as a legislator. The same year Mr F. J. Courtney sought to make tlie Brown Shield a challenge shield without success, although this was brought into effect 11 years later. In 1899 a now secretary in Mr Malcolm Fraser, tho present Government Statistician, was appointed to th© association, with Mr F. J. Courtney as treasurer. Owing to the volume of work Harry McKeowcn was appointed assistant secretary, and it is worthy of not© that B. L. Salmon made his first apiiearance as a delegate, representing tli© third class association. This year the entries were: Seniors 5, juniors 5, third 8, and third clase 11. The respective championships were won by Rovers, Wadcstown, Petone, and Wadcstown. Diamonds won the Charity Cup, then a new' competition, and Swifts the Henderson Memorial Cup. Another competition wae start ed for Wednesday clubs but was not a success. Five and six-a-sido games were played but no rep. matches, for although there was some talk of Bonding Rovers to Auckland this did not eventuate.

Tho Referees’ Association was made a separate body at this time, and was all for the good of the game. In 1900 Harry McKeowcn was appointed secretary to th© association succeeding Mr Malcolm Fraser. Dia. znond9 won th© senior competition an i the Charity Cup. Red Cress won the junior championship and the third class, and the fourth division went to Pearls. The association had a great handicap to face in the matter at grounds, for tho railway ground was taken for extension purposes, and affected th© advance of th© game tor some years. The reciprocity rule on tho subject of suspended players came into operation this year, and although dropped in later years it was again revived and is still in operation between th© .Rugby aud Association Jodies. While on their way io Auckland to play a Brown Shield game Otago played Wellington a match at Petone, the locals winning by 4-‘J .Tim Patou and Albert Wolls road© their

fist appearance in important game# in this match A feature of the game was that Wellington played a different goalkeeper in the second spell, Burn# taking the first turn and Bernstein the second, to enable the selectors to make a decision for the Auckland game. When the Wellington team went t<v Auckland thev jost 6-1. In the following year, 1901, Harry McKcowen was re-elected secretary and F. .1. Courtney treasurer. Mr J. J. Roberts became a vice-president, and in later rears was made a life vicepresident. This season application was made to the council to play on the Basin Reserve, but the request was turned down, but in later years the request was acceded to. A handsomo banner was presented to the association this year and afterwards was used for rep. matches, but is now a trophy in the school.** competition. Regis* tration forms were introduced hr Mr J. *T. Roberts, and although a bugbear to the secretaries were a fdep in the right direction, for they gav* clubs a hold over players, ROYAL PATRONAGE. Harry McKeowen was working hard for the game, and it was no doubt by instructions from the committee that during ths visit of His Royal Highness tho Duke of Cornwall and York through the colony advantage waa taken to ar?k His Highness to accept kho position of patron of tho association. Jn the reply received His Royal Highness graciously accepted office for tho season only, so as to mark his visit to New Zealand, and further stated that it was tho only office he would accept in the colony. SOCCER AT HOME LEAGUE FINALS CLUBS PROMOTED AND RELEGATED. LEEDS AND BURY UP, CHELSEA DOWN. The final games in English Leagues were piayed on May 3rd, and definitely decided the fates of several ciubs, these which were due for promotion and those doomed to relegation. There will be many a regret that tho Pensioners (Chelsea), which have been struggling hard for the past lew years, have at last sunk below the leadline of tho first division, and are fated to spend a period in the second division, and having regard to the very fine per form am-p.s of several teams in the second dhision and the gallant fights they have made on rup-tio occasions, there Fcems little likelihood of Chelsea getting back to the first division for some years unless they produce a wonderfully improved team. Middlosborough, a well-known North of England club, accompanies Chelsea to the second division, the northerners being the wooden spocniste. It was almost- a certainty six weeks before the close of the season that these clubs were bound to be relegated. HUDDLESFIELD THE CHAMPIONS. Huddersfield, who have been verging on great things for tho last four or five years, have come out at the head of the first division table, only beating Cardiff on the goal average by a small percentage, the number of points being the same. At the beginning of Apni Sunderland had 50 points for 37 matches and Cardiff 45 for 36, so that in the remainder cf tho games Cardiff’s .'•jtar shone out, and this Fact is accentuated when it is pointed out that at the beginning of April had 48 points for 34 matches, yet in a month Cardiff were on an equal footing in tho matter of points, and only a fraction behind on the goal average. Well done, the Welshmen! Huddersfield reached tho semi-final of the English Cup in 1921 being defeated by Spurs. SECOND DIVISION CHAMPIONS. The second division champions axo Leeds and Bury, tho former being at the top of the league, and they will : have tlicir mettle tried for the first in the premier division of English football next season. Bury, after a long spell in tho second division—something over a dozen years —have at last achieved their desire, and on the merits of their performances in the last four or five years, it will be a long time before they become holders of the wooden spoon of the first division. They have figured prominently in tho English cup several times, have won it once—if not twice—and on three or four other occadons have reached the final stages. Fulham, who wero strong candidates for relegation early in April, being a couple of points behind Nelson, managed to struggle to third position, and so escaped relegation to the southern league. So Nelson and Bristol City found themselves in the southern league once more. "Bristol was a fine southern longue club, but has not done any too well amongst the second division teams. NORTH AND SOUTH. Portsmouth won the southern league and Wolverhampton Wanderers tho northern league. Pompcys have always boen very popular in the south, and their promotion to tVo second division will give a great amount t»f satisfaction. So also will the promotion of the Wanderers, who in years gone by have made a good name for themselves, and have put up some great fights in tin English Cup. Hartlepool. Barrow. Queen’s Park Rangers and Bournemouth have to seek readmission t-o the northern and southern leagues.

LONDON CLUBS’ POOR POSITIONS London clubs have not been doing any to© well in the first- division, and none of them have been above the half-way line. Spurs finished about the middle of the table. Arsenal just escaped relegation, a«s did Notts Forest, who only came up from the second division last year. The Notts men had been in the second division a few years as a result of relegation. Even in the second division the records of London (•lulus were not tor good. Clapton Orient being in a bettei position than Crystal Palace or Fulham. It will already have been noted that a London club in each division goes down. Ain oh the same remarks apply to the southern league, and only ono club from th© great metropolis occunies a more worthy position than half-way in its league table. This i c Millwall. who onlr just misled heating Pompcys in tho third division. Arson a and NottsS Forest will have to look tc their laurels if they are to escape relegation next year, while Derby Countv should he strong enough to regain thor old position in the first division once more. They were only just- behind Bury this year.