SOCCER

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12509, 27 July 1926, Page 11

SOCCER

A BAKER’S DOZEN There were 13 kicks-off in the Y.M.C.A.-Thistle game at the Basin, 11 for goals and one each for the start and half-time. Pretty good going for two strong teams. Thistle were all over the better team, and their dash and enterprise was as bright as anything seen this season. I * * * * They juat had Y.M.C.A. on toast, and put on a couple of goals before their opponents woke Up. When Y.M. had scored the blues invariably retorted within two or throe minutes. 9*99 Thistle’b defence was well conducted, and Ted Taylor is showing quite his old form. His anticipation was a lesson to some of the younger players by which they might well profit. It reminded one of the days when Ted Taylor and Jim Ferguson were partners. On Saturday, Taylor always seemed to be just in the right place, a tribute to his judgment, and most confounding to his opponents. Furthermore, Dempster played into his hands—or feet—in trying to force play through the centre. For the greater part of tho time Dempste* seemed to ignore the fact that ho had a partner on the right wing. 9 * 9 9 Dempster tvas too selfish. He held * lot of running about, but lacks tho team spirit, and until he realises that combination is the first essential to success his worth to the team will not he fully developed. . * * . Not only that, he does not give Worth many opportunities of showing what he can do. Almost the first time that lie combined in a passing run with his partner, Worth sent across a fine centre which led to a goal. Worth’s centres were invariably good. * . . • The Thistle forwards were in great niok and have never played better, Logan, Lothian, and Daniels being specially noticeable. Talcing Daniels’s form on Saturday it is difficult to understand why he did not perform ! better against Auckland. • * . • About half-way through the second spell Lothian fell back on the halves, Logan taking the centre forward position, and Thistle appeared, to be playing four halves and four forwards. * * • • They were so fast in their play, too, that the formation was somewhat disconcerting to tho Y.M. defence. The Thistle defence was so good that tho halves were able to give the forwards every assistance, and Prince and Roberts had a heavy task. 3 » • • McGirr was not at his best at centrehalf, and in the second spell he went forward and Ballard fell back. How would McGirr shape in the forwards? He is a good shot, and ho might be a surprise m this quarter. 9 9 9-9 Why not try him at inside right with Worth ? The trouble would bo to replace him at half. » ♦ • * Kirkland was off the roll and his place.was taken by Nimmo, who, having regard to the fact that he had not donned a jersey for ten years, performed very creditably. A real Scottie. .... The Ballard-Stark combination was not quite so effective as usual. Iff was rather novel to see Ballard play- ' ing half, hut lss speed there steadied"' up the Thistle forwards on that wing.' * * * # Pearson does not improve in the Y.M. half-way line, which is not so strong as it used to be. Neither is Ewing up to his form of a couple of seasons ago. It is surprising how often he lets the ball slip from his hands, and his judgment is not what it was. He had a nasty crash with one of the Thistle forwards, making him see stars for a minute. Incidentally the referee did not allow any time for the stoppage. . » # The Thistle goals were scored by Logan 4, Lothian 2, Daniels 1; Y.M.C.A. by Ballard, Dompster, Wilkins and McGirr. One of Thistle’s goalt was really Taylor’s, only just glancing off Lothian. * * • * SECOND DEFEAT Hospital have only suffered two defeats this season, one of them last Saturday, when Marist turned the tables on them to the tune of 4—l. Unfortunately the game was marred in the closing stages by an unpleasant incident between McKee and Kallahar, which leu to the referee, Mr G. Goffin, ordering the pair off the field. McKee is the last man one would have expetted to find in trouble of this Eort. * . * The,Hospital men evidently had an attack of nerves as the prospects of ..defeat loomed large, and in the closing stages were thoroughly dominated by the Marist team. Hospital were practically at Jull strength, Anderson playing right half vice Brown, and Dick playing outside right to Ferguson. 9 * * 9 Marist opened their account with a penalty awarded against Thompson, but in the next few minutes Marist defence was severely tested, conceding several corners, but the Hospital shooting had gone off. Oudby improve' l his goal record by a couple, and McTTlligott dicV likewise, and Hospital’s only goal was placed to Newman’s account. Newman was injured in the second spell and had to leave the field, and when Hospital lost the services of as well their chances or drawing level disappeared. 9 * * * The rights and wrongs of the incident will come out at the W.F.A. meeting to-morrow night, when the referee will make his report and statement. • • <* * WHARFIES FINISH WELL But for the high wind that was blowing the Diamonds-Waterside championship match at tile Basin Reserve might have produced some really good football. At time* both sides endeavoured to exhibit scientific, footwork, but -.he prevailing conditions were against good football. * • * • Diamonds were the aggressors during the best part of tho first half, and

if all the opportunities opened to them had been availed of the blacks might' have earned at least another couple ot“ goals, while on the other hand'Watersido missed several good openings through .weak shooting. Waterside seemed to play a far different‘gain© in the last spell. Swinging the ball about in beautiful .style, the Wharfies’ front line were not long in finding their mark and proving to their opponents that they were on the day’s play the better all-round team.

This defeat of Diamonds leaves them one© again at tho foot of the championship table, and with the few matches in hand it is more than likely the blacks will find themselves down in the B grade next season. One would not like to see this the oldest club in Wellington go down to the lower grade, but some team has to go down. 9 9*9 Albert Bolton proved himself one of the mainstays of the Waterside defence. Ron. McLeod was not at his best. He had a few good openings, but did not take full advantage of them. He, however, worked up some good _ combination with bis inside men at intervals. # Gilbertson was not too strong in lib shooting at goal. 9**9 McLolland is a youngster of much promise in the Waterside half line. Cutler, who was not available for Diamonds, was replaced by Ell in goal. Ell gave a splendid exhibition of goalkeeping. He successfully handled some very nasty shots during the game. # 9 * 9 Wcllwood was in fine trim and showed himself to be a forward of great value to Waterside. He combined nicely with McKay and his goal was a grand final effort. . 9 9 * * Most of the Diamond attack fell to the lot of Jack Bolt on the right wing. Bolt, who successfully carried out his narfc of the work, could certainly have done with a little more support from his elulmiate9. 9 9*9 Irvine was in good nick .and made many openings for the Wharfies’ front line. 9 9** Alec. Auld played hut a fair game at centre half for Diamonds. The open goal he missed at close range was very bad judgment his part. Payne, for Diamonds, showed muchimprovement of form on Saturday. He sent across some deadly centres, and his shots at goal carried a lot of sting. 9 9 9 * Cox was very safe in goal for IVharEes and time and again pulled off some brilliant saves. W. Ballard is improving week by week in the .Diamond front line, hut his shooting is still off the mark. Stocks did not show up to much advantage for Diamonds. He is ceitainly capable of much better football. It vr as unfortunate that Hearne handled the bnll in the penalty area, I for he had been playing a most rcl ; - ahle game at full-back for Diamonds, breaking up many promising Waterside attacks. * • • » Findlay was a good support to the black forwards, his close following u>>and neat forward passes being excellent, • . • .• •' Haines and Jenkins, the rcrnectiyo Waterside wings, were well in the picture during the second spell. . : I J I ,