SOOGER.

NZ Truth, Issue 215, 7 August 1909, Page 3

SOOGER.

(By '"Crossbar.")

At the Basin. Reserve last Saturday the Wellington Football Association were called upon by the Canterbury Association to defend their title to the Brown Shield, which they just managed to do m the last few minutes of the game, which ended m 2 vgoals apiece. About 1500 spectators were present. The Wellington team was altered m two places. D. Gibson (Y.M-.0.A.) took the place ot Joe Taylor, who was suffering from injuries received m the Diamonds-Swift match; and W. Jackson (Ramblers) replaced E. ~ Bethell, who also was on the sick list. The game, was of an exceedingly interesting nature, and the clever footwork of Bissett, the Canterbury inside right, was greatly appreciated "by the spectators. Wellington should have won, there is no doubt, but for their fearful shooting m the second spell. Comparing the teams, the Canterbury forwards werfl far superior to the vanguard of Wellington, but their defence was decidedly j weak. THE GAME. Canterbury won the toss and Wellington kicked off m the face of the sun and a. strong wind.. The ball was immediately taken down m the Canterbury ter.vitory by Reddy, who passed wen to his inside man (Temperley), who m turn tested Anderson (Canterbury's goal-keep-er) with a fine shot, which was just as finely saved. Canterbury's right wing (Ward and Bisset) then got to work, and eluding Jackson, raced away, but Ward shot outside. From the resulting goalkick, a fine run was made by Smallbone, on the right wing, and for a few minutes Wellington put up a strong attack, and eventually their efforts were rewarded by Smallbone scoring a good goal. .Wellington 1, Canterbury 0. Canterbury started away again with a great rush, and their centre-forward (Dowker) made a great attempt to equalise, but Oldnall saved well and passed to Reddy, who raced away on the left wing, but his centre went begging. Canterbury then returned to the attack, and Bisset sent m a shot which just missed. Immediately .afterwards Ward scut m a "stinger," which Oldnall saved m clever style. The Canterbury forwards were now giv- J ing the Wellington defence a hot time, but their : bad shooting saved Wellington j on several occasions. At- last, nowever,' they equalised. Ward, after a clever run on the right wing, centred well to Bisset, who passed to Dowker, and he "gave Oldnall no chance with a hard shot. Wellington 1, Canterbury 1. Upon resuming, the visitors continued to make thlings merry, and Oldnall was repeatedly called upon to save. Snialfljone then got away and centred well, but W. Gibson "(centre-forward) kicked high over the bar and so lost a golden opportunity. Timperley and Reddy had a shot each, but the wind was a bit too strong against them to allow the shots to have any sting at all. For about' five minutes Canterbury tried hard to obtain the lead, but could not get one past Oldnall, and when half time was called tne scores were unaltered. With the change of ends, and the wind behind them Wellington at once attacked. Smallbone missed a good chance through not centering quickly. A bit of a scramble m front of tne Canterbury goal saw W. Gibson head one just outside the posts. For quite a time Wellington looked like scoring, and.Timperley, Scott and Rpddy all sent m shots, which Anderson either saved or they went behind. Fullerton (centre-half), however, relieved and passed out to Ward, who was left unmarked and he raced . away ' and cleverly centred, and Dowker placed Can-, terbury m, front with a nicely-headed goal, amid great applause. Canterbury 2, | Wellington 1. This reverse put Welling-' ton on their mettle, and they made great efforts to make matters even, Smallbone and Scott made a pretty run on the right, but the latter shot wide. All the Wellington forwards then had pots at goal, but bad shooting resulted m their losing several good chances. Canterbury broke away and looked like scoring again, but Cross (full-back) stopped the rush, and returned the ball to the Canterbury ' half, and the home forwards tried hard/ again with several shots, with the same result, all too wide. A free kick was given close m. and this raised the hopes of the Wellington supporters, but Hall, who . took the kick), instead o! having a shot, tried to lift the hull m tlie air to enable Gibson to liave a header, conse* ■■'. quently Anderson had no dilliculty *n cloarlng. Canterbury, then made one or two rushes, which, however, resulted m nothing. Time now could not toe far off, and the spectators were worked up to intense excitement. Their yells seemed to urge the Wellington men'on, and they attacked with much vigor, and the Canterbury goal-keeper and full-backs were called upon to save again and again. At last Wellington were rewarded, and from, a cfaver centre by Smallbone Scott shot, fcit m saving Anderson did hot clear too well, and W. Gibson pouncing on the ball sent m a shot well clear oE the goalkeeper, and equalised matters, to the great delight of the crowd, who cheered again and again. Canterbury 2, Wellington 2. From the kiclc-ofi Welbvngton had

another go, and Timperley missed a great chance through hesitating. Midfield play followed, and during the remaining few minutes both sides ilid their utmost [to win, but the whistle sounded without further score. ' To the surprise of a good many spectatorsj the f eTeree ordered extra .time to be played, hut the Secretary of the Mew Zealand Council informed him that this could not be done. According to the rules governing the Brown. Shield contests, the challengers, to -win the Shield, must defeat the holders within l»0 minutes. This Canterbury failed to do, consequently Wellington still retain the Shield, and will have to defend it against Auckland on September 4th.