ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19202, 19 June 1924, Page 4

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

By Corner Kick.

Only on rare occasions have followers of (he game an opportunity of witnessing the Seaclift team at play, and their meeting with Taieri at Culling Park on Saturday was no doubt tho reasrtn for the increased attendance. There can he no doubt, that if the Soacliff Club could be prevailed upon to play other matches in town, preferably against teams that are higher up on (hr table, it would bo a big draw and of great benefit to tho code. Unfortunately, owing to 'lmri being .short of players, the match was 25 minutes late in starting —a position which does not redound with any credit to the game, and those in control should see to it; that any future fixture of the kind is commenced at the advertised lime. Taieri eventually took the field minus the services of M'Cloy and Walker, and were fortunate in obtaining the services of Harry Aspinall, one time of Maori Hill, and who has represented Otago and Canterbury in his day. Harry was a member of the Canterbury team which out-played on Otago eleven in all departments of the game on Carisbrook in 1921, when the sister province won by two goals to one. The game itself was not an exceptionally bright one, the greasy state of the ground making it hard for players to control the ball, and good footwork was out of the question. Tho outstanding feature of the play was the exceptionally fine exhibition of D. Hanlin, Taiori’s custodian. Besides making a splendid save from 'an undeserved penalty kick awarded against his team, he fielded tho slippery ball in great style. His judgment in coming out was remarkably sure, although on one occasion ho was rather lucky when Simmons kicked the ball against him. The two goals with which be was beaten were unsaleable Although their team were disorganised, Taieri played with great dash right up to the finish, which was sufficient to put Seacliff off their usual game. In the field they were well served by Wallace, De.y. and Aspinall, who maintained a steady hold on the Soacliff forwards. In the front line MT,can was tho most prominent, whilst M’Caw and Jeffrey also nut in some good work. Scacliff were without the services of Murray, and their play suffered from the want of this clever player's ability of placing to his forwards and sizing up the opportunities. '1 ho right wing pair, Simmons and M'Dougall, played well together, and the former had considerably more to do, as he had frequently to drop back to get the ball. Hanlin, on the left, also gave a good display, sending ia several good shots at goal, but his brother was giving nothing away. Hooper took advantage of the referee, and played rather close to the offside, and was lucky to get away with it as often as he did. He was up against a hard man in Aspinall at centre half, who played with great judgment throughout. The brunt of Taieri’s attacks were borne by the Anderson brothers, whose tackling and kicking v< ere very sure. Rivers had only two likely shots to contend with, and, although lucky with the one which M'Lean kicked against him, he showed good judgment in coming out to clear a well-placed centre from Jeffrey. Quite a largo attendance witnessed the encounter between Northern and Maori Hill at the Clear, who played a drawn game of two goals each. Considering the state of the ground, it was quite a good gam o. and especially so in the last 20 minutes, when play liecame very exciting, both doing their utmost to notch the necessary .goal for a win. On the run of the play, the game was value for a draw, neither side having the superiority of tho other. On the Hill side there was an entire absence of shooting powers on the part of their inside men. The forwards were clever on hall control, but rarely seemed to think that scoring at all mattered, Walker in particular missing several opportunities of shooting. Balk played outside right for a time, and got little to do until changing over to his usual position at centre forward. Both Anderson and M‘Cormack were prominent in Hill’s attack, whilst M'Farlano, who turned out at centre half, played a good game. Morris, at centre forward, was off colour through indisposition. Fraser was the best back of the day, and both he and M‘Donald did good work, especially so in the second spell. Kennedy, who deputised for Currie in goal, played a very useful game. Braham, in goal for Northern, was very safe, and Contes was the better of the two backs, M'Pherson’s, play being patchy at times. Of the halves, J. Dryden was outstanding, and there is no doubt but that this player has struck form. Doig also played a good, serviceable game. Cherry, in the front lino, was the best of the five, witli Morrison not far behind. The encounter between Mornington and Kaitangata, played on the former’s ground, did not provide a bright exhibition. Neither side was at full strength, M'Auley and Rarity being absentees from the minors, and Dickel played centre forward, vice Watt, who received an injury tho previous week. Mornington could ill-afford the loss of the two points sustained bv their defeat, but from all accounts it was an unlucky day for the club. I am informed that two goals scored hy them wore quite legitimate, and as far as one is concerned the Kailangata players admit a goal had been registered. Kaitangata’s goal came direct from a corner kick, and that when Scott, the Mornington goalie, gathered in the ball, he was over tho line. Prescott and Munsie, in the forwards, and Smith and Howie, in the halves, were tho mainstay of Kaitangata, whose team now includes several younger players. Mornington’s forwards were decidedly off colour. Dickel was not a success as a centre forward. Lowden and the two Johnsons, in the half-back line, played well, whilst D. Scott, at back, was seen at his best so far this season. Scott, in goal, played his usual safe game. Old Boys’ defeated Southern by the odd goal in three, and might be considered very fortunate in securing both the cur points, for on tho day’s play, if any advantage was hold, the South end team held it, although the score does not make that indication. The Old Boys got going early, and in the first 10 minutes had netted the ball twice, tho Southern goalie making a feeble attempt to stop Frasm > shot. The Red-aud-Blacks settled down and took command for the remainder of the spell. Their shooting, however, lacked precision, and Caskie. on top of form, saved his side repeatedly. Both sides reorganised in the second spell, the Old Boys’ strengthening their defence, and the Reds included Donaldson as centre forward. Tho latter change soon boro fruit, Donaldson and Thomson taking the ball past the halves and backs, the former reducing the lead. Fven play for a long while, and with 10 minutes to go Southern set up a scries of hot attacks, but Old Boys, playing three full backs, kept the citadel intact. Considering the greasy state of the ground the game was a remarkably good one, and the pace set throughout was a cracker, both teams being young unci fit. Trethevan made his first appearance this season for the Southerners, and, after a shaky start, played a line game, only being excelled hy Gould in the opposing line. Southern felt the loss of M’Evoy and Driscoll. Balchin was easily the best half afield, and, like good wine, improves with maturity. The Red forwards battled hard, but the left wing pair, M'Allan and Jones, could not harmonise. Old Boys were exceedingly well served by Caskie (goal), Kennedy, and Gould, and their front line moved well, without outstanding brilliance. Kennedy (Old Boys) and Hill (Southern) made their final appearance, both being on the transfer list, and the game and the clubs respectively will be poorer by the loss of two such prominent players, The game was - a clean one, and Referee Bob Brown’s task was an easy one. The popularity of the game in Auckland was further emphasised when, on Juno 3 (King’s Birthday), a. club fixture between the. leading two (earns in tho northern city. Ponsenby and Harbour Board, drew an attendance (despite counter attractions) of goto The-.- were rewarded with a thrilling exposition of the code, Harbour Board eventually winning what could easily be termed a “losing” game by 4 goals to 3. Pc.nsonby held the upper hand in (he matter of goals practically thoughout the, netire game, and at one slag? led bv 5 goals to 1 Nothing daunted however. Harbour Board kent bard at it. and were eventually awarded with victory iust C'i time. The pace maintained during the game is desonbod as being “terrific.” and probably never before has such enthusiasm been witnessed among (be onlookers of an ordinary club match

SECOND- GBADE TABLE. The following table shows the position of the teams in the Second Grade at the end of the first round, which was concluded last Saturday rino 1 u ir r»

Taicri defaulted last three matches and withdrew from end of round.

P. W. L. fio n. for. nls upst. Cup Pr*. 01(1 nova . G G — — 2ft G 12 Y.M’.O.A. ... .. . G 5 1 — 15 <) 10 TVohniiMl Old Ik.ys . fi 4 O — 15 o 8 Southern . G — 20 10 G Northern . G 2 4 — n 15 4 Moori Hill . G 1 5 ~ ,< 24 2 T;iiori . 6 G — 3 14 —