ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19250, 14 August 1924, Page 4

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

By Corner Kick. Local suporters will have a further opportunity next Saturday of seeing the Seacliff team in action, when they meet Northern in the match which was recently postponed, iho game, which will be played at Culling Park, starting at 3 p.m., should provide a very good display. In the previous meeting between the two teams at Seacliff the result was a drawn game, and Northern are very keen oil this occasion t > have the honour of inflicting a defeat oil this year’s premiers. Club games, which wore ppstponed tho previous week on account of the Chatham Cup match, Seacliff v. Sunnyside, were resumed on Saturday, but thero was little interest displayed, only two of the four games in the First Grade being played. Unfortunately. the best game of the two. Seacliff v. Old Boys, premiers and runnersup respectively, was an out-of-town match through Seacliff being unable to conic to Dunedin.

The game provided one of the keenest matches witnessed on the Hospital ground this season, and ended in a draw, each side scoring three goals. Old Boys now share tho honour along with Northern of being the only teams to deprive tho cup winners of a point each in this year’s competition. Seacliff fielded a different team to that which played in Dunedin the previous week. Hardin filled the position of Bums at inside left, and M’Konzio. who played last season, acted ns left winger. Baxter played at right half in place of Roger, who was iniured in the match against Sunnyside. The only change in Old Boys’ team was the inclusion of M‘Mullan, who played in his old position of inside right. From various reports Old Boys were unlucky in not registering a win, and with the scores three all during the last 15 minutes, although without the services of Fraser, who received an injury to his knee in a collision with one of the Anderson brothers, they seriously threatened SeaeUff’s position. The visitors look some line to settle down to steady play, whilst tie Hospital learn wore early in their stride, and showed more method in attack. Old Bovs’ back division lacked direction in their placing of the ball, which gave the forwards lessened opportunities. Play on tho whole, however, was fairly even, and ns tho scoring indicates, keenly contested Hooper, who secured Seacliff’s three goals, opened the scoring with one of his lightning flashes of play, and had his shot well on the way to goal before Imrir (Old Boys’ back) made any attempt l<* frustrate him. Caskie, in goal, had no chance with the fast-driven shot which travelled about a foot high off the ground. Simmons was tho brainy man of the forward line, showing a groat versatility m initialing various forward movements. His partner, M'Dougall, however, was not so prominent, tho solid play of Gould, the opposing half, kept his play restricted to a great extent. . Their half-backs, Murray, Waugh, and Baxter, kept a good hold on the May. and wore mainly responsible in checking the opposing forwards. Both the Anderson brothers were not up to their usual game, their kicking being very uncertain at tunes. Rivers, in goal, as a consequence, was verv often troubled, and did not shape with any degree of confidence. He made a lucky save on one occasion. I'roin a partial clearance M'Mullan returned, but Rivers touched the ball as he was lying on tho ground and deflected it outside. At tho interval Old Boys were two goals down, but thev gave a dashing display »» the second half, and adopting the short passing game. Douglas I'rnser. and Duncan soon overwhelmed the defence ana evened up the scores. Duncan, in s (’ o1 ’ n ‘S the second goal, cleverly outwitted the Anderson brothers and gave Rivers no chance to clear. . .. Lattimer and M'Mullan’s play cm the right suffered through lack Oi. understanding, the former failing to anticipate a return pass from his inside mau. M his best display so far this season, and near the finish had bad luck in nussi i, the goal with a hot shot which struck the 1 p’layed his usual steady game at centre half, but had more than his hands full in holding the speedy Hooner, who showed good form -Gould atul Bardsley the other halves, also played well. Of the backs, Imrie was the more sure and dependable, his partner (Allan) being off his usual game. . , Caskie, their goalkeeper, was in great form, and his punching was quite a feature of his clearances. It was the best display given bv this player so far thus season. Tho old rivals. Northern and Southern, met at tho Gardens Ground, the former winning by the odd goal in five, and thus avenged their defeat of two goals to one which Southern inflicted on them in the first round. ... , Neither team infused their play with any keenness, consequently' the foothaU displayed was, on the whole, poor. Through a late start, only 35 minute spells were played -and Southern fielded 10 men throughout. On tho rim of the play, Northern deserved their win and their goalkeeper (Braham) did not have a busy da fiie Rcd-and-blaoks adjusted their team by playing Hudson at left half, in which position ho put up a good defensive game. Trevatban once again took up a lone hand at back, and again proved his ability to play the one back game. His discerning judgment was disconcerting to O’Brien and Duncan, of the opposing forwards who were freouently pulled up for ouside. M’Evov along with Hudson, shared tho honours’in the half-back line. Of the forwards, Jones, Hill, and Thompson wore tho best the former on several occasions being prominent in fine speedy wing plav. Ho is getting back into something like his old form. The Black-and-whiles, although they were better on the tlav than Southern, did not eive a convincing display. They will havo”to show better form if they wish to defeat tho premiers next Saturday, the second re-arrangement of their forward line with Ruddiman in the centre and \3 . Dry den and O’Brien on the left, and Morrison and Duncan on the right, was the means of improving their attack, especially bv the right wing pair. It was due to the good work of the latter, which gave Ruddiman an opportunity to cleverly elude both Trevathan and Balchin and score the winning goal. , , The half-backs were good on defence, lint lacked judgment in placing to their forwards. Jones was the best of the line, showing a vim and dash in his play which was refreshing. MThcrson, at back, was very solid, and was without doubt the best on the day. ~ , Duncan and Ruddiman were the most prominent of the front line, being mainly responsible for the play which resulted in goals W. Drevdcn. on the left wing, showed a weakness in his centres, and. although he was tried at centre forward for a time, he did not show up to advanta?A Soccer game which has been arranged for the “ Clear ” on Saturday is causing a good deal of excitement in tho Maori Hill district. Teams representing the officials of the Maori Hill Football Club and members of the Balmacewen Bowling Club will meet in a friendly game, starling at 3 p.m.. Included in the “ bowlers ” team are some well-known ex-Soecor players in tho personnel of Messrs Rigby Wright, Sharp, Buchan, Collier, and tho Adamson brothers, and quite- a keen game is expected. Refreshments will be provided during the afternoon, and the chibs extend a hearty invitation to residents to bo prosent. Rov Bachop* who left last year on a trip to the Old Country, returned to Dunedin this week. Bachop was a member of (Maori Hill’s First Grade team last year, when he clayed between the sticks. Since the announcement from Wellington that another overseas Association football ccrrnlvnation is >ikcly to visit New Zealand in 1925, at the same time as the English team’s visit, speculation has been rife as to what country iho players will bo from. Tbe probability of a team of Association footballers from South Africa touring Australasia next year bn? been hinted at in Ilome papers, and it is reasonable -to suppose that this 'S tho visit referred to bv Mr Salmon. If so. the 1925 season will mark a great epoch in the history of New Zealand Soccer.

UIIINESK TOUR. In less than a month from now wo shall have the Chinese Universities’ team with us, ami local arrangements arc well in hand for the matches against Otago on September 3- amt the third test on September 6- Although the Chinese have won onlv two cut of the eight matches plavocl sr> far, reports horn the North Island indicate that they play a very attractive game, free from any roughness or ungontlornanly methods. The attendance at the various matches have been phenomenal and reached a climax at Auckland

last Saturday when 28.0C0 paid for admission. The team is proving vory popular with the spotting public, who have not been slow in showing their appreciation of (he team’s clever footwork. The example they have set on the field should do a great deal to enhance the popularity of ‘'Soccer” as a game of science and skill, as opposed to the rough-and-tumble methods witnessed in many of our games. Certainly a little more dash could, with safety, bo introduced into their play, and, under the able coaching of Mr Colin Reid, a big improvement should be noticeable by the time they play in Dunedin. Their next match, at Rotorua, is mostly in the nature of a vacation and to give the visitors a.n opportunity of seeing the thermal wonders. On Saturday they play their first lest against Mow Zealand at Auckland, and on the following Wednesday play Hamilton. They leave the same day for Wellington, where they are due for the second test, which takes place on August 23. The tour of the South Island at Timaru commences on August 27. The local Chinese residents are showing much enthusiasm in the visit of their compatriots. They have subscribed a liberal sum towards the entertainment of the team, and, in addition, have presented two valuable cups, one to tbe local association and the other to the Chinese team to take bacK to China with them for competition. The cup presented to the association will set apart for the “charity match.” for which the winners and runners-up in the competitions play off. If time permits it is the intention of’ the association to have the cup competed for this season. The team chosen by the sole selector (.Mr 15. L. Salmon) to represent New' Zealand iu the first test, to be played at Auckland on Saturday, is a strong one in every department of tho game. Local supporters of J. Dry den and Murray no doubt, wore disappointed at the omission of these players as it, was considered both were vyorthy of consideration on their this season. Otago has one representative in J. Anderson, who has played brilliantly for Seaclitt this year, and he and M'Girr (Wellington) will be partnered at full back. Accbrdbig to Wellington papers has been playing exceptionally well. Canterbury has one representative in M'Creanor, who is regarded as more of the solid rather than of the brilliant type oi playep Corbett (Auckland), whose game against tho Australians two® years ago will bo remembered by local enthusiasts, is playing as well as evey, and will again act in the position of centre-half. The other half back will be Neesham, also from Auckland. This player has not played in Dunedin, but Northern reports states that ho has been showing good form in club games. Little objection can be taken to the forward lino. All have represented New Zealand with distinction previously, and they should prove a solid quintet. Cook, the only Southland representative, is a player of quality, whilst Campbell (who has been appointed captain) and Ballard (Wellington) and Tunes and Dacre (Auckland) are in the top flight of Now Zealand forwards, and should have a good understanding of each other’s play, having toured Australia together last year. Oraxtou, of Auckland, has been chosen for the position of goalkeeper for the first test, and he has always given a brilliant display on tho several occasions ho has represented New Zealand Ewing, the Wellington goalkeeper, who will probably fill the position in tho second test, was a likely aspirant for tho position. Ho has, according to Wellington papers, been keeping goal brilliantly throughout the season. Auckland, with five players, have the greatest number in the team, and are closely followed by Wellington with three players.