ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19256, 21 August 1924, Page 4

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

By Corner Kick. CHINESE MATCHES. September 3, v. Otago. September 6, v. New Zealand (third test). The principal event last Saturday in the Association game throughout the dominion was the first Test match between New Zealand and China, at Auckland. Allowing for the display the Chinese put up in the match against, Auckland the previous week, it was the general opinion that New Zealanders would have matters much their own way. but as the result turned out the homo side only managed to win by the small margin of two golds to one. The report as telegraphed indicates that the Chinese are a greatly improved team, being more clover at footwork and showing belter combination than our own men, which is good nows in view of the Third Test to be. played boro early next month. There have been several changes in the New Zealand team announced for the Second Test to be played at Wellington on Saturday, but whether or not (his is on account, of the form shown by some of the players in the First Tost has not been stated. Club matches, as far as the Senior Cup competition is concerned, finished with the SeacTiff-Northern game, last week. Next Saturday a trial match will be played at Culling Park, in edimection with the selection of the team, to represent Otago against the Chinese, on September 3. On August 30, it is probably that Reacliff (premiers; and Old Roys (runners-up) will play oft for the. Charity Cup presented to the association by local Chinese residents, and there is no doubt that such a game woidd prove a groat draw, Reacliff, with a lead of 6 points from Old Roys (runners-up) hold the premiership for this season. They are to be congratulated on the fine position attained, which has been due to the consistent form shown throughout the competition. Since their entry info the association they have gradually moulded the team into a very solid combination, and a good deal of the success of the club is due to Dr M‘Kjllop, who is a keen sport and one who has taken a very active interest, in the “Soccer” game. Reacliff have this year been the means of creating extending interest in the round ball code, as evidenced in the recent Chatham Cup semi-final with Sunnyside. The only bone of contention iff the fact that the greater majority of their matches have been played at iSencliff, and the public have bad little opportunity of witnessing Scacliff play in town. It is hoped, therefore, that before next season approaches Ren cliff will have evolved a way out of the difficulty, and that we shall see them playing on 'he local crrounds every alternate week. I am confident that if this was to be arranged the support accorded the game by the public would steadily increase.

As the following record shows they have mack- rapid advancement amongst the local clubs:—

.# Season, 1922.—First year of entry, finished seventh on the table out of 10 teams. Won Knock-out Competition. Season. 1923.—Played off with High School Old Boys in the final for the Cup, be-in;/ defeated by 1 goal to nil. Were in the final* with Momington for the Knock-out Competition but, owing to Chatham Cup final falling on the same day, were unable to play. Won the Chatham Cup, defeating Y.M.C.A. (Wellington) in the final at Wellington, being the first holders of the trophy. Season, 1924.—Winner!;; of the premiership. Are competing fcjf the Chatham Cup, which has yet to be pHyod for. Knockout competition not being held this year. The Soacliff-Northern fixture at Culling Park on Saturday drew a fair crowd. The game, however, was not up to the display seen in the recent Chatham Cup semi-final, and Seacliff deserved their win by 4 goals to 1 {a penalty kick) on their merits. Northern on the whole gave a disappointing display, weaknesses being apparent in the forwards and half backs. Ruddiman was outstanding in the front lino for his craftiness in opening up forward movements, but his colleagues were not equal to carrying through the attacks against the, solid defence of Seacliff’s back division. Cherry, at inside right, was another player who battled bard throughout, but Duncan, on the left, wing, gave him little support. O’Brien and W. Dryden behkeen them missed three fine chances in the first spell, and had these resulted in scores the result might have been different. On one occasion W. Dryden neatlv tricked the redoubtable Andersen at, full back, but ebsolutdlv 'threw away tho opportunity by passing into the centre.

The half-back line failed to back up (he forwards right throughout tho game, and (heir placing was badly directed. J. Dryden did not play up to anything* like the form he has shown this season, and found Hooper more than he could contend with. Jones was the best of the line, placing a good spoiling game against Scacliff’s left wing.

Coates, at right full-back, played a really good game, kicking and tacklino- in rare style.

Braham, in goal, did not relish the work he was given to do, and his iudgmenc was faulty at times. One of Hooper’s goals could have been cleared had he come out to meet the centre.

Seacliff fielded what they called n weak team, but on the play they proved themselves every_ bit as good as the original. Murray filled J. Anderson’s position at full-back, and dropped into the back nlav with ease, being little, if anything, behind hie colleague, G. Anderson.

The half-back line was a, big factor in the success of the forwards. They placed the ball with good judgment, and followed np the attacks nicely.' Rogers, at left half, is developing into a good style of player.

’the whole of the forward line gave a good display, Simmons and’Hanlin being the pick

Simmons is a hard man to beat with the ball, and is an old hand at making openings. _ His last goal of the match was of tno kind that seldom seen in local primes Getting a high pass from Hooper, he essayed a first-timer, and tho ball shot into 'the net with lightning speed. Haul in. on the left wing, put in a lot of clever wing play, and his centring Was always rolaiblo. In his partner, Baillie Seacliff appear to have solved their problem ox the inside left position, as. although Baillie was palpably not fit, he shaped with distinction.

Hooper proved a knotty problem for the opposing defence and made good use of Ins speed. _ He had .several shots at goal, the majority of which were placed over, buf tho two ccoals ho got were nicolv «JCorod Baxter, who filled tho outside right position in place of M’Dcngall is a clever player who has had few games this season the itile he had to do was done we'd Imt most of Seadiff’s May went toward* the left.

Rivers proved verv safe in coal, giving onp of !ii s host displays this season, rn ,i rlst ’ y i ' e,,il, K representatives in the Lhntharn Cup. will leave for Auckland op Aneiist 28 and pl„v Harbour Board of this take part in the final, to be pJayorl at \\ Mhnprton apramst tin? Island champions, which will either ho Senel'ft (present holders) or Sunnyside, who have yet to replay. The arrangements foIho replay were relegated to the Chatham (mp Committee to decide, about, a fori nifrht ago, but up to ihe present their deccsion nn<; not hr-on nnnouncorl. Competition* in three of the grades linvo been closed. leaving: the Fourth and Fifth to he completed. The winners of the Second tirade are Hi eh School Old Bovs, who have a trood record. The Third (trade .winners Mnmington. have g one through the co m .' petition without a defeat, although thev plavcd three drawn games. ” 'flio following table gives the positions o r ih e teams at the close of the Third Grade:

'Flip one important change in (ho of the frame of Association football passed bv the International Board at, (.heir meet inpr in London on June 14 is that a goa> may ho snored from a corner kick direct from the flag. Referring to (his, a Glasgow correspondent writes: “It came as a surprise to Scotland that the International Board should have adopted the Scott i-b Football Association’s proposal to legalise the scoring of a goal direct from a corner kick. The surprise, however, was not on account of the lack of merit, in (he proposal, but merely because it was understood a majority cf the nations represented on the board took an unfavourable view of the idea.’’ The International Board also has arrived at a decision in reference to Law XIII that is important to both players and

referees. This decision will read in the new ride books; “If in the opinion of the referee a* player has been seriously injured the game shall bo stopped, the player at once removed from tho field of play, and the game resumed. If a player is slightly injured the game shall not lie stopped until the ball has ceased to be in play.” It; is stated that an understanding has been arrived at by the International Board that next year the Scottish offside rule proposed will bo adopted with some adjustment. Tho conviction is held that there has crept into the game a tendency on the part cf defences to introduce unfair, even mean, tactics to foil opposing forwards. Racks have had matters all their own way until now. If they aro put on more level terms with the forwards by an adjustment of tho offside rule (writes a contemporary) wo shall see matches played with more even continuity and less provocation to the spectators to a display of irritation. Two proposals aro under consideration, as follows;

1. That an attacker shall be offsido unless there are two (instead of three, as at present) defenders between him and the goal when the ball was last played 2. That an attacker can only become offside when he is within 40 vards from tho goal which he is attacking, instead of from halfway, as at present.

Tho latter proposal was brought forward in 1923. but, was rejected. At that time a writer in the Athletic News commented on tho proposal as follows, which was the stand taken up by many English authorities :

A playing area can vary in length from 130 yards to 100 yards and for cup ties from 110 io 120 yards. There *is no standard size in either length or breadth, in order _to give latitude to clubs for tho provision of grounds. Clearly an attacking forward is to have as area of 90 yards, or 69 yards in which to work his designs before lie can possibly bo put out of play, or be put out of action by a dodge. Lot ns take an average of 110 yards in length. For half that distance, 55 yards, a plaver is not at the merer of a scheming lack at present, but (he new rule will give an additional 15 yards to tho attacker before offside can operate. Tf this change become law— a,« it only can bv the unanimous vote of the international Board in June—the halfwav line can be abolished, but two lines will have to Ire drawn 49 yards from each goal. No o - m can be offside until he is within that 40 yards parallelogram. The middle 30 yards of (he field will not be so very important, as it seems (hat. the attackers will hover round about tho 40 vards line and tho backs will stay at home to defeat them.

What style will this produce? It suggest? a cramped game with the olavers in a compnral ively small vital arena. Will halfbacks and backs follow up their forwards? Will they Ire able to do so?

We fail to see tint this proposal is calculated to improve football, or make it more interesting. Spaciousness increases the difficulty, and therefore the art of the attacking forward. But it would appear lint legislators are inclined to help "thon who either have no brains or will not no the wits t.hev have. The change will do that, and reduce the rofrece’s liability (o error.

Mornin.cton w. Tt. n. Goals Gnp For. Air-G T’i 14 11 — 3 40 10 23 7'osf. ;m 1 T'spli. 14 0 1 4 30 0 22 narf-RprKHirp.o ... 11 7 n 1 33 27 1 Torh. Old Boys M r, r, 4 24 23 1 } OM 75ovs 15 11 4 7 3 m 12 11 ] 1 OM Bovs A ... 11 ■i 7 3 20 Maori Hill M 3 10 1 n 2tl 7 Norl horn H 2 D 3 22 3.) 7