ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19551, 6 August 1925, Page 4

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

By Corner Kick.

The principal game of interest next Saturday will be the meeting 'between. Seacliil and High. School Old Boys in the A Division, when a drawn game will bo sufficient to give the Soacliffi team the premiership. The previous meeting between the clubs ended in a draw —3 goals each—and provided l a thrilling contest, the like of which had never before been witnessed at Sencliff. High School are determined to go one better on Saturday, as a win will give them a further chance for the premiership. According to all reports, Otago were a trifle lucky at Invercargill to retain the Peter Dawson Oup. which they have held since 1922. No challenges were played in 1924, and Saturday’s game was the third occasion on which Southland have challenged. Each year they have gradually reduced the difference in the scores —i.e . in 1922 they lost by 3—o, in 1923 2 —o, and this year the game ended in a draw, Southland 'being deprived of holding the cup by a goal scored in the last minute of the -natch. Manager M'Gillivray reports that the team experienced good weather and an enjoyable trip. Southland fielded the strongest side that has represented the province for some years, and in E. Cook, the Now Zealand rep., and Todd they have two brilliant forwards. Todd, who nlay? inside left, gave an outstanding display, and is the best olayor ho haa seen in the position in New Zealand. This pair were much too speedy for our defence, and, both being tricky with the foot, wore always a source of danger to Otago. Cook, vho scored both of Southland’s goals, was inclined to too much individual effort, and there were occasions when a pass to either of his inside men would have proved or advantage. It was an exceptionally fasl game, play moving rapidly from end to end throughout, and tn® Otago team s fitness stood them in good stead. It was only in the latter part of the game that .Southland’s passing fell away, and then halves failing to support thenr forward-; gave the Otago vanguard the opportunity to severely test the defence. Cook at this period dropped back to help in staving off the advances, and this was to a certain extent the downfall of Southland, as Fraser, getting a nice pass from Watkins, ;<x>red the equalising goal on time. Previous to this M'Tavish, who had played well along with Latimer on the wing in the second half had bad luck with a hard drive, which struck the crossbar. Otago s first goal was scored by Latimer, not Watkins, as previously reported. I am indebted to a Southland correspondent for the following remarks on the game: —Saturday’s match with Southland at Invercargill was played under ideal weather conditions, and on a surface that, for the Association game, would bo very hard to beat. Otago was considerably handicapped in the iirat spoil having to play against the sun, whereas, in the second the Southlandors had the protection of the long, high A. and P. grand stand to the immediate west of the ground, the game proved tho brilliance of Otago as an attacking side, and an undoubted weakness in tho defence. Strangely enough, Southland was also only iu tho picture as a strong attacking eleven, tho wonderful play of R. Cook, full-back, being the team s only salvation when the ball was at the feot of tho Blues. The result was that the game developed into a series of alternate attacking movements, which in the majority of ’cases came to _ grief in the capable hands of Oa-skie, in the Otago goal, and E. Cook, ol tho Southland eleven. Burdsloy, Otago’s youthful right half, was worth watching. Ho stuck to his man, and was always in the picture, and proved himself tho makings of a reliable and solid rather than brilliant half. Dryden. at centre half was also to bo depended upon, his useful clearing saving tho backs time and again. Duncan played a nippy game, but was rather overshadowed by E Cook, tho Southland New ' Zealand rep. Fraser somed to be the best forward that travelled, and was always a source of danger, although ho often failed to find tho net, Braithwaito and Scouller are a good pair of fulll-backs, and their clearing was all that could bo desired, although the latter was inclined to place the ball too much to tile centre. On the whole, it must, bo admitted that Southland had a lot of hard luck. E. Cook did not find true form till tho second half, and missed three possible goals in the first spell. Tho Southland eleven was a team of individualists. Tho half line was very weak, and played so far back as to bo out of touch with five brilliant forwards. On tho other hand, Otago played a good combined game and cave a superior exhibit ion of theoretical football. Latimer got plenty of the ball, but was usually headed off and forced to cross too soon, with the result that the two Southland backs, R. Cook and Dymmock, successfully cleared. The following letter was received from a. correspondent last week and ns the information given is interesting even to present-day followers of Soccer I have pleasure in publishing it. The writer, who, I understand, was a keen supporter of tho Northern when in Dunedin, states: —“Dear Corner Kick. —I am a constant reader of your notes in every Thursday’s issue of the Otago Daily Times and I find them very interesting indeed. Seeing that Otago intended sending a team this year in quest of tho Brown Shield, I thought it might bo interesting to you to know tho names of tho players who first obtained the coveted shield for Otago. I have taken the particulars from a photo in my possession. The team was as follows; W. Easton (manager), D. M’Millan. lOst (Roslyn) captain, G. M’Millan, list 21b (Roslyn), J. M’Millan, 9st (Roslyn), P. Ross, lOst 71b (Roslyn), C. Jarvis, list 71b (Northern) goal, J. M'Donald lOst 71b (Northern), R, Walker lOst 101 b (Northern), A. White, 10s s!b (Northern), 0. M'Leod, 9st 21b (Northern), R, Pollock, 9st 41b (Northern), R. O’Connor, lOst (Rangers); tho emergencies were W. Watson, lOst 41b (Roslyn) and W. Bunting. Bst 101 b (Roslyn). The year was 1893 and Otago won tho shield by defeating Canterbury at Christchurch and then Auckland at Wellington.” Of the three clubs mentioned Northern is the only one still in existence. Roslyn, although they lost many members, including the M’Milians, when the Wakari Club was formed, carried on successfully for many years, and subseqneniy the two clubs almalgamatod about the time the district scheme was brought in, but caving to the loss of members joining up for tho Great War tho combined clubs were unable to carry on and dropped out. It is interesting to note, that young Bardsley, of the present High School Old Boys’ team, is a nephew of tho M’Millans mentioned and having seen these players in action (although at the latter end of their brillaint careers) their mantle has assuredly fallen on their clever nephew who, by the way, gained his first representative honours with tho Otago team which played Southland for the Peter Dawson Cup on Saturday. It is a disappointment to many that Otago is not to have the chance of playing for tho shield this year, through the action of Auckland playing_ only four out of fho seven challenges received. An attempt was made to get one of the minor associations to stand aside for Otago, but although Auckland Agreed to accede to the request tho minor association concerned was not agreeable. Next Saturday Wellington will play Auckland for the shield when the representative team from tho capital city are confident that they can win. The result of tho gatno will bo eagerly looked for in Dunedin. Tho following tables give the positions of the teams in the fourth and fifth grade at tho end of the first round:—

Congratulations to Seaoliff on again reaching the final for the Chatham Cup. This club won the trophy the first year ’t was played for —in 1923—but lost it to Harbour Board (Auckland) in 1924, and local Socoeritos will wish them every success in the final this year. The of the match has not yot been fixed. According to Christchurch papers, Seacliff thoroughly deserved their win over Nomads, the scores 'being 2 to nil. Both goals were got by Hooper. Commenting on the play, the Christchurch Sun states The game throughout was keenly contested, and, except for one or two minor occurrences, played in a good sporting spirit. At no stage of the game did play become at all dull. On the contrary, the game throughout was full of incident. On the day’s play the better of the two teams won. In air departments of the gam© —except, perhaps, goalkeeping—the visitors excelled, and, as a team, gave a great exhibition of combined work. Their half-backs from a great trio, and the success of Seacliif is due in no small measure to the splendid play of the halves and their brainy tactics. Their forwards were not afraid to sling the ball about, and the passing from man to man was always accurate and well directed. Early in the first half Anderson, their star back, suffered injuries to his leg, and watched proceedings from the side-line for the remainder of the spoU. ‘ ‘ For the visitors, Hooper, who fills the centre-forward position, is undoubtedly a player of class; he is very fast on the ball, and opens up the game with skill and judgment. Simmonds occupied the insideright position, and was conspicuous for his bright display of clever footwork. This player does not make the mistake of wasting time in useless fancy play, and his One object was to get the ball as near the goal as promptly as possible. Baillio exhibited a good turn of speed on the left wing, and was responsible for several good runs. He places the ball accurately, and has evidently paid special attention to the scoring possibilities of comer-kicks, as these wore put in with fine judgment. Cooper’s tall figure at centre-half caught the eye vhen tno Light Blues took up their positions, and ho gave one of the best exhibitions of centre-half play so far seen on the ground this season. He indulged in no pretty work that did not have for its object the transferring of the ball to one of his forwards in a good scoring position, and his prompt placing contrasted sharply with that useless dallying with the ball so painfully evident in the work of the Nomads halves. Waugh and Murray were the two supporting halves, and they both played useful games. Anderson, at rightback, has a well-deserved reputation 'n this position, and it is unfortunate that the injury which he received in the fir J five minutes’ play should nave handicapped him for tile remainder of the game, as the Christchurch public wore unable to see him at his best. Gwillam had no really difficult shots to deal with, but ho gives the impression that it would Have to bo a good shot to get past him. Nomads’ forwards were disappointing. Handicapped by a lack of accurate passes from their halves, and worried by a resolute and determined defence, they had an unenviable time of it, but even in spite of these extenuating circumstances their work was bad. The wingers. Purvis and Chapman, were not impressive; the latter did not appear to be able to lift the ball to centre accurately, and his shots were will! Jim M'Dougnll, as centre-forward, put in some good inidividnnl work, but he failed to open up the game sufficiently. At inside left Colin M'Dougnll was too prone to Indulge in pretty footwork, and In common with the rest of the forwards he should cultivate a more direct style of play, as delay always enables the opposition to rally round. The halves were good tacklers, but wore, on the whole. Inclined to hang on too long, and their placing wan weak. Graham did not play up to his usual standard, and in the opening stages was not very sure, but he improved ns the game progressed. Flood tackled vigorously, but would do better to, adopt a style of tackling that does not leave him to such disadvantage when beaten. Jackson, in goal, let two through, but with these he had no chance. He played a thoroughly safe game, and on one occasion he effected a great save by rushing out and deflecting from Hooper’s feet. The football displayed in the SouthernTechnical College was not of exceptional quality, and while at times the play was good, generally speaking ihe game was not highly interesting. The defence set up by Technical very early had its desired effect, the bustling methods adopted by their halves having a very quieting effect on the opposing forwards. Technical were well served hy Holden (goal), Middlemans, and Morrow, in the halves, the latter being the best of the trio. Hector stood out in the forward line, but as a whole the College forwards have often been seen to better advantage. Culbcrt at centre relied ton much on individual effort. Holden in goal was responsible for some good saves, but has a bad habit, of holding the ball. Against heavy and dashing forwards lie would realise what this fault really meant. Southern, though winning with ease, never until near the close showed convincing form. Their forwards, with the exception of 'Wallace and Jones, being decidedly off the game, and several very easy goal lug chances wore thrown away. Roddington was good and bad in parts, Donnelly failing entirely to show convincing form. The defence, however, was fairly sound, although M'Kenzic (goal) could not be commended, his judgment at times being very faulty. Mitson, a promoted player, lias been seen (o better advantage. A correspondent writes: —“Dear “Corner Kick,’—Your usually excellent and unbiassed weekly comments on the various interclub games wore marred last week by a paragraph on the Southern-Maori Hill match, obviously contributed by a partisan of Ihe first-named club. The statements contained therein to which I aud others lake strong exception are those rotating to the manner in which the game was controlled by the referee, and.also to the reference to the Maori Hill player Balk. Of several of the referee’s decisions it may be said that not only were they open to question, but were palpably incorrect; and ns to Balk being a failure in his position, the fact is that he frequently outmanoeuvred the opposing half-back and sent in several excellent centring kicks.” [The comments referred to wore supplied by an authority who has had a good deal of experience as a player and referee. On referring the complaint to him he states he sees no reason to alter his opinion.]

Ravonsbourno FOURTH r. w. ... n n GRADE h. D. 1 1 Goals For. Apst. 46 7 Cup 1'ts. 19 Northern A 11 [l 2 — 47 in 18 High School A n R 3 — 34 ii 16 Mornington n 8 3 — 31 IS 16 OM Boys ... u 7 2 2 32 15 16 Southern u 5 4 0 28 26 12 Port Convent u 5 4 2 22 22 12 High School B u 2 7 2 0 2n I! Maori Hill u 2 8 8 45 5 Technical n 1 7 3 6 26 5 Y.M.C.A. u 1 8 2 17 32 4 Northern B n — 8 3 5 44 3 Port Convent FIFTH GRADE. r. W. L. D. ... 10 n — i Goals For. Apst, S3 6 Cop Fts. 19 liarensbournc 10 7 1 2 23 10 16 Y.M.C.A. Swilts 10 fi — 4 -.6 n 16 Hi trh School A 9 1 3 30 10 15 Technical Col. A 0 4 3 3 13 10 High School B 9 4 4 1 ]fi 18 9 Mornington 10 4 h 16 27 9 Normal ;i 8 6 — 25 22 C Y.M.C.A. Hover* 9 2 7 — 9 49 4 High School c n 1 8 — 6 53 2 Technical OoL B 10 — 10 4 $3 —