ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20174, 11 August 1927, Page 4

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

Bt Cooveb Kick. ENGLISH FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION TROPHY FIXTURES. August 13. —Wellington v. Auckland, at _ , *tt i August 20.— Wellington v. Otago, at WeiSeptember 3.—Auckland v. Otago, at Dunedin. . _ . , _ September 10.—Auckland v. Canterbury, at Christchurch. September 17.— Canterbury v. Otago, at Dunedin. , , The date of the Wellingtou-Canterbury match has not yet been announced. CHATHAM CUP. SOUTH ISLAND FINAL. August 27.—Northern v. Nomads, at Christchurch. Next Saturday’s games will complete the second round of matches in division 1. The assured position of the Northern Club in regard to the premiers for this season has somewhat taken away the interest from the club games, but there still remains to be decided the runners-up. This position lies between Maori Hill and Seacliff, the former having one more point than the latter, and the meeting of these teams should give followers of the code a keen game. , , _ , ... The principal match for Saturdav will be the Maori Hill-Otago High School Old Boys fixture at Culling Park, and from last week’s showing of both teams the match should be keenly contested. The main surprise of Saturday’s games was the defeat of Seacliff at the hands of Mornington by two goals to nil. Prior to the start of the game the latter team were quietly confident of the result, but their win was not due to any great superiority in the play. The Seacliff players did not appear comfortable, and it was some time before they adapted themselves to the erratic bouncing of the ball, peculiar to the Mornington ground. Those who have had experience of this playing area know that they must get well over the ball to keep it low. The play throughout was not remarkable for brightness, hard and high kicking being far too prevalent to make it attractive, although under these conditions the position of play changed rapidly at times. On one occasion this lightning change placed the referee, Mr W. P. Smith, in a peculiar position. Rankine, Mornington’s goalkeeper, having run out to clear a long shot by Hooper, speculated and missed, but recovered to kick the ball clear as it was rolling into the goal. The referee had no time to be up with the play and judged the ball had gone through and whistled for a goal. On the sporting action of Hooper, supported by the statements of two onlookers near the goal, who stated that the ball had not gone through, the referee reversed his decision. The incident should serve as a reminder to goalkeepers that it is always the safest plan to use their hands in clearing. Another incident, which does not often happen, was the fact that Rivers, Scad ill’s goalkeeper, was penalised for handling the ball outside his own penalty area as provided for under law 8. Mornington’s half-back line were again the mainstay of tho Hill team, Munro, in particular, being much in evidence throughout the whole of the play with good solid defence and attacking play. Johnson showed good judgment in the second spell by taking u]3 the loft full-back position and bringing Dickel back •to left half to strengthen the defence. Donaldson, who played left full-back in the first half, is a versatile player, and although ho was very safe in the back position, the change to tho vanguard had the effect of making the Hill attacks more pronounced. Mornington tried out two junior lads, Fleming, inside left, and Patton, centre-forward. Both performed creditably for their first appearance in the first division team, and with more experience and coaching they should turn out a serviceable pair for tho Hill team. Seacliff did not get going properly, for their usual combination play was lacking. Cooper, at; centre-half, was the best of tho back division, but Baxter and Dickson, the other halves, gave a poor display, both kicking erratically. Baxter played in place of Waugh, and this was his first game with Seacliff this season. In past seasons he has shown himolf to be a fine player, who knows tho game well, but his Jong spell of inactivity, has, no doubt, affected his play. The forward line failed to act in cohesion and Simmons and Baillio were tho two most prominent. Hooper’s habit of facing to meet tho ball proved disastrous on Saturday, as both Braithwaito and Johnson kept in close touch with him and gave him no opportunity to got away in liis characteristic runs for goal. Northern must be counted a vary lucky team in drawing with Otago High School Old Boys last week. From start to finish tho school team displayed keenness and dash totally unexpected by their opponents. In fact. School’s dashing play in tho first half hour completely upset Northern, and had they kept up tho attack right through instead of settling down to a defensive game in the second spell the result would have been different. The respite, brief though it was, was just what Northern wanted. Both sets of backs gave a good display of football, Scoular being prominent in head work, while Pickerill’s placing made many good openings. The halves on both sides played well. Cherry appeared at centre-half, but was closely watched and given very little leeway, ferry played a serviceable game throughout. Munsio was responsible for many lino openings to his left wing men, of which they lailcd to take advantage. Tho host defensive half on the ground was Gould, whose strong and accurate kicking relieved pressure time and again Though forced to take tho ball in an awkward position, he never missed a kick, and played easily his best game this season. He was responsible for directing the attack to Old Boys’ right wing. Dickson, at centre, played a serviceable game and was always a stumbling block to th© Northern attack. Ho made many splendid openings to his inside men. Barr, at right-half, relied on his speed, which stood him in good stead quite often; indeed, he surprised his opponents by his amazing quickness in getting in and recovering. XTo was a source of trouble to tho left wing pair, M’C’ormack and M’Lean, from whom he took tho ball repeatedly. Of the forwards, Northern had tho better line, but sterling defence kept them out. Neither of their goals, scored by M’Hugh and M’Dowal), were good efforts. Tho usual snappy play of tho “Macs” was absent on Saturday. M'Cormack and M’Lean seemed unable to make anything of tho openings given them. In the first spell they lost several excellent opportunities through wild shooting. The right wing pair wove not convincing, M’Dowall having too great a tendency to play tho man. Of tho School forwards, the rightwing was tho best, Grant making a groat difference in the outsido position. Duncan at centre, was quite at home, but luck was against him all through tho game. Latimer did not play up to liis usual standard and still lias that tendency to manoeuvre before essaying to shoot. Chapman showed lack of training and was inclined to bo out of position too much. Of tho goalkeepers, Caskio gave the more finished display. Apart from a tendency to punch when he should hold the ball, his performance was first-class. M’Quarrio had more to do, but did not exhibit the same coolness or judgment as Caskie, and was lucky on several occasions to get the ball clear. Technical proved no match for Maori Hill at Culling Park, the final score being 10 goals to nil, which is tho record for club games this season. Technical had a fair share in the attack, but their movements always broke down m front of goal, whereas Maori Hill, on practically every occasion that they came through tho defence, scored a goal. Proctor being very much in evidence by scoring eight. Tho two bottom teams, Y.M.C.A. and Southern, played a drawn game at tho Oval, which leaves the positions of the teams tho fame, Y.M.C.A. having scored one more point than Southern.

THE CANADIAN VISIT. MR J. ADAM’S IMPRESSIONS. “What has gripped us more than anything during our stay in your splendid country has boon the kindness ot the people.” said Mr J. Adam, manager of the team to a New Zealand Herald representative. "Il has been overwhelming. We have played in all parts of both islands, and everywhere llic team has been spoiled with kindness. The generosity and good fellowship has been by no means confined to football circles, One of those

to whom we are moat indebted is the Prime Minister, Mr Coates, who has done much to make our stay enjoyable. “The council of the New Zealand Football Association and all its relative bodies have also done their best for us. We will leave with the indelible memory of a glorious tour, and all we hope is that some day we will be able to entertain a New Zealand team as we have been entertained.” . „ HSTANDARDS OF PLAY. Regarding the possibility of a New Zealand team being invited to visit Canada, Mr Adam said there was no reason why an invitation should not be sent in two years’ time. “Of course.” he added, “that is providing the standard of the game here goes on improving. At present New Zealand Soccer is hardly up to the Canadian standard. We have some very fine teams in our country, and these are the ones which New Zealand would have to meet first on the tour. If these could be beaten the success of the tour would be assured. “At present, however, I do not think the teams to which I refer would be defeated by a Now Zealand eleven on Canadian soil. These teams represent mining districts, and, as is the case in New Zealand, have a backbone of British-born players who are the life and soul of the football. Still, I think that in a couple of years’ time an invitation could come from Canada.” Of all the teams Canada defeated Wellington provided the most opposition, said Mr Adam. Some of the cleverest football witnessed on the tour was that of the boys of Flock House, where a friendly game was played. LESSONS OF THE TOUR. Touching upon features of Soccer as played in New Zealand, Mr Adam said there was a tendency toward bustling at the sacrifice of combination. In training his team he always emphasised the value of passing and keeping in position. One of the main reasons, perhaps the main reason, for Canada’s success was that its opponents were allowed to do most of the running. It was far less tiring to pass the ball than to run with it, and more was to be gained by doing so. These tactics, of course, were not so effective on muddy grounds, and when the turf was heavy it was the custom for the players to kick hard and open up the game as much as possible. They would attack hard, say, for 15 minutes, and then ease the pressure, allowing their opponents to set the pace. Mr Adam expressed agreeable surprise at the manner in which the Canadians had adapted themselves to the muddy grounds while on tour, for the Canadians were more used to dry grounds. To stimulate the interest of each player in the Canadian team it was the custom for a new captain to be chosen for each macth. Consequently every player had the honour of captaincy conferred upon him during the tour. As a memento of the occasion he received the ball used in the game, and it was autographed by the teams if possible. GOALKEEPER’S YELLOW JERSEY. “Some curiosity exists concerning tho vivid yellow colour of our goal-keeper’s Jersey,” said Mr Adam. “It might be said that ‘there is method in this madness,’ and I do not mind giving a ‘Up.’ Most of your goal-keepers wear white or sombrooolourcd jerseys. Now, when a forward is dribbling for goal ho will shoot straight at the goal-keeper nine times out of 10 if the latter is wearing a bright i-niforin The colour acts as a magnet, and has a strange attraction for tho attacher. It is a point worth noting.” Whenver the opportunity occurred Mr Adam gave addresses on Canada and the Soccer code. One of his proudest possessions is a letter from a New Zealand country school master. This was written after Mr Adam had spoken to the boys about Soccer football. Tho local Soccer authoriUes had supplied a ball to the school previously, but tho headmaster had returned it because it was not tho popular shape. Mr Adam was, therefore, very surprised when he received a letter from the master a few days ago stating that tho morning after the address five Soccer balls were being used in tho the school ground, and this enthusiasm had loci to the inclusion of the code among tho school pastimes. 'iho Canadian goals were scored as follows Archibald 34, Turner 16, Gibson 14, Davidson 10, Brolly 9, Monaghan 7, Pogson 8, Francis 4, Thomson 4, Milligan 5, Crawley 3 Williams 2, Paynter 2. Dave Turner, who is regarded by the other members of the Canadian team as being the most outstanding player on their side, has also given his impression to an Auckland Sun representative, and the course of a breezy article states: ihe standard of Soccer m this country has been pn-r (o us. Tho game, perhaps, has not developed so far as ours, in the I - ol pos i :onal play, headwork, and shooting precision, but the germ is there. Keen men are heart and soul for the betterment of th,e game, and experienced players are contributing tho finesse. “ Were I to recommend a change in the style of the play, I would emphasise short passing. The stylo is the Scots game, and the most effective typo of Soccer in tho world to-day. “A kick and a rush is generally futile, is not thrilling, and devoid of the science that the game has. Attention to control of a ball in a small area would bo beneficial, for it is by the faculty of being able to manoeuvre a ball in a restricted space that lends snap and pretty effect to the watching. More co-operation between wing forwards and the respective halves would develop tho penetrating tfiangle play that is so upsetting to a dofence. Tins wedge formation is lugniy productive of results, is essential to cveiy good game of Soccer, and, withal, is a very clever movement. Practice is all that is needed to bring about the understanding and harmony that marks a winning team. Our boys were utterly strange to each other on assembling in Vancouver but in a lew exhibition matches wo had a machine that could function smoothly and efficiently. “The teams that wo select throughout the tour as giving us a taste of our own style arc Wellington, Otago, and Hastings. Tho c c teams played neat, scientific Soccer, witli tho result that tho displays were greatly enjoyed by tho spectators. Uur weight and condition swung the balance in our favour in each of these games; otherwise Greymouth would not stand alone in holding a win over tho Maple Leaf while mentioning Greymouth. I would like to call special attention to Timlin, the goalkeeper of that side. Alone ho beat a-., breaking our hearts wit th °c 1 exhibition he put up. The fic d , as n , J plorablo. We had so much of tho Pay that Edmunds and Moon were down at t.io Greymouth end, shooting in but-iimlm was there. We do not regret being beaten Rather do wo give all praise to the w cst Coasters.”