ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20700, 24 April 1929, Page 4

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

By Coeneb Kick.

Conditions were ideal for the opening matches of the local 1929 Soccer competitions, the grounds were in good order, and there was no wind to interfere with the play. The results in the first division matches were most remarkable, all four games being drawn, and as far as I can recollect, this is the first occasion on which a similar happening has taken place in local competitions. The display of football in most of the games was quite on a par with the standard expected for the first matches of the season. All teams had a leavening, of new blood, and were more or less finding their bearings. _ The results speak well for the teams,.which have many young players on trial this year and the remaining matches should produce some keen and exciting encounters. Technical College and Seacliff were given pride_ of place at Logan Park ground. This area is without doubt the finest playing pitch which the association has. On the even surface, players have no difficulty in meeting the ball with sure judgment, whilst the grand stand gives an uninterrupted view of the game in comfort—a point which Soccer followers have been without for a considerable time. I understand the association has the right to use this area for 12 Saturdays during the season.

SENIOR GAMES. A much better display was expected o°th Technical and Seacliff teams. The latter were unable to get to any ‘®PEth with combination, the long passing of the Technical players, together with their dash in keeping up with the ball, gave the opposition little chance to settle. Although the game was practically a battle of styles there was very little difference on the day s play, and a draw was a tair indication of the game. Seacliff always dangerous? when near goal, and Holden had several awkward shots to contend with. On the other hand the Technical players, although having more scoring opportunities presented to them, failed to shoot with direction, consequently Rivers, in goal, did not have a great deal to do. Witehall, who partnered Cope on the left-wing, played a really ?£ 0( u n m f' R avin P perfect control of the ball he was quick in sizing up an opening. In his eagerness, however, he is inclined to roam over much, and should have • shot for goal more often, instead of sending out to Cope, whose crosses were too lofty and badly directed to enable his other forwards to get rapid possession in front of goal. Batchelor made'his reappearance after an absence of a year, and showed he has lost little of his fleetness with the ball. The. larger area found him wanting when it came to corner kicks, which he failed in most cases to get across to goal. Lindsay, who last year played full-back, was seen as centre-forward, Patton filling Armishaw’s place at centre-half. The team is very solid in the rear division the halves being especially sound. Both Cry den and Hector were very effective on the wings, the latter especially proving a serious problem for the opposing leftwing of Seacliff, who seldom displayed the brilliancy of last season. ' Both Proctor and Anderson, played soundly at tull-back, the latter, has - , a nice clean kick. With the inclusion of Munsie, M‘Cormack, and M'Lean, three of Northern’s last year’s players.. Seacliff were expected to have the stiffening to-the team that was lacking -last season, but their play was a disappointment. Simmonds, on the right wing, was the best of the forward line, often giving, glimpses of his old form, find Hooper in the centre was unlucky on two. occasions in narrowly missscor*PS from the former’s centres M Loughlin, late •of .Te Taurnata, partnered Simmonds. at inside-right, and these two troubled the opposition throughout the play. The mainstay of the defence wf iß G. Anderson, whose game has 'not varied from last season. His fine anticipation always found him in position to meet the attacks, and be wap the means of saving his side repeatedlv. Baillie, who replaced Milne at left-back (the latter having received an injury, in a Rugby game the previous week) shaped well in the,new. position. The half line was too slow for the fast-moving Technical vanguard, the larger playing area giving the latter plenty of room to work in. Neither of the goals scored in the K®rne was the result of concerted play—both, were lucky scores, Technical’s more so than Seacliff’s.

Mosgiel were at home to High SchooJ Old Boys on Saturday, when a very keen game was the result. The result of the match was five goals each, not one, as previously announced in Monday’s issue. The game was evenly contested, no side being more than one goal ahead during any part a y. .The referee appointed for tlys fixture failed to put in an appearance, and M Intosh, who played last 'year for the Mosgiel team, performed the. task creditably with the whistle. High School fielded several junior players. Ham, from last year’s Third Grade team, kept goal, and except for a little nervousness and a few misjudgments, performed fairly well. Pickerill played ms usual sound game at full-back, and was partnered by Cunningham, who, despite the fact that he was playing out ox position, gave a good exhibition. M Farlane and Boyd, two promoted juniors, joined Chapman in the half-back line, and both shaped well, Boyd in particular showing good promise. Chapman J v .? s .. I* lß best, and gave a finished exhibition at centre-half, his first goal being a beauty, a straight, hard drive from 20 yards out, which was in the net before the goalie could get at it. Groves, also a promoted junior, filled the centre forward position, and played a nice, quiet game, notching two goals. The right-wing pair Latimer and Duncan, both, played up to their best form, Latimer seeming -to put more ginger into his game. He scored the opening goal with a firm header from a >, Tk e left side was the weaker both falling to centre, quickly enough, with the result that several good onnortunities were lost, Pope, on the wing, being the worst offender. Patrick, at inside, was fair, but inclined to hang offside. With a little more play together, the team should dcvelop into a_ nicely-balanced side, and although it consists of many juniors it will, have youth on its side and will be able go the full 00 minutes. Mosgiel with the exception of M'Dowell (ex-Northern player) and Trevathan, who has come back to the round ball game after a spell at Rugby, are practically the same team, as last year. Their display on Saturday was a creditable performance throughout. Hall, then goalie, was unfortunate in receiving an injury early in tbe_ game, and his display between the sticks suffered in consequence. Trevathan, the ex-Southern player, filled the left-full-back position and was uncertain at the start, but was getting into his usual safe play as the game progressed. At centre-half M'Cloy, who has assisted his old team for so long, was the best of the_ intermediate line. M’Dowall, on the right-wing, v and the Skinner brothers, comprising the left-wing pair gave bright displays in the forward line. C. Skinner especially showing that lie is playing as well as last season. Mosgiel have now the makings of a good solid side, and it is not unlikely that they will upset the calculations of some of the other teams in the competition before long. The result of the Maori Hill-Morning-ton game at Mornington came as a surprise, .as Maori Hill were more into their stride, having started practice earlier than-the majority of teams. Mornington. however, have always been a hard team to beat on their own ground, and last year it will be remembered, Maori Hill just managed to win by two goals to one in the second round. It was a fairly good game for the first of the season, and the result was in keeping with the run of the play, as either team would have been unlucky to lose. The main features of the play were the displays of both goalies, Callaghan for Maori Hill and Wills, the ex-Y.M.CA.. player, for Mornington, both bringing off several remarkable saves. The shooting on both sides was good, both goals having very narrow shaves.

. For Mornington, Mnnro, in his old position at centre-half, was outstanding, both in defence and . attack, and was ably assisted by Johnson and McDonald at full-back, Johnson being- the most prominent in his clearances.

Maori Hill did not settle down to their usual combined game, which was a feature_ of their play Inst season; Proctor’s tactics and shooting appeared to he missed in the front line. Sexton, who filled the vacancy performed well, and put in much solid work. Brown, at centre-half, was his usual self, but the ground does not suit his style of. play, and he did not

appear to he quite at home op it. Bain, at left-full-back, received a nasty knock in the first half of the game, hut notwithstanding; was more dependable than his partner. Another close game was that between Northern and Y.M.C.A. at the Gardens, when, although Y.M.C.A. had a lead of one goal for the greater part of the time, the young_ Northern players showed the keen fighting spirit which was a characteristic .of their . predecessors, and once the equalising goal was scored had the better of the play in the final 15 minutes. The solid defence of Taylor (full-back) and Oastler (goal-keeper) proved impregnable,. however, and the game ended in a one-goal draw.. Both these players were prominent throughout, and Haldane at left-half also did good work. Y.M.C.A.’s forward line was weak, lacking combination. Welsh’s goal was a fine effort which gave M'Quarrie no chance. The intermediate line was inclined to play on the defensive over much and should endeavour to develop constructive movements and thus give the meu in front more opportunities of attack. Northern have a keen young team, and once the players get accustomed to each other’s. play they should make a good ■showing in the competition. Warnock. the ex-Technicai forward, signalised his entry under the Black and Whites by scoring a very fine goal, which Oastler had no possible chance of saving. Faithful, at outside-left, was the most outstanding of the vanguard. The team is strong in the half-line, particularly the wing halves. Perry and Baird, who dis-. played their usual fine work. M'Pherson, who again came out from his retirement, filled his old position, at. full-hack, and along with Sutherland, held ; up the Y.M.C.A. advances to such good purpose that M’Q.uarrie in goal, was not often called on to clear. JUNIORS. Watching the juniors on Saturday, a correspondent informs me he was impressed , with the play of the two teams from the recently-formed Roslyn-Wakari Club. In his opinion the Second Grade team will go a long way in the compettion, and although the Third Grade were beaten 3—2. they will, yet give better accounts of themselves, the only thing lacking in their play being their failure to keep position. The material is there, however, and only requires- proper coaching to bring it on. In giving his impressions of the games, the correspondent states that the Second Grade match v. Technical was a good game to watch, with some clever piny on both sides. With a two goal lead. Well on in the second spell Wakari were , inclined to take matters easy, which almost brought about their downfall, more especially in the last 20 minutes, when Technical pressed hard.

In Reay, Wakari had a fairly safe goalkeeper, but he would be well advised to use his hands whenever' possible. He nearly let his. side down by miskicking when he had time to field the ball. Harborne. and M‘Callion (full-backs) were very steady, with-the former more prominent, M‘Callion made a bad mistake in the penalty gick by shooting straight at' the goalkeeper on both occasions (two kicks being taken). The half-backs are the strongest line of the team, and will be hard to . beat. M'Callion (left half) being the best of the trio. He beats his man cleverly and . sends along short ground passes to the. forwards, which reminds pne of Bi 1! Murray. Roberta (centre half) is good on defence, but should pass to the forwards along the ’ carpet. Harborne (right half) is a cleve. tackier, and has good judgment in his passing, which could have been made more us of by the forwards in front.. Of the forwards the left wing pair, Doig and M'FauTl, were the best on the field, the former being very'clever in-hie footwork. M'Faull plays good .football, and will 1 be a great help to his club once he masters the idea of swinging the ball ■to the opposite wing when, his partner is watched too closely. The centre position caused the selector (Patterson) some worry, but he thinks he has now the real thing in Alhim, who played in the inside right position in the first spell. Condor and Beveridge, while not so good as the other wing, served the team well; and with a ’ few more games should improve. Technical have a good goalie in Slack, but-he, like Reay, was mclined' to use his feet too much. Evans and Winton. at full-back, are a steady pair, the former being strong in tackling and clearing well with good: kicks. Spencer,, of the halfline was the best of the trio, and he had a hard time ' watching Allnm. Groves, a young lad, played steadily throughout, and did well against the clever opposition wing' pair. Christensen would strengthen his team a lot by passing along the ground, as the defence got most of his. nigh kicks. The forward line was hard put to it fay having .to run too far anead when a ball was placed to them. In Duncan Technical have a boy who knows how - to pass to his wings, feeding both sides’ alike. On several occasions it would-have paid him batter to have attempted more shots at goal. Mount was the next best,'Having a good manner of receiving a ball, but he was inclined to hang bn too long before parting with it. Watt, another forward,- made the mistake of working out too far to the corner flag, many, of, his: crossings consequently failed to reach the goal, and were thrown away by •the hall going over the line.

SKERRETT MEMORIAL CUP.

A keen supporter of the code, who_ insisted that he remain anonymous, waited on the Auckland Control Board recently and offered a trophy, which he suggested be'known as the Skerrett Memorial Cup. He referred to the valuable services that had been rendered the code in New Zealand by the late Chief Justice Sir Charles Skerrett, and suggested that the trophy would perpetuate nis memory and at the same time, probably help to foster the game to which the late Sir Charles:was much attached. The trophy, which. is believed to be a handsome one, was gratefully received and the donor cordially thanked. It was decided to fall in with the suggestion as to the designation ,of the cup and the Control Beard agreed that the cup .be allotted to the B Grade of the Senior Division. NOTES. Soccer enthusiasts (says a Wellington writer) from the H.M.S. Dunedin dropped a hint in .Wellington that Maori Hill team, Dunedin, are a very hot proposition, and, will make a big bid for the Chatham Cup this year. The Dunedin played them recently and were beaten 4—l. They regard Maori Hill as the best club team in New Zealand to-day. Petone will need to gird up their loins. Petone were, defeated by the ship’s team, there being one goal difference in the scores. A North Island enthusiast expresses himself as . being in favour of , retaining the Chatham Cup competition, but considered that finalists of the-North Island should not be compelled to pay their own expenses to Palmerston North, and then to Auckland, seeing that the winners in the South Island have their expenses to Wellington paid. He makes the suggestion that the winners of the senior leagues in Auckland, Wellington, Otago, and Canterbury should play off for the cup, and that the Now- Zealand Football Association should take all gates and pay all travelling expenses. Soccer affairs are brighter in Auckland since the Thistle Club has returned to the fold of the Auckland Association. There never was any hope that they could succeed in running an opposition show without the approval of the. Auckland Football Association or the New Zealand Football Association. The annual meeting of the New Zealand Football Association on May S will be looked forward to with interest. All Associations are anxious to see what the proposals are for the coming season now that the Australian visit is off. The experiment of the Auckland Football Association in staging night football was in all its essentials _a. complete success, and the enterprise is one which deserves well of the public (says the Auckland Star). The unsettled weather prevented a large attendance, but fully 600 people were present, and on all sides one heard expressions of admiration for the success of the lighting plan and the general management of the tournament. The feasibility of play by night was fully proved; Fifteen games (seven-a-side) of five minutes duration each were played, in one of which Kay of Thiet’es landed five beautiful goals. Tramways won the tournament, beating Onehunga in the final Iw one corner to nil.