ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20706, 2 May 1929, Page 4

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

By Corner Kick,

The closeness' of the previous weeks games, in which all four matches were drawn, no doubt was responsible, in some measure to the ’ increase in attendances seen at all the first division games last week-end. It was quite expected that the second round on', Saturday would bring about changes, the most noticeable of .which was the defeat of. last year’s Cup winners, Maori' Hill’,-; at. the hands of Technica l by a 50 per edit, margin. From the start Technical ; gave the impression that it would be hard to beai, and, being a youthful side, is full of energy, and plays a good open game, using both wings to advantage. Judged on the other results, the season has every indication of providing a keen, open competition. The four winners of last weeks’ games are drawn to meet next Saturday is Northern v. Technical, at the Oval, and Seacliff v. Mornington, at Mornington, and either game should be worth witnessing. . NEW ZEALAND FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION. In view of the annual meeting of the New Zealand Football Association, which takes place at Wellington to-morrow night. May 3, the following extracts taken from the thirty-eighth annual report will be of interest. The report states that the number of teams affiliated to the various local associations totalled 543, including 188 school teams. The council regret that the Football Association trophy competition did not help the game to any great extent during the season. It was obvious, of course, that, owing to heavy financial losses incurred in carrying on this competition during the 1920-1927 seasons, that the council could not continue to guarantee the expenses of matches. Some other lorm of finance ■ was therefore necessary, but, unfortunately, the major associations were not unanimous in the matter Eventually it was decided, that the trophy should be held by Wellington subject to challenge, and the following games were played Wellington, ,7, goals v. Canterbury, 4 goals; Auckland, 3 goals, v. Wellington,.nil;’ Auckland, 2 goals, v. Wellington, 2 goals. . Drown Shield.—Matches were played as follows.—South Auckland 1 v, Hawke’s Bay 1; South Auckland 2 v. North Auckland nil. ’ South Auckland are to be congratulated upon, its continued success Perhaps if for some future match the council decide to play matches upon the grounds or trie challenging association it would surely do good. No matches were played for the Peter Haweon Cup as, owing to the lateness of toe season, a challenge from the Nelson r ootball Association could not be accepted. Foi the Chatham Cup- 25 entries were received from various clubs throughout the Dominion, and the final was eventually won by Petone (Wellington), who defeated Northern (Otago) by one goal to nil. ■ are extended to the ;L etone Club upon its sportsmanship in competing in the final for two years in succession. The re was a -splendid gate in the final, which covered The expenses of both teams. It is regretted that much -travelling has to be done for this trophy without clubs being, compensated from •the gates for the expenses, but at present the council ig unable to see any way out at the difficulty and can only hope that ;the various clubs will to maintain their interest in; the competition bv competing for the trophy. In reference to schools’ football, it was found impossible to pay a return visit to Australia- owing to lack of finance both L S r<l ls arid New Zealand. Proposals will be set before the annual meeting for such a tour during the; forthcoming season. The game continues to make headway in the schools of the Dominion, particularly m the secondary-schools, and Wellington and Auckland are to be congratulated upon their success, in this direc- • I 1ol i’ , a matter of regret that, owing to lack of finance, the council cannot at present continue its policy of presenting school footballs. ■ It might perhaps not be out of place to mention, continues the report, that much opposition to the boccer code is still being shown by a considerable number of head masters, both primary and secondary. This, is in direct conflict with the expressed opinion of the .Department of Education, and a subco.a,.m*^ee of the council is now dealing with the matter. K

ji;.;.lhe council has at present an offer to receive a team during the present season from tbe Australian Football Association, or, “alternately, to send a team to Australia on similar conditions. The proposals- have been referred to affiliated associations for their approval or otherwise. ■ Shortage of finance makes it a necessity to leave the tours entirely to the affiliated associations to decide. It will be regrettable, if no tour either way is arranged, for undoubtedly visits of teams from beyond New Zealand do much to stimulate the game. The financial statement disclosed a debit , balance of £317 0s 2d at the bank, which is' guaranteed by several members of the council. The financial position has been somewhat improved during, the year, but it is still a matter of serious concern to the council,, who recognise the fact that it is impossible to carry on satisfactorily and promote tbe game in the Dominion without at least having a fair working credit. The difficulties of the council are not lightened by the fact that several associations are behind with their subscriptions, and it is necessary to point out to these members that it'piay be necessary to take definite action'-'.in the matter. During the past season the council asked the affiliated associations -to set aside a special day for raising money towards reducing the council’s liability.-:, 'While some of the associations responded well, the results were generally very disappointing' Proposals towards reducing the bank overdraft will be submitted to tbe annual meeting,, when it is hoped something of a concrete nature towards raising money will bo decided. REMITS. The following remits will come up for consideration ;r By South Canterbury.—“ That the Australian, tour be confined entirely to the ■North Island, and that any necessary guarantors be found in that area.” By Manawatu.-r-“ That official timekeepers be appointed for all matches, more especially for representative and Chatham Cup fixtures.” -By Otago.—“That a committee be set up to draft a uniform, set of rules for all affiliated associations .throughout New Zealand.'' LAST SATURDAY'S GAMES. No doubt, most:; followers of the game, if asked their opinion as to who would win in the match'’Technical Old Boys versus Maori Hill, would have chosen the latter team as the winners for the day. Perhaps, some-of. those who saw. Technical on the previous Saturday against Seacliff might have .thought that this young team woyld come out on top. In any case there was bound to be a very even game, and those who visited Logan Park were not disappointed. Maori Hill were perhaps the more unfortunate, in not scoring more, arid but for the strong defence of Proctor and Anderson a very different story might have been told. Both These teams are going to be in the running. Technical has now met two of the strongest teams in the First Grade so far, and there is every appearance that it will improve as the seafeon goes on, provided it pays strict attention to close passing and keeping the game on ..the move. At present the players pack‘ too closely in front of goal aud require to .learn the wisdom of passing out to the wing men when too many of their opponents’ defence are in The goal area. Maori Hill, on. the other hand, have met Mornington arid Technical. In their first game they were either'- off their game or • not the team they were last year. They give the impression that they have the right material which would soon mould itself into a team , to be Considered when canvassing the possible, winners-of the grade. One of the' Maori, Hill players that played good football on Saturday was M'Whinnic. whose centres were a pleasure to - watch, and whose ' corner kicks were models. Balk, on’the opposite wing, also, sent his corner .kicks true to the mark. Martin and Baillie, on the Maori Hill side; and Batchelor, Witchall, and Cope on the ■ Technical, were forwards that knew : their work | Among, the . halves of both teams 1 Hestor. Dryden (Technical), and Brown 1 and Morris '(Maori Hill) wore the most prominent. The'backs of both teams and goalkeepers. Holden and. Callaghan, were well up to what we have learned to look for. For so early in the season a really good match was witnessed, and those who attended will look forward to seeing these teams when they meet again. Northern gained their first win of the season at the expense of Mosgiel, the scores being four goals to two. The grass on the Gardens ground ig too long for the playing of good football, and the

application of the mower would be of benefit to_ the play; as, otherwise" the playing area is in good condition. The game, on the whole, provided- fairly even play, northern had perhaps more method ■ in its movements, which, with the Black ,and Whites ' intermediate line .dominating, gave the team a slight advantage. Warnock, a'recent recruit from' the Homeland, filled the centre-forward position very creditably, being responsible for three goals, one of which- being the result ■• of <!ever footwork. The backs, MPherson- and Sutherland, were steady, whilst the half line, with Thompson back in.'his old position of centre, are quite on a .par, with the best of the other clubs in the competition. Both Perry, and Baird, the wing-halves, are "showing very good play at present. The inside forwards. M’Huga. Warnoek, and Young rfern prominent in all the Black and White attacks, the former's reappearance in the vanguard making for great im-provement-in the method of attacking movements. The team is displaying good team work, .and .with the probable inclusion of Coates in the near future, and the return of Faithful, who is resting an injury, it has every indication of developing a strong side, ‘ Mospiel’s play shows a higher standard than that of previous years,'its principal weakness being in the forward line, which failed to. strike a happy 'understanding amongst its units. - Skinner, on the leftwing, was again the most outstanding, whilst M Dowall, who opposed his "laid team, on the right wing, did not- display his true form. The halves are of good calibre. Ritchie being the. pick, and Trevathan, at full-back, served his .team well on defence.

At the start, the Old Boye-MorninToti game was inclined to be Tagged. But both teams settled down and gave quite a fair exhibition. Mornington especially in the first half having decidedly the best of tbe P' a Y-. The Hill team won by the,narrow margin of .one goal. They , were-slightly lucky, however, as Old Boys were not given a goal by Duncan which passed over the line by -at least a yard, and which would have put them in th'e lead and probably have altered the whole aspect of .the game. However, the referee stated his vision was blocked and it was impossible from his position to tell so he gave the defenders The benefit. This letotf gave new life to the-Blue and Blacks, and shortly after they scored a good goal from The left wing. This they soon increased to two, the second being the result of a good, piece of combined play starting from the centre-half. The score yvas ■ not altered at half - time. On resuming Old Boys started < well and. Chap : man_was responsible Tor their -first goal. The- Hill team then came away and quickly scored two more goals, the School .-goalie being caught out of position for the first, and went down ,to the second, which he only .partly cleared, and Connoily, playing left wing for Mornington; finished ofl with a splendid angle- shot which Ham could not reach. , Old -Boys now put more dash into, their game and held the upper hand until the finish, twn goals by Latimer putting them in-a riiuch better position. They contiriiied to'.attack and were unlucky when Duricari was. in a great scoring position,' to have the inside left offside, and again, when the whistle blew for time, Duncan, who was then playing centre-forward; had only the goalkeeper to beat. ■ . - . . ■ - .

Mornington were well served by Wills in goal, Johnson, and Scott (who was a last-minute inclusion), -at full-back, . and Munro at centre-half. Their wing halves also played quite well, and placed nicely through’ to their’ front line.' Connelly, .at left-wing, was the pick’ of the forwards, all of' whom, however, played well up to First Grade standard. < Old Boys appeared very fit, and lasted well, going stronger at the finish than at the start. ; Ham, in goal, was Uncertain, but as he is new ot senior-grade, he did fairly well, and will profit by experience. Cunningham, who is a half-back, was again played. at .right-full-back- and did very well. Pickerill also performed creditably. The half ; line was . good • Chapman ■at centre being a. tower-of strength, both.-on attack and defence. Bbyd- at right ’ half also worked well right through., The forr wards, gave some glimpses of pretty combination, but got nowhere with it .until in ' the second half, -. when . Duncan ~ and Groves changed; positions. , Wood,'a last year’s schoolboy, filled the. left wing .posh tion and showed much promise. ; Patrick follows.through nicely, but is still inclined to get offside. Groves was not v at home at centre,- arid did much better : on -the wing. Latimer and Duncan were the mainstay, and both gave- of. their best. ■ .Under favourableconditions a good game was staged between Seacliff and Y.M.C.A on the former’s 'grourid; , Seacliff won by a safe, margin of three goals, but.their younger opponents put up a fine fight, battling hard against, greater skill -and experience. ■ . • ' ' Seacliff were well served by Hooper and S immonds in - the forwards and. Maxwell, Munsic, and Anderson in the backs. Simmonds, in particular, played a great game. Y.M.G.A.': were well - served ■ in: defence by both full-backs,, and tbe halves . defended. stoutly, and often, turned defence into , attack. • R. Macphersori was prominent throughout. The forwards battled hard, but were handicapped through injury to Farquharson' in the first tew minutes' of the game. Nevertheless, they strove hard, but the; defence was sound. Welsh and Bridges played well,' .and Oastler played his usual safe game in goal. The juniors, Mabri' Hill- and RoslynWakari, provided a good-game at Prospect Park, but the score 6—2 does not indicate the run of the play.: The Hill were slightly lucky in the manner, in ■ which they got their goals. The, first two were real good, ones, giving .Reay no chance whatever. The third was the result o' the opposing side stopping arid appealir for off side; the decision of the referee was quite correct, and had the Wakari players kept on with the'play the.chances were that the attack would have fieen cleared. The fourth came from a corner kick splendidly taken, from the right; i' landed a foot inside the near post, when Reay raiskickcd into poal, instead of rising his bands to clear. The better team won on the day, every player combining well Much of.the Hill team’s success was due to Dodds at centre-half, whose bright, and clever footwork relieved his side repeatedly. In Copeland and Horn, tbe Hill have a couple of solid tacklers and good kickers.' Of the forwards, Dalziel was the pick, feeding his wing men with good judgment. Frazer and Croft were also prominent. As far as the Roslyn-Wakari match is concerned it was no discredit to them ,to be beaten by last year’s cupholders,'as the latter, provided they keep the present, standard of play, should .retain the trophy again this year.' For the M'Callum brothers were the best of the defence. The team had the misfortune To have its half-back line disjoined through the absence of S. Harbourue, who was confined to bed. . R. M'Callion was again the best half, playing a very useful game, although he allowed Croft too much scope at times. The forwards ■ were only fair, Conder being the best. Doig and.M'Faull got little of the ball 'in The second half. As ' the play was- going, Wakari won!' 1 have done better had it swung the Lai) about, as. this would have had the effect of upsetting their opponents’ style -of play. Reay,‘ in goal, saved many goad shots, even ■ though he made two .costly mistakes. His experience in the .last two games should show him it is better to use the hands whenever possible. •NOTES. The Wellington Football Association has been’fortunate during the off season in being able to lease its ground- to - Speed-ways.-Ltd., for . a number of years. Some £6OOO must have been spent in improvements to the ground and seating accommodation. the result being tl at it is now one of the" best-appointed grounds .that the code possesses in New r Zealand. . Mr R. B. Bunt, the retiring, secretary of the Canterbury Football Association for over 20 years, who has been actively engaged in the administration of Soccer football, first of all in a club and later on the executive of -the C.F.A.. has reliquished bis secretarial office. Mr Bunt’s record 'in the domain 'of Soccer is an. enviable one; Mr G. D. Anderson will act as his successor.. Club delegates are reminded of the special, general meeting of the local association called tor to-night in the Y.M.C.A to consider the recommendations of the Finance Committee.

~ Arising out of the unfortunate incident when one of the crossbars at the Logan Park ground Was broken during the spell at half time in the course of the Maori Hill-Technical match.• the question has arisen ris to what is the maximum width of the goalposts and crossbar. The Football Association rules, law 1, states: - “Th-> goals shall be upright posts fixed on the goal' lines, cqui-distant from the corner flagstaffs', eight yards apart, with a liar across them eight feet frotn the ground. The maximum width of the goalposts and the maximum depth of the crossbar shall be five .inches.”