ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21648, 19 May 1932, Page 4

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

By Corner Kick. June 11.—Canterbury v. Otago (F.A. Trophy game). FLETCHER CUP COMPETITION With only three more matches to play to complete the first round, Seacliff haye maintained a two-point lead to date in the Fletcher Cup competition, Mosgiel being next on the list. The young Port Chalmers team has performed well so far and occupies third position, being one point behind Mosgiel. Next Saturday's draw should bring about further changes, and with two matches being played at Logan Park, spectators should be treated to a good afternoon’s football. Tim first match will be between and Technical, and the second between Seacliff and Maori Hill. In view of the shortening of the days, the players in the first game are asked to take the field promptly at 1.30 to allow the following match to finish before darkness sets in. MAORI HILL v. OLD BOYS The play in the game at Logan Park between Maori Hill and Old Boys did not flatter either of the teams, although occasionally there were bright patches of play, when, with combined movements, the first line of defence was penetrated, lack of finish near the goals more often than n6t nullified chances of scoring. It was only in the last half-hour’s play that the Hill team displayed any real superiority over the Old Boys’ side, which had played an uphill fight since Woods, on the leftwing, was forced to retire with an injured knee prior to half time. Old Boys were further disorganised through the absence of Sutherland, the right full-back, and with Duncan from the forward line filling the vacancy, the attack was considerably weakened. Hill's first goal was a soft affair, but Groves had a great chance later on of equalising the score for Old Boys. However, his shot went straight for Wills instead of being directed to the opposite end of the goal. Old Boys were done when Hill scored a further three goals, Proctor, Haldyne. and Thompson giving Caskie little chance of saving with close shots. For the winners, Wills in goal dealt effectively with all shots that came his way, especially a fine left foot from Duncan, who had taken up his old position in the forwards towards the end. Taylor, the right back, displayed good judgment throughout, his kicking and tackling being sound. Thompson was the best m the intermediate line. Brown also did well,’but there was a lack of that forceful play that has come to be associated with him in the past. Proctor was outstanding amongst the forwards, working in well with Balk on the left and slipping over some nice passes to the centre. Balk has yet to - reproduce last year’s form, his crosses to the centre being _ less accurate than usual. Haldyne- continues to shape well in the centre forward position. He displays dash, and once he gains the habit of controlling the ball more perfectly should produce goals. Carse .and Oliver were always a dangerous pair when the play came their way, which was not very often, as the half line was inclined to send the ball more to the left. Duncan’s display at full-back for Old Boys marks him as the most versatile player in Otago to-day. He is equally at home as a half-back, or as centreforward, as he is in his usual position on the right wing. In front he had a solid grafter in Boyd, who gave the opposing forwards little respite. Chapman, at centre-half, played a heady game throughout, but with a forward line not up to the calibre of past years, much of his good work went for nothing. Woods s injury will keep him put of the game for a week or two and with fewer players showing promise in the second division the loss will be a serious one for Old Boys. MOSGIEL v. MORNINGTON The game between Mosgiel and Mornington was one of tall scoring, 10 goals being registered, keeping spectators on their toes until the final whistle. The ground, ajthough greasy, was not holding, good, close football being out of the question. Mosgiel only realised this when the score stood four-two against them, but once the players opened up and swung the ball about they rattled on four goals in the last 30 minutes. Up till then Mornington looked winners all oyer, their style of play suiting the conditions, and also upsetting Mosgiel’s close play. For the losers M'Quarrie . played a really fine game, saving some very awkward shots. At full-back Hall and Donaldson were safe, the latter playing strongly in the second spell. The halves kept their forwards well supplied with the ball. Marshall being the pick, although inclined to act the spare forward too often. Paul, who secured the “ hat trick,” led his forward line well, displaying clever and brainy football. Watkins was good, but his crossing to goal at times was too quick. He should draw the defence out before parting with the ball. Fleming and Connolly also put in a lot of useful work. On the whole Mornington put up a strong challenge to Mos-

giel, and should prove & hard proposition to the other teams in the competition. For Mosgiel, although M'Dougall was not as brililant as usual, the backs, M'Cloy and Lindsay, were safe, whilst Porter played a fine game in the second spell. During the early spell he was inclined to lie too far up, allowing Paul, the clever Mornington centre, too much freedom. O’Rorke appeared at right-half, and shaped well, Truesdale, on the left, being prone to get out of position, but otherwise he played a good game. Of the forwards, Skinner was the pick, playing his best game to date, and was mainly responsible for his team gaining two points. Moore made some nice openings for both Skinner and Martin. The lastnamed played well, although he did not appear to handle the heavy going too well. White and Gorrie, on the right wing, combined nicely, the latter’s crossing being a feature of his play. SEACLIFF v. NORTHERN.' As was expected the match between the top and bottom teams on the table — Seacliff and Northern respectively-—re-sulted in a win for the former. A remarkable feature of the game was the low scoring, only two goals being registered, both by Seacliff, which had the advantage in- the play for, the greater part of the time. The forward line had many opportunities of doing better, but failed to press home the attacks. Warnock, M'Cormack and Baillie were the best of the vanguard, the former sending along some fine passes to Simmons on the right-wing. The winger, however, did not show his best form. The defence was not seriously troubled by the weakened Northern team. Hall in goal for the Black and Whites gave a very sound display, whilst Thompson at right back was outstanding in defence. Muir and Perry in the half line came through a hard day with credit. The forward play throughout was weak, lacking finish and accurate placing. Faithful, until he was forced to retire with an injured knee, and M‘Hugh were the best. M‘Hugh put in some fine individual work, but his efforts were nullified by poor finish in front of goal. It is many seasons since the Black and Whites have been so poorly represented, but most clubs in their time strike a Jean year now and then, and with the old traditions of the club behind it there is every reason to suppose that it will soon overcome its difficulties and be again amongst the foremost clubs. PORT v. TECHNICAL. This match on the Oval provided the better game of the two matches played in town. Both teams displayed crisp and fast football, which if not of the type combining clever footwork and cohesive play nevertheless provided the spectators with plenty of exciting moments throughout the 90 minutes. On the run of the play Port fully deserved the honours. The team played well together, the halves keeping in touch with the forwards. Ot the defence. W. Ives at centre-half was the best, with Groves playing nice football. The latter player fed Stark well, his passes always being along the ground. Ives and Stark were the pick of the forwards, Ives scoring .four nice goals. Both these players are very fast and tricky. Technical were caught right from the start, the forwards, by waiting for the ball to come to them, finding the speedy play of the Port players upsetting. There was not much between the players in the back divisions, Hector was as solid as ® ve . r > but had his hands full m , covering Stark, Port's speedy left winger. Of the torwards Witchall was very fast, poor finls h near the goals spoiling his good work otherwise. Armishaw also did well, put as a line the vanguard was disappointing and failed to keep up with the play. Holden in goal came out of a hard (lay with credit, and it was mainly to his fine judgment in clearing that Port s score of six goals was not higher. F.A. TROPHY CHALLENGE. The first challenge match of the season for the Football Association trophy (at present held by Otago) has been definite y fixed for Saturday, June 11. The match will take place in Dunedin, when the Canterbury representatives will again be the challengers. Last season, following Otago’s success in wresting the trophy from Wellington, it was also successful in resisting a challenge from Canterbury. The Otago representatives have it in their hands to provide a feast of interprovmcial matches for local supporters this season, as in addition to Canterbury, the Wellington and Auckland representatives -would require to visit Dunedin should Otago win each challenge. . . , . The players selected to go into training pretty well covers all the available talent, but there are one or two positions which are likely to give the selectors some concern in the filling. Once the team is selected two essentials for success are that the players should develop the necessary team spirit and he physically fit to stand the strain of a hard game. Canterbury are making no secret of the fact that it is after the trophy this time, and it is their intention to play a Peter Dawson Cup match with Westland on June 3, the object being to look over any_ likely players from the Westland district who would strengthen their team for the trophy game. , . The test match to be played between two teams of selected players on May 28 at Logan Park will give the public an opportunity of judging the merits of players for representative honours. The teams will be as follow: — Goal: Holden (Technical). . Full-backs: Sutherland (High School), Anderson (Seacliff). Halves: Porter (Mosgiel). Brown (Maori Hill), Gordon (Seacliff). Forwards: Ives (Port), Simmons (Seacliff). Hooper (Seacliff), Proctor (Maori Hill), Balk (Maori Hill). Goal: M'Dougall (Mosgiel). Full-backs; Taylor (Maori Hill), Cope (Technical). _ Halves: M'Hugh (Northern), Chamnan (High School), Sutherland (Northern). Forwards: Duncan (High School), Witchall (Technical), Martin (Mosgiel), M'Cormack (Seacliff), Stark (Port). Emergencies; Moon (Mornington), W. Thomson (Maori Hill), and Oliver (Maori Hill). The attention of the above players is called to the fact that the training night has been altered to Wednesday of each week at 7.30 p.m. at the Northern Ground. THE ENGLISH CUP TIE. The English Association Football Cup tie has resulted in the last 10 years as follows: — Winners. Losers Goals. 1923 Wand. West Ham 2—o 1924 Newcastle Un. Aston Villa 2—o 1925 Sheffield Un. Cardiff City I—o 1926 Bolton Wand., Manchester City I—o 1927 — Cardiff City Arsenal I—o 1928 — Blackburn E. Huddersfield Tn. 3 —l 1929 — Bolton Wand. Portsmouth 2—o 1930 — Arsenal Huddersfield 2—o 1931 — W. Brom. Alb. Birmingham 2—l 1932 Newcastle Un. Arsenal 2—l

CORRESPONDENCE

Dear “Corner-Kick,” —-It is pleasing to all followers of the Association football code to see the selectors of the Otago Football Association in earnest about the coming English football trophy matches. Now that a test match has been arranged the writer suggests a try-out of G. Henderson, the Leith forward. He is young, fast, has good physique, excellent ball control, and a powerful boot on cither foot. His shqts are an object lesson to most of our senior players to-day. Only loyalty to his club prevents his playing senior football. Hoping to see him in action on April 28. —I. am, etc., G. Clarke.