ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23213, 10 June 1937, Page 12

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

FIRST GOAL AGAINST ENGLISH TEAM TOURISTS SCORE GOOD WIN (Per United Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH, June 9 Against the faultless combination and almost uncanny ball control of the Englishmen, the CanterburyWestland representatives did extremely well to hold the visitors to a six-goal margin. The final score was 7—l, The match aroused high enthusiasm among the crowd of 6000, which appreciated the courage of the Canterbury defence no less than the brilliant attack by the Englishmen. Canterbury scored in the first few minutes the first goal registered in New Zealand against the visitors, but the Englishmen with fine combination and swift and accurate short passing went to a 4—l lead at half time. After half time Canterbury-West-land played with courage and enterprise, keeping England from scoring for the first 25 minutes. However, the visitors added three more goals by excellent combined play, though the English goal was several times menaced by swift raids by the home team. The scorer for Canterbury-West-land was R. Smith. For England the scorers were Eastham (2). Parr, Mathews (3), ad Davis The main features of the game were the fine goal-keeping of M'Rae, of the Canterbury-Westland team, and the remarkable play of the English captain, Joy, at centre-half. The outstanding players for England were G R. Strasser (right full-back), S Eastham (insideright) and F. A. Davis (outsideleft). defence was almost impregnable, but the Canterbury centre-forward, G. Smith, made him work hard, and once or twice tricked him with his agile footwork. * Joy's height was of the utmost value in heading the ball away, and his judgment of Hie run of plav was never at fault. Strasser had a great deal of work, for the main thrust of the Canterbury attack was along the left flank, but his speed. cleverness*and coolness were -ill that could be desired. Eastham and Davis were two of the fastest men on the field. Davis was * particularly hard to hold in the first spell, for the backs were using his flank a qood deal to initiate attacks. The honours ol the defence tor Canterbury were shared by M'Rae, S. Cawtherav (right full-back) and M Gordon (centre-half) M'Rae was in grand form He was bombarded with powerful drives from all angles and made some glorious saves It was the best game of his career Gordon more than maintained his reputation as one of the soundest defensive players in New Zealand He kept the English centre-forwird, R Matthews well in check and constantly made openings for his own centre-forward, G. Smith. Cawtheray with the play coming to his flank > good deal, came throueh the match with credit. With Smith, C Crowe (outsideleft) and R Scott (inside-left) both West Coast representatives, were the spearhead of most of Canterbury's attacks. They combined cleverly to score Canterbury's only goal WELLINGTON MATCHES iPer United Press Association) WELLINGTON, June 9. Senioi Association matches were played today The grounds were heavy. Results: Petone 3. Waterside nil. Marist 3 Seatoun nil. Diamond 2. Institute 1.