ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23222, 21 June 1937, Page 7

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

ENGLAND WINS RUBBER NEW ZEALAND OVERWHELMED SIX GOALS TO NIL (Per United Press Association) AUCKLAND, June 19. Following on its ov victory in the first test match at Dunedin, the English amateur " Soccer " team won the rubber at Carlaw Park this afternoon by defeating .New Zealand by six goals to nil in the second match. The score was not fully representative of the visitors' superiority, as there was only one team in it over the second half. A bright showing was made by the Dominion side in the first spell, the local players appearing to realise that it was hopeless to compete with the finesse of the Englishmen, and adopting fast raiding tactics. There was little between the teams in the first spell, and the half time score—two goals to nil-—was a fair indication of the opportunities received by the respective teams. Lacking condition, the New Zealanders were thoroughly outclassed in the second spell, and, despite the exhortation from the crowd of 18,000 spectators, the Dominion players were rarely seen in an offensive role.

The ground conditions were difficult, but did not seem to hamper the visitors to any great extent. In positional play and combination they were definitely superior, but their shooting showed unaccountable lapses. From a competitive or spectacular viewpoint the game did not reach the heights of the England-Auck-land encounter the previous week. In view of the interest the game .attracted, it was unfortunate that New Zealand could not offer stronger opposition. There was, however, some consolation in the brilliance revealed by the visitors. Joy, the tall English centre-half, was an adamant figure on defence and a brainy, quick-moving player oh attack. He seemed to control all the moves of the English team, and his aggressiveness, splendid footwork, and accurate passing won frequent applause. The second half saw the New Zealand backs and halves crowded in their goal mouth in a desperate effort to stem the baffling raids of the opposition, but their efforts were futile against the clean and close passing methods of the visitors. It was only that the English forwards missed a number of glorious chances that the score read comparatively favourable to the New Zealanders. The greatest thrust in the visiting side came on the left, where Thornton, a player with fine footwork and rare' intelligence, co-operated with Finch on the wing. Both these players weaved an intricate path through the New Zealand defence on many occasions. Eastham was a lively player at inside-right, and he opened up play with brilliant placements, but his shooting showed many errors. . Although somewhat overshadowed by Joy, the remainder pi the English defence r-was Impressive. Strasser, the full-back, and Sutcliffe and Lewis, wing -halves, were consistently brilliant on defence and attack.

Cameron again gave a splendid display in the New Zealand goal, saving several pile-drive shots, while Stone, who substituted for Haggett, inspired most confidence among the backs. His weight stood him in good stead against the attackers. Blackie was also good on defence and attempted to open up play. Sutherland, bustled byjhe fast-mov-ing forwards, endeavoured to establish some cohesion, but his efforts met with scant response. At dose quarters Jeffery tackled'solidly, but he seldom showed initiative. But for occasional onslaughts which failed to shake the English defence, the forwards were seldom noticed. In extenuation it must be said that they seldom received the ball at a correct height or angle, but nevertheless they did not Impress as an attacking force. Leslie wa outpaced by the backs, and the remaining forwards made little of the few opoortunities they received. Goals were scored for England,by Finch (3), Thornton (2), and Eastham.

.THE THIRD TEST NEW ZEALAND TEAM CHOSEN (Per United Press Association) AUCKLAND, June 20. The sole selector to the New Zealand Football Association (Mr A. P. • Neesham) has decided on the same team as played England on Saturday to take the field for the third test at Wellington next Saturday. The team will, therefore, be as follows:—Goal, F. Cameron (Auckland); full-backs, S. Cawtheray (Canterbury), R. Stone (Auckland); half-backs—F. Blackie (Auckland), A. Sutherland (Otago), E. Jeffery (Wellington); forwards—L. Wood (Auckland), A. M'Callum (Auckland), J. Leslie (Wellington), R. Scott (Westland). M. Kay (Auckland). / The team will assemble in Wellington during the week for training purposes. ENGLISHMEN ENTERTAINED • TRIBUTE FROM CAPTAIN IMPROVED STANDARD OF PLAY (Per United Press Association) AUCKLAND, June 20. A sportsmen's dinner was tendered to the visiting English Association football team by the Mayor of Auckland (Sir Ernest Davis), who is also president of the Auckland and New ' Zealand Football Associations. Mr Bernard Joy, captain of the English team, and a prominent amateur international, expressed pleasure at the improved standard of play shown by the New Zealand team. He stated that the games had become more difficult as the tour progressed, even although his team had improved with playing together He paid a tribute to the improvement in the positional and head play of the Dominion side, particularly on defence. "Up to to-day," said Mr Joy, "we reckoned that any ball in the air belonged to us; but this was . not the case in to-day's match. Your players, particularly in the penalty area, showed better knowledge of heading the ball out of danger." "The best means of continuing such improvement," said Mr Frank

Campbell, vice-chairman of the New Zealand Football Association, " is by securing a visit from an English team every four years." Discussing the financial aspect of the tour, Mr Campbell thought that the expenditure had been warranted by the lessons learnt in this respect. Mr Wreford Brown, manager of the visitors, said that it would be one of his pleasures to see that the visit was repeated. If the present tour showed a loss, he was sure that the Football Association would be sympathetic when it realised the value to the game of such a visit. * CLOSE COMPETITION THE SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP OLD BOYS AND MOSGIEL EQUAL The matches in the local competition on Saturday held more than the usual interest, with lour teams concerned in the race for the premiership. In a hard game at Logan Park, Northern held the leaders. Old Boys, to a onegoal draw, and Mosgiel, defeating Ros-lyn-Wakari by s—i, now shares the top position with Old Boys. Seacliff created a surprise by winning against Maori Hill 4—3, which puts the latter team out of the running. In the only game which had no bearing on the premiership, Mornington drew with Technical, each scoring two goals. The grounds were heavy and greasy, but the weather was fine.

POSITIONS OF TEAMS The following table gives the positions of the teams in the Fletcher Cup

HIGH SCHOOL OLD BOYS v. NORTHERN The teams were:Old Boys.—Smith, Hamilton, Sutherland, Beal, Chapman, M'Narey, Duncan, Ryan, Romeril, Groves, Cameron. Northern.—Dodd, Bennie, Anderson, Wallace, Buchanan, Sutherland, Latimer, Gordon, M'Lean, M'Hugh, Reynolds. Winning the toss, Old Boys took advantage of the wind. Northern, however, displayed dash, and Latimer hit the upright with a shot, whilst Gordon twice placed past. Old Boys' halves rallied, and clever combined play by the forwards had Northern hard pressed. Cameron missed a well-placed pass by Groves, and Dodd saved a shot from Groves. Romeril's failure at centre nullified several ■ movements, and a break-away by Northern ended in Smith clearing from Reynolds. The play of the Northern backs, Bennie and Anderson, was sound, but, M'Narey crossing to Chapman, a clever movement by Romeril and Groves saw the latter hit the crossbar and, before Dodd could get to the bounce, Romeril headed thiough. Old Boys 1, Northern nil. M'Hugh paved the way for a Northern advance on the left. Smith twice saving and play swung to Old Boys' right. • Sutherland was frequently beaten by Ryan and Duncan, whose interpassing had the half on the run, but Romeril's play was weak, and the defence held. Old Boys were playing the better game, Northern's lack of combination making little headway against the fine play of Sutherland, School's left-back. A Northern uttack on the left forced Hamilton to pass back to goal. Smith, coming out to clear, had his kick charged down by M'Lean, and Reynolds received in an offside position to score. The goal was disallowed. Ryan and Duncan came through on the right, Dodd being tested by Romeril and Old Boys were penalised for charging the goal-keeper. Half time followed shortly afterwards. In the second spell Northern continued to play with great dash, but Old Boys' combination prevailed. . A good attacking movement by the forwards was repulsed by Dodd saving from Groves. Both M'Hugh and Gordon were prominent in opening up play for Northern, but Old Boys' defence was good, and in another advance by Old Boys' forwards Groves gave Romeril a sitting shot. The centre drove straight into the goalie's hands. Northern's play still lacked cohesion, and. against the run of the play, Northern scored a surprise goal when a highkicked clearance by Smith was turned back by the wind. Chapman endeavoured to clear by heading out to the right, and Reynolds received to beat Smith with a shot to the far corner of the goal. One all. From the re-start Old Boys' forwards went through to Northern's goal, Romeril again shooting into Dodd's hands. Chapman, Groves, Ryan and Duncan continued to force the play, but Northern packed its goal and the attacks failed to break through. Buchanan was clearing well and sending up to M'Hugh. Latimer made a good run to cross to the centre. M'Lean failed to connect with a free kick relieved the pressure for Old Boys. Play was hard and fast, with Old Boys playing too much football, against the aggressive and sound tackling play of the opposing halves and full-backs. Northern was on the defensive when time was called with the scores:—

High School Old Boys 1 goal, Northern 1 goal. Mr W. P. Smith was referee.

MOSGIEL v. ROSLYN-WAKARI

Queen's Park was in a sodden state for this game. Mosgiel kicked off against wind and sun, Davidson missing early in the game with a shot. Making good use of the wind Roslyn had the home side defending. Rutherford crossed some nice balls, but wild shooting by the inside players lost scoring chances. From a goal kick, Stenhouse sent Rogers away, Nicholson receiving a pass to make good play down the line and, crossing* squarely, Davidson connected to head into the net. Mosgiel 1, Roslyn nil. C. Skinner and R Steven were prominent on defence, with Roslyn making the play, Rutherford repeatedly beating Paul at right-back, but the forwards failed to score. From a goal kick C. Skinner sent play out to W. Steven on the left, The winger, working infield, slipped the ball to Davidson, who scored a good goal. Mosgiel 2, Roslyn nil. Roslyn kept the Mosgiel defence busy. Ramsay, after beating Whitson by good play, finished poorly and a break-away by Mosgiel's right-wing ended with Bennett making a great save from Nicholson's drive. Mosgiel was playing better at this stage but good defence by Ness and Rutherford lifted the pressure and M'Callion put Roslyn on attack, Stanton sending in a hard drive wide of the goal. At half time the score was unchanged. On resuming play Roslyn was kept hard on defence, the backs clearing well until Davidson gathered in a pass to dribble through and place the ball beyond the reach of Bennett. Mosgiel 3, Roslyn nil. Roslyn livened up. Welham going close with a high shot which struck the crossbar. The defence finally cleared, and R.'Steven sent a long ball to Rogers, who received a return pass from Nicholson to score with a good shot. Mosgiel 4, Roslyn nil. Roslyn broke through, Smyth placing the ball to the centre. Mosgiel was penalised for handling Munsie scored from the " spot" kick Mosgiel 4, Roslyn 1. Mosgiel continued to dominate the play, the forwards displaying good football, and m Stenhouse lobbing the ball to goal, W. Steven, who had taken up the insideleft position, scored the final goal. Result:

Mosgiel 5 goals, Roslyn-Wakari .. 1 goal. Mr A. Cameron was referee.

TECHNICAL v. MORNINGTON Ellis Park was in fair condition, but a strong cross-wind troubled the players, and poor football resulted. Technical opened the attack, but hard kicking allowed the Mornington defence to clear. Fleming, in goal, was tested by Taylor, and saved well. In a further advance O'Malley placed well for Grant, whose shot hit the upright and went in. Technical 1, Mornington nil. In a spell of even play both goalkeepers were safe, and half time ended without further scoring. Mornington took up the attack early in the second spell, but wild kicking and failure to make use of the wind nullified the movements. G. Groves sent Technical away, and a centre from O'Malley was nicely taken by Chapman to break through the backs and score. Technical 2, Mornington nil. Mornington returned play down the centre, and Agnew reduced the lead with a low shot. Technical 2, Mornington 1. Technical's defensive play was sound, with Mornington trying hard for the equaliser. Technical forced an unsuccessful corner, and Murphy transferred play up the centre to Harrison, who netted with a low drive. Play ended shortly afterwards. Result: Technical 2 goals. Mornington .. .. 2 goals. Mr J. Walsh was referee. SEACLIFF v. MAORI HILL Playing on the home ground Seacliff sprung a surprise by defeating Maori Hill by 4 goals to 3. Despite the poor playing conditions the play proved attractive. Ives. Thompson, Montgomery, and White scored for the winners, and Gilchrist, Balk, and Roberts for the visitors. Mr A. Riach was the referee. IN OTHER CENTRES (Per United Press Association) WELLINGTON, June 20. FIRST DIVISION A Seatoun 2, Petone 2. Waterside 6, Diamond 1. Marist 4. Institute 1, Technical Old Boys 6. Hospital 1. CHRISTCHURCH, June 19. Western 4, Rangers 3. Technical 4, Nomads 1. Thistle 4, Y.M.C.A. 1.

eompetition:- ~~ Goals. Cup P. W. L. D. F. A.Pts. H.S.O.B. .. 8 6 — 2 35 14 14 Mosgiel 8 6 — 2 36 14 14 Northern .. 8 5 2 1 28 17 11 Maori Hill.. 8 4 3 1 26 15 9 RoslynWakari .. 8 3 5 — 14 30 6 Seacliff 8 2 6 — 20 29 4 Mornington 8 1 6 1 18 43 3 Technical .. 8 1 6 1 12 29 3