ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23516, 2 June 1938, Page 4

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

By Corner Kick

FIXTURES June 6. —Canterbury v. Otago for Jones Trophy. FLETCHER CUP GAMES With six matches of the first round in the Fletcher Cup competition played to date, Mosgiel holds the commanding position, having won all five of its games, and in addition has a game in hand to bring it on level terms with its nearest competitor, Maori Hill. The latter team has won five games, the sixth being lost to Mosgiel. As a result of Seacliff’s surprising win against Roslyn-Wakari last Saturday, this team now replaces Caversham for third position on the table. Through its win over Mornington, and the defeats suffered by Northern and RoslynWakari. High School Old Boys are fourth equal with Caversham, which, however, has played one more game. The remaining positions are filled by Northern and Roslyn-Wakari, with four points each, and Mornington and Technical, two points each, for five games played. The main match for Saturday will be the meeting between Mosgiel and High School Old Boys, which will be played at Logan Park, commencing at 2.45 p.m. MAORI HILL v. CAVERSHAM Making its first appearance on Logan Park since its promotion to the senior grade, the young Caversham side fell victim to a much superior side in Maori Hill, the score, six goals to nil, fully demonstrating the disparity between the teams. Although, the Cavei’sham players adopt a vigorous type of game, which they are fit enough to carry through for the full 90 minutes, they lack ability to control the ball, and also the knowledge as to when to pass or hold it to advantage. Their dash had the effect of unsettling the opposition for a time, but Hill was not long in countering this by sound positional play and passing work, in which A. Sutherland at centre-half set a fine example. The game was not as one-sided as the score would seem to indicate, as Caversham’s dash frequently took it within striking distance of the goai, but Taylor and Bayne were never at ci loss to combat the attacks. The forward line displayed little combination, the players for the most part depending on individual efforts. McSkimming, on the left-wing, appears to be a most likely player, but he saw very little of the ball. Truesdale. centre-half, was the best of the half line, the wing halves being inclined to over-kick their forwards, and failing to back up the line in attack." The big gap left open gave the Hill forwards every opportunity to move quickly into attack. McGovern was the better of the full-backs, and the injury to McLean during the second spell upset the team badly. Both these players were too easily dx-awn out of position, leaving the goal-keeper at the mercy of the attacking forwards. In goal Green had a full day, and whilst he had no chance of stopping the goals scored he brought off many good saves. The Hill team played well, and once the players accustomed themselves to the high-speed tackling of Caversham, they held the game well in hand. The changing over of Little to the lefthalf position, and Haldane to the insideleft berth, made a vast difference to Hill’s play, Haldane imparting more thrust and decisiveness into the attack, and in consequence, both Balk and Henderson benefited by a more generous supply of the ball. All five forwards showed to advantage, Henderson at centre standing out, and scoring four of the goals. Mills, who scored the other two goals following fine centres from Balk, partnered in well with Wadsworth. SEACLIFF v. ROSLYN-WAKARI This match was played at Seacliff, the ground being in a treacherous condition, which was against the playing of good football. The first spell was mostly in favour of Roslyn, although the score at the interval did not indicate it. Midfield play was closely contested, but better backing up by the Seacliff halves enabled the forwards to score on four occasions. It was well on in the second half that the home

side showed to advantage, when it took every advantage of the splendid display" of their full-backs, whose long kicks up-field proved dangerous. Late in the first spell Roslyn lost the services of Bennett, in-goal, through injury, his place being taken by Hughson, who kept a very safe goal. Roslyn made the mistake of playing too much to the left wing, where play was dominated by Anderson, who was playing at the top of his form. For the winners Rankinc, in goal, was sound, having no chance with the one shot which boat him. Ruddiman and Anderson set up a solid defence throughout, the latter being a real thorn in the visitors’ side. In the half line Scott was the best, and both in attack and defence he was always prominent. Ives and Thompson gave him excellent support. Of the forwards, Dudman, at centre, was easily the best forward on the field, his feeding of the wings on either side being pleasing to see. Ives and Montgomery made good use of the centre’s passes. The former appears to suit the inside berth. Fyfe and Henderson also did their share in the victory. For the losers, Bennett, up to the time of his injury, was safe, and could not be blamed for those that got past him. The full-backs. Ramagc and Ness, were sound in defence, keeping the Score down by good clearing kicks. In the mid-line Williams’s play was not up to standard, some of his passes being erratic. Smythe spoilt his effectiveness by playing too much in-field when a pass to the forwards immediately in front would have been to belter advantage. McCallion was again the best half on the visitors’ side. He played an outstanding' game, and scored his side’s only goal. Wilson was the only player of the van who knew what to do "with the ball, but lacked the support of his inside men to make his play dangerous. Rutherford and Stanton were only fair, whilst the wing players never showed up to the form displayed in previous games. Ramsay, however, was fairly starved through play being mostly made to the left, which on the day Droved a costly mistake. as the opposing defender overshadowed the attack.

lI.S. OLD BOYS v. MORNINGTON At the Oval the first spell of this game was worth seeing, both teams giving a much-improved showing, and the football was really good. The score at the interval—one each—was a true indication of the merits of both teams. After the interval Old Boys took command of the game, and for once this season their close passing was good to watch and brought results, adding five goals to the hill eleven’s two.

Old Boys were greatly strengthened by the inclusion of Chapman, who, although playing his first game, gave a fine display. H. Groves’s place was filled by C. Latimer, who also showed some of his old dash at outside-right in getting across some good shots. Smith was sound in goal, and Nelson, ably supported by G. Sutherland, gave hi.s best game so far. McNarey was very safe at half, but Beale has played better, being slow on recovery. The forwards moved well, with Groves prominent, but Romeril was crowding Bringans at centre. Agnew, the Mornington goalie, had no chance with any of the goals scored against him, five being scored from close range. The backs, although clearing and attacking soundly, stood too square. The half line in Murphy, Agnew, and McQuarrie is good, Murphy in this game being the pick. His blocking and coming through and placing of the ball stamps him as a real half-back. The forwards are individually sound, but lack combination. Schofield and Agnew are inclined to try too much solo, and what is required to make them quite a dangerous front line is a closer understanding of each other's gaipe. MOSGIEL v. NORTHERN Played at Mosgiel, this game provided the best match so far this season. The ground was in good trim, and a large gathering of spectators was treated to an exciting and interesting game. Northern is a greatly improved team, and held Mosgiel to a draw up till the last 15 minutes, when the latter’s forwards took command. Thompson, in goal, was uncertain in his handling of the ball, but the goals scored were difficult to hold. Fullbacks Anderson and Binnie played a fine defensive game, as also did A. Sutherland. Sutherland was always prominent in feeding his forwards, and had the van showed cohesion the score would have been very different. Gordon played well, but did not have the support of his winger and centre-for-ward. Young’s goal was a splendid effort, and when this player finds his form of the 1931 season Northern will be well worth watching. Mosgiel is not settling down as quickly as it should. Fine defensive work on the part of C. Skinner, Stenhouse, and R. Steven was a feature of the play. Davidson was a real worker throughout the match, and his goal was well deserved. In the second spell the forwards played with exceptional combination, and the three goals scored by Skinner, Rogers, and Steven were cleverly brought about. Goals are what count, and too much playing about in front of the goals is what loses the game. There are plenty of scorers in the Mosgiel forwards, as their goal average shows, and forwards should have a go at it whenever possible. JONES TROPHY MATCH The Canterbury team chosen to play Otago at Logan Park on the King’s Birthday (June 6) comprises a fair sprinkling of names well known to local followers of the game. McMillan (full-back), M. A. and A. K. Gordon (halves), Allmond, R. and J. Smith (forwards) have all represented the sister province in F.A. trophy matches, whilst the goal-keeper, A. Laing, although still in his ’teens, is regarded as a coming keeper, and his play will be watched with interest. The Otago team as chosen by the sole selector (Mr D. Hanlin) appears to be a well-balanced side, which should show to advantage on attack, as the supporting halves are good at opening up play, and with Hall in goal should provide a sound defence The game will be the sixth contest for the trophy presented in 1935 for home and away matches each season between Canterbury and Otago. Otago is the present holder of the trophy, and of the previous contests Otago has won three, Canterbury one and one has been drawn. The match, which is sure to attract a good attendance, should give some indication as to how Otago is likely to fare in its F.A. trophy match later on. Canterbury is likely to play Wellington for this trophy on July 9. CHATHAM CUP ENTRIES The council of the N.Z.F.A. has extended the closing date of entries for the Chatham Cup to May 30. So far 20 entries have been received as follows: — Wellington.—Pctone. Miramar Rangers. Diamond, Scatoun, Marist, Waterside, Hospital, Scottish Wanderers. Auckland. —Ponsonby. Eastern Suburbs, Thistle. South Auckland.—Glen Massey. Huntly Wanderers. Canterbury.—Nomads. St. Albans. Otago.—Maori Hill. Mosgiel. Northern. Westland.—Runanga, Taylorvi 11c.