ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23859, 13 July 1939, Page 4

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

By Corncr-klch FLETCHER CUP The matches which were postponed last week on account of the wet conditions of the grounds will be played on Saturday. In the Fletcher Cup competition most interest will centre on the outcome of the MosgieJ-High School, Old Boys match, this fixture taking place ai Logan Park; whilst Northern, which fills second position on the table two points behind Mosgiel, are due to play Roslyn-Wakari at Ellis Park. Mosgiel, Northern, and High School Old Boys (the latter although weakened by the loss of G. Sutherland’s services) are concerned in the honours for this Reason, but at the same time Mornington, and Caversham (the latter having now acquired J. McDougall between the sticks) may upset calculations to some extent. FA. TROPHY The second challenge for the F.A. Trophy this season is scheduled to take place on Saturday, when Wellington, which is the only province so far not to have its name inscribed on the trophy, will make a strong bid to wrest it from Auckland.

According to a Wellington writer, youth was one ot Auckland’s major advantages over Otago in the trophy win at Dunedin, and it is therefore not surprising to find that the composition of Wellington’s eleven shows an attempt to beat the Northerners at their own game. “Wellington have this great advantage over Auckland; they possess a coach, Mr J. R. Sheffield, whose experience as a player in England and whose temperamen; and personality have equipped him admirably to instruct others in the tactics and finer points of the game. His advice to the Wellington eleven should assist it considerably in its battle for the trophy. 1 ’ It is, of interest to local supporters to mehtion that W. Chapman, who has had many years’ experience in trophy games for Otago, was not available to travel for Wellington.

CHATHAM CUP NORTH ISLAND SECTION

In the North Island Chatham Cup elimination games Wellington is the only district left to find its finalists. This, however, will be decided next Saturday, when Swifts will meet Waterside. In the Swifts team the exHigh School Old Boys’ player W. Chapman is filling the centre-half position, where his forceful style of play is proving of great effect to his side. On Saturday last the team outplayed its opponents, Petone, in a semi-final, to win comfortably by 5—2. Waterside, on the other hand, just scraped home by the odd goal in three against Seatoun, which in a championship club game the previous Saturday was victors by four goals to one. Waterside and Swifts have previously met in the local premiership competition, the former winning by the narrow margin of one goal to nil, and the result of Saturday’s game is regarded as being very open. Ponsonby, the Auckland finalists, is looked upon in the northern city as just the sort of team to win in cuptie football. Should it be successful it will be its third success. Bob Innes an ex-Dunedin player of many years back, is regarded as the veteran of the side. He already- has two Chatham Cup medals to his credit, and has hopes of establishing a record by collecting a third. Through an injury received in last week’s game, Ponsonby are likely to be deprived of the services of D. Warren, in goal, who played here recently against Otago in the trophy game. In making a daring dive to save a goal he is thought to have severely sprained the abdominal muscles On July 22 Ponsonby are scheduled to meet the finalists of the South Auckland area, and if successful, as expected, will meet the Wellington winners in the North Island final at Blandford Park the following Saturday, July 29. SOUTH ISLAND SECTION

In a runaway victory at Christchurch on Saturday Western defeated Nomads in the local final by 13 goals to two. An interesting fact is that the opposing captains are brothers. M. A. Gordon leading Western and A. K. Gordon the Nomads; whilst several of the players of both sides represented Canterbury against Otago in the recent Jones Cup match on Logan Park notably D. Mcßae. D. Souter (Nomads). S. Cawtheray, A. McMillan, and the Smith brothers (Western). Western will now meet the Buller finalists on July 22. and the winners of this game will play our local finalists. Mosgiel, in the South Island final at Christchurch on August 19. OVERSEAS VISITS In continuance of its policy towards keeping up the standard of its play by regular outside visits, Australia is at present entertaining a team from Palestine, which is proving a. great draw. The side is regarded as a well-balanced combination, possessing hngh individual ability together with splendid team co-ordination, and in the opening games of the tour has thrilled spectators by its attractive football. In the first test, played last Saturday, 20,000 spectators attended to see Palestine lose by seven goals to five. For next season Australia is now concentrating on bringing over a South African side, and at present the New Zealand Football Association is considering an offer from the Australian body for an extension of the proposed tour by including New Zealand, in which it is suggested that eight matches be played in the Dominion—four on Saturdays and four as mid-week games. Provided therefore that satisfactory financial arrangements can be

agreed upon, there is every likelihood of the visit to the Dominion eventuating, and a writer in the Wellington Post states:

“There is no doubt that such a tour of New Zealand would be welcomed by the public, after two seasons without a visit from another country. The tour of the Australian side in 1936, followed in 1937 by the visit oi England’s amateurs, gave a great impetus to the code in the Dominion, winning a large measure of public support and providing for local players excellent examples of the technique of the modern game. Since 1937 Soccer in New Zealand has taken on a new lease of life, and marked improvement is noticeable in the standard of the play. Just how great that improvement has been can be determined only by matches with visiting teams That is one reason why the South Africans will be welcomed if they come here next year. South Africa’s Soccer strength is considerable, occupying a position about midway between that of England’s amateurs and Australia’s. Although the playing standard has been to some extent depreciated by professional “ poachers ” from the United Kingdorq, Of interest to New Zealanders is the fact that J. W. Lewis (Walthamstow avenue) and L. C. Finch (Barnet), who were with the English team that toured New Zealand in 1937, were members of the team which visited Africa, and Lewis on occasions captain England's side. Both players won many friends in New Zealand. In addition. Mr A. W. Strollery. the trainer of England’s visitors to New Zealand, occupied a similar position in the South African tour, during which he received notification of his appointment as head trainer to Chelsea.” FOOTBALL AMBASSADORS Continental tours of English footballers have come in for much criticism these last few months. Many have argued that such visits should have been cancelled in view of the existing tension between the nations. Others have contended that the threat of war was an additional reason for sending out these football ambassadors of peace (writes our London sports correspondent). Footballers, of course, have no other function than to play football. But the 16 men who nave just returned from playing Italy, Rumania, and Jugoslavia have done a good piece of work for theu country. Wherever they went there were unforgettable scenes of enthusiasm. It seemed as if the coming of the English footballers provided an opportunity, after months of strain, for the people to express their true feelings.

The above is hardly borne out by the fact that when the English team played on Italian soil the playing field was fenced off with a wire-netting barricade, and in addition the players of both teams entered the field by way of an underground passage, which prevented them coming in contacv with the spectators.—Comer-kick. JUNIOR TABLES The following tables give the. relative positions of teams in the junior competitions to July 8. 1939:

No results—Y.M.C.A. v. Northern, played July 1; King’s V v. Mornington, played June, 24; Northern v. Mornington, played June 10; Mosgiel Y v. Northern, played June 3.

REFEREES* CLUB NOTES MEMORANDUM FOR THE GUIDANCE OF REFEREES 1. Enforce the laws and decide any disputed point. His decision on points of fact connected with the play shall be final so far as the result of the game is concerned. His jurisdiction egins from the time he signals for the kick-off. and his power of penal ising shall extend to offences committed when play has been temporarily suspended or when the ball is out of play. He shall, however, refrain from penalising in cases where he is satisfied that by doing so he would be giving an advantage to the offending team. 2. To referee well in such a way that will win the respect of players and spectators:— (a) Learn and understand every law. • .. (b) Be absolutely fair and impartial in every decision. (c) Keep physically fit and in good training. 3. Stop the game if, in his opinion, a player has been seriously injured; have the player removed as soon as possible from the field of play and immediately resume the game. If a player is slightly injured, the game shall not be stopped until the ball has ceased to be in play. A player who is able to go to the touch line for attention of any kind shall not be treated on the field of play. 4. The laws of the game are intended to provide that games should be played with as little interference as possible and in this view it is the duty of referees not to give penalties for technical or supposed breaches. Constant whistling for trifling and doubtful breaches produces bad feeling and loss of temper on the part of the players and spoils the pleasure of spectators 5. When cautioning a player, call nim by or require his name, and plainly state that if he is again considered to be guilty of ungentlemanly behaviour he will be ordered off the field. Referees must use their powers to the utmost to suppress rough play and ungentlemanly conduct. Too often the referee is satisfied by ordering a free kick, and the infringements persist throughout the game. Referees are reminded, and required, to exercise strictly the powers given them. 6 The duty of referees is to administer justice fairly and fearlessly. A firm controlling hand in the opening minutes of a game will prove invaluable to all concerned. It will indicate that a rigid control is possible by the referee: be apparent to players that unfair play will not be tolerated: and obtain from them and spectators the respect which is due. The main laws of the game have now been discussed, and once again the writer invites any questions on any law from players nr spectators.

Second Division P. W. , L. Dr. Cup Pts. Maori Hill .. 9 4 2 3 11 Mosgiel .. 8 4 2 2 10 9 Technical .. 7 3 1 3 Northern .. . • 8 3 3 2 8 Caversham . • .. 6 3 2 1 7 Old Boys .. .. 8 3 4 1 7 University .. .. 8 1 7 0 2 No result Caversham V. Mosgiel, played June 3. Third Division P. W. L. Dr. Cup Pts. Momington 7 5 1 1 11 Northern .. 7 5 2 0 10 Caversham .. 7 4 2 1 9 Training College 7 2 4 1 5 Old Boys .. .. 7 2 5 0 4 Mosgiel .. • • 7 1 5 1 , 3 Fourth Division P. W. L. Dr. Cup Pts. Caversham .. .. 8 7 1 0 14 . Momington 7 5 2 0 1' 10 9 High School 7 4 2 Technical .. .. 7 1 6 0 2 1 Northern .. .. 7 0 6 1 Fifth Division P. W. L. Dr. Cup Pts. Mosgiel Y .. 8 6 2 0 12 Roslyn-Wakari .. 8 5 3 0 10 Northern .. .. 8 3 4 1 7 King’s H.S. II .. 6 0 5 1 1 Sixth Division P. W. L. Dr. Cup Pts. Y.M.C.A 7 7 0 0 14 Momington 6 4 1 1 9 Mosgiel Y .. 7 3 3 1 7 High School IV .. 7 2 5 0 4 Northern .. . - 5 1 4 0 2 King’s H.S. V .. 6 1 5 0 2