FOOTBALL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3315, 26 September 1917, Page 45

FOOTBALL.

ASSOCIATION. OTAG-0 v. A SOLDIERS' TEAM. A laxge number of spectators assembled at CulliiK" Park on Saturday to see a teanii representing the 31st Reinforcements try conclusions with an Otago representative As«_ sociation football eleven. The conditions -were ideal, and the match provided an attractive spectacle, with an element of amusement. Mr R. Brown was referee, with Messrs M'Callum and Milburn as line umpires. Tb* soldiers' team was not at full strength, but put up a very fair game. They opened wittt the advantage of the sun. Otago attacked at once, and from a free kick against th» visitors for "hands" M'lvor opened the scor« ing Almost immediately Otago agaitt crowded the soldiers' goal, and Shaw's clear, ance rebounded through, doubling the loosj side's score. Before long Brundiell added a third goal for Otago. Booker then rallied his men, who on several occasions narrowlyfailed to penetrate Otago's defences. local backs cleared, and ajiain the soldiera. citadel was assaulted. But for the capably display of Shaw in goal Otago's score would have been greater than 3—O at half-time. On resuming, the soldiers displayed n* newed vigour, and very soon Mason scor-sd with a capital shot. Inspirited by this <W oess the visitors plugged away, and £rt* ouently looked like scoring. Clements and Dickel however, kept Otago's rearguard toce+her, and frustrated the attacks engineered By Booker, M'Allan, and Simpson. Event* ally, however, Booker, from half-way, eluded \ the'defence with great skill and scored a spectacular goal. The fig-axes then read, Otago 3, Soldiers 2. Shortly afterwards Al'lvor improved upon Otago's lead with (another goal. A fine rush by the visitors just failed, and then came a penalty kick to The shot that was put in by James might have been saved by a less efficient keeper than Shaw; who disposed of it without difficulty. Just on time M'Allan rapped in a third" goal for the soldiers, and a pleasant game ended': OtftgO 4 goals 81st Reinforcements .. .. a goals After the match the visitors weTc entertained- at the Exchange Toa Rooms.