ASSOCIATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 4042, 1 September 1931, Page 47

ASSOCIATION.

OTAGO RETAINS TROPHY. FAST AND EXCITING GAME Supporters of Association footbalUand many who favoured other codes wended their way to Logan Park on Saturday to witness the challenge match between Canterbury and Otago for the Football Association Trophy, which the Otago representatives wrested from Wellington on August 1. The weather was dull but fine, with the wind blowing down the field, the playing area being in good order. About 3000 spectators witnessed the game, which was fast and exciting, and closely contested. Otago won by three goals to two, and thus secured the honour of having its name inscribed on the trophy for the

first time since it was competed for in 1926.

At one period of the game Canterbury had drawn the scores level, but Otago made a wonderful recovery, scoring the deciding goal about 12 minutes before time. In the first half, aided by the wind, Otago had the challengers mostly on the defensive, and with .the opportunities which presented themselves should have been at least three goals up. Otago’s left-winger was weak, and the solid tackling of the visitors’ defence combined to keep the score down. The challenging team displayed good football, but the Canterbury forwards lacked finish near the goal, and they were unlucky not to make a draw of the match. The teams were as follow:— Otago.—J. M'Dougall, G. Sutherland, G. Anderson. T. M'Hugh. A. Brown, W. Chapman. S. Duncan, C. Latimer, W. Hooper, T. M'Cormack, C. Skinner. Canterbury.—E. Barnes, S. Cawtheray, W. Kelly, J. Paton, A. Sutherland, A. Walker, P. Allen, D. Sutherland, F. Smith, C. Goode, L. Anstey.

. Otago won the toss, and played with the wind. From the kick off M'Hugh and M'Cormack returned play to Canterbury’s end, the latter opening out to Skinner, whose cross went over. From a throw in Skinner broke away, and his cross to Hooper was repulsed by A. Sutherland, who sent his brother away, the movement breaking down when G. Sutherland, the Otago full-back, cleared. Lively play followed by Otago, with M'Cormack opening up, and, amidst great excitement, Brown hit the crossbar with a fine drive. Latimer headed to the goal from the rebound, and Barnes made a good save. Hooper, however, smartly returned to the attack, narrowly missing with a header, but Cawtheray relieved. Canterbury was defending well against the wind, and Walker’s fine throwing in enabled Goode to break away, a pass to Allen being taken up by D. Sutherland, whose attempt at goal was cleared by Anderson. Brown led an Otago attack, Skinner transferring

to M'Cormack, who finished with a poor shot. Latimer and Duncan combined nicely in a further advance. Kelly cleared well, and Canterbury’s left-wing, Anstey. made a good run. the ball going out in Otago territory. Chapman sent play back. Hooper missing with a header from a corner kick. Again Otago returned, the ball going out near the corner flag on the left. From the throw in Chapman accepted a pass back by Skinner, and with a fine drive beat Barnes in goal, and opened the scoring. Otago 1 goal. Canterbury Nil. The challengers’ half line was effective in checking the Otago forwards, but the few attacks of the Canterbury forwards showed Sutherland and Anderson in brilliant defend*. Hooper received a clearance from Sutherland and placed nicely for Skinner, who slipped when in a good position, and Cawtheray cleared. The defence on both sides proved superior to the attack, although Skinner threw away several fine openings for Otago, which had been made by M'Cormack’s good play. Barnes saved a long shot from Brown, M'Cormack going close to scoring from the clearance, and Cawtheray relieved with a strong kick. From a free kick Goode and Smith failed to get past Sutherland, who sent well down to Duncan, a fine shot being well cleared by Barnes punching out. M'Cormack failed to score with a return shot. The Canterbury rearguard was holding out well against the sustained advances by Otago forwards, and, with Allen and D. Sutherland smartly swinging the ball, Allen centred well for Goode to head into Otago’s goal. M'Dougall cleared, and play , was again at Canterbury’s end, Hooper and M'Cormack failing to register

a score. Smith, the visitors’ centre-half, made several likely breaks, but these failed against the solid defence of Otago’s backs. Paton repulsed an attack initiated by Chapman and Brown, and Allen, Smith, and D. Sutherland came away on the right for Canterbury, when the fine work of Sutherland, the Otago back, prevailed. G. Anderson followed with a long shot, which went close. A. Sutherland, . the Canterbury centre-half, who was outstanding, gave Allen an opening, the winger’s shot landing on top of the net. For a time Canterbury held the advantage, A. Sutherland having a shot. The ball went by, and on Paton smartly returning a clearance by Sutherland, the Otago back, Anderson, conceded a resultless corner. From the goal kick Latimer ran through, passing to M'Cormack, whose shot Barnes did well to clear for a corner. The same 'player deflected a fine cross kick from Duncan, and from the resulting corner Hooper shot high over. Otago kept up the pressure. Duncan, M'Corrnack, and Hooper made strong efforts to score, but could not goal, and a breakaway by Canterbury saw M'Dougall come out to clear. The Otago farwards made a determined advance. Latimer held on too long, but Hooper, receiving a cross, headed into goal, Barnes saving easily. Play moved rapidly from end to end without advantage. A hot rally, following a corner given by Kelly to save a shot by Latimer, ensued at Canterbury s goal. Chapman and M'Cormack made desperate efforts to score, and, although the ball hit the upright on one occasion, a goal kick brought relief to the defenders. Half-time was called shortly after with the ecore unchanged. Canterbury opened strongly in the second spell, Goode sending on to Smith, but offside play by D. Sutherland spoilt the movement. Brown and Latimer led Otago in attack, Hooper missing with a header, and Kelly conceded- a corner to save. Duncan placed nicely to the near corner of the goal, and Barnes was lucky to kick clear. Although the visitors’ half line was forcing the play, Brown, the Otago’s centre half, repeatedly let his forwards through by heady play. Skinner displayed weakness on Otago’s left, following good play by M'Cormack. and at the Otago end a cross from D. Sutherland sailed across the goal for a goal kick. Keen up and down play kept the spectators fully interested, the fine defensive work of both pairs of backs being heartily cheered. Allen assayed a shot, which went by, and Sutherland cleared a further Canterbury advance, sending Hooper away. The latter missed with the chance, but M'Cormack secured, and, drawing the Canterbury centre-half, sent on to Hooper, who beat Kelly for the ball, and drove into goal, Barnes being well out of reach. Otago 2 goals. Canterbury Nil. Strong play from the visitors was frustrated by Anderson, a right wing attack -by Otago being repulsed by Kelly, but a free kick enabled Brown to place the ball to goal, where Kelly again saved the situation by good kicking. Excitement ran high as M'Dougall was forced to come out to clear from Allen, and also a further attempt by Anstey. Otago was now playing better than in the fiist spell, and in hard and exciting play was holding the challengers. A passing bout between Duncan and Hooper ended in the former hitting the crossbar with a shot, Latimer narrowly missing the net with a header from the rebound. Allen made a fast run on Canterbury’s right, M'Dougall punching out his shot, and on the opposite wing Duncan cleverly beat the defence and ran in, his shot curling just outside the post. From the,goal kick the Canterbury halves sent the ball well through. Smith appeared to be dangerous when he was tripped by Anderson A. Sutherland took the “ spot ” kick, but shot high over. Twice the visiting backs held up Otago’s left wing, who was too slow in crossing. Sutherland cleared from Goode, who was trapping the ball with excellent judgment, and Hooper receiving, passed out to Duncan. The winger’s cross went too high, the opposite wing having come too close in, and Cawtheray transferred to Allen, who again showed a fast turn of speed. Although Sutherland cleared the centre, M'Dougall was twice called upon to clear his goal, whilst D. Sutherland hit the post with M'Dougall out of position. Alternate attacks followed, neither side showing to advantage, until from a goal kick, A. Sutherland received, sending Smith and Goode away. A determined attack saw Goode score from a very awkward angle, the ball striking the inside of the upright and rebounding into the net. Otago 2 goals. Canterbury 1 goal. Hard, even play continued, amid much excitement. Hooper and Duncan were prominent on Otago’s right. ‘ Kelly relieved, and the Canterbury forwards came down the field in line until Brown sent play ' back. Poor placing by Skinner let Canterbury open out on the right, Allen being checked by the opposing half. Again securing possession. Allen dropped a high shot to goal. M'Dougall misjudged the flight of the ball, and Goode, coming in fast, goalkeeper and ball were bundled into the net. Otago 2 goals. Canterbury 2 goals. Play now became fast and exciting, the players of both sides strenuously contesting the issue. Eventually, Otago got going. Hooper opening out to Skinner, who failed badly, but the ball went to the centre of the field. Brown transferred to his supporting half. Chapman, who sent a long drive to goal, and Barnes, with Hooper in close attendance, misjudged, and the ball rolled into the goal, making the score— Otago 3 goals. Canterbury 2 goals. Canterbury retaliated with a determined attack, and the spectators were roused to enthusiasm as play hung in Otago’s area, but the solid play of the defence,, which had been sound throughout, held the challengers in check. Following an unsuccessful shot by Allen, Brown stopped Goode and Anstey in a return attack by conceding a corner. Canterbury, however, lost its chance of equalising the score through Anstey kicking over the line. Otago was holding the advantage when full time was sounded shortly afterwards, the final score being:

Otago .. ......... 3 goals. ■Canterbury ........ 2 goals. Mr W. P. Smith was referee. ; PREVIOUS HOLDERS OF F.A. TROPHY. 1926 — Auckland. 1927 — Auckland. 1928 — Auckland 1929 — Auckland. 1930 — Auckland. 1931— Otago. KAITANGATA v. TECHNICAL OLD BOYS Prior to the trophy game, teams from the Kaitangata and Technical College Old Boys Clubs played a friendly game, the former winning 'by two goals to one. For . the winners Forrester scored two goals —one from a penalty kick —whilst Witchall scored for- the losers. At the conclusion of the interprovincial game the Mayor of Dunedin (Mr R. S. Black) presented the trophy to the captain of the Otago team (A. Brown), and complimented both sides on the -splendid game they had played. In the evening the visitors were the guests of the Otago Football Association at dinner in the Rugbj- Hotel, after which several of the party attended the Wembley dance at the invitation of Mr P. J. Hackett. Yesterday they were taken for a motor drive down the Peninsula, and they returned to Christchurch by the midnight express last evening. WELLINGTON BEATS AUCKLAND WELLINGTON, August 29. About 2500 witnessed the “ Soccer ” came. Wellington v. Auckland, at the Basin Reserve to-day. The GovernorGeneral and Sir Charles Statham were present. Wellington kicked off, and Christie intercepted a pass, and set his men on attack. Kay secured to head the ball just wide of the mark. Wellington rep'led by a lightning attack on the left wing. Leslie secured, and outpacing Gerrard centred to Rigby, who scored from close in. Hanion secured to scud in a terrific drive which Zuill punched clear. Rigby, who was lying handy, put in a pile driver J which Zuill saved amidst greot applause, i Auckland retaliated by forcing two corners, > which were both abortive. With play on Auckland's right wing. Duilil (for- . ward' sped for the goal, but Blackie I outpaced ilullil and centred to Kay, who \ whipped in a ow ground shot which coin- j ph-t.-iy beat Eli. . | Wellington opened up play _in the i second spell by attacking on tue light i wing. Leslie followed up. and was on | the point of heading into go-1 when Zuill ; lifted the ball off the centre forward’s head i and cleared. A free kick to Auck aud ! just outside the penalty area was well I cleared by Ell. The We’liugton for- ! wards settled down to a long series ol , attacks, but failed to get past Zuill. who I was playing brilliantiy. Very little was ; seen o' the Auckland forwards in action. I who. for a considerable period, were with- [ out the assistance f M'Leay. who had to ] leave the field to secure medical atten- j tion. Wellington kept, up the pressure, j and Hau'on. front 30 yards out. sent in i a terrifi.- shot which flashed into the net I past Zuill. ■ The Auckland men worked 'ike Troians to even the score, but full time came with the score unr. tered: Wellington 2 goals. Auckland 1 goal. IN OTHER CENTRES CHRISTCHURCH. August 29. Nomads 2, Thistle 1. Rangers 2. Western 1. Ma l ist 6, New Brighton 3. MEETING OF NEW ZEALAND COUNCIL. WELLINGTON. August 25. At a meeting of the Council of the New Zealand Football Association tonight it was decided to play the final of the Chatham Cup between Nomads (Christchurch) and Tramurewa (Auckland) at Wellington on September 12. The Westland Club wrote calling attention to what was considered an unfair “ off side ’ decision by the referee in the Nomads Dobson match and recommended that in all future Chatham Cup semifinals a neutral referee be appointed, no matter what the expense. The recommendation was noted for future occas-, sions. FOOTBALL IN BRITAIN. LONDON, August 25. In the Scottish first division Partick beat Hearts, I—nil,1 —nil, and Third Lanark beat Ayr, 2 —nil In the second division Dumbarton and Brechin drew. 2 all. LONDON. August 26. ' In tire first division of the Scottish Association football matches Aberdeen beat Clyde I—nil;1 —nil; Airdrie drew with Motherwell. 2—2; Celtic beat Cowdenbeath, 7 —nil; St. Mirren treat Dundee, 2 —l; Hamilton drew with Falkirk. 2—2; Kilmarnock beat Queen’s Park, 4—l: Morton beat Dundee United, 4 —2. In the ■second division Raith. beat Edinburgh City. 7 —2; Dunfermline beat Albion, *2—nil: East Stirling beat Alloa, 2 —l; King's Park beat Arbroath. s—-2: Forfar Treat St. Bernards. 2—l. LONDON, August 27. Scottish second division results: —St. Johnstone beat Armadale, 3 —l; Bo'ness beat Queen of the South. 4—3.

THE LATEST RESULTS. LONDON. August 29. The following are results of football matches to-day:— ASSOCIATION. - First Division. Arsenal v. West Bromwich Albion, nil—l. Aston Villa v. Leicester, 3 —2. Blackburn Rovers v. Sheffield Wednesday. I—6.1 —6. Blackpool v. -Derby County, 2—k Bolton Wanderers v. West Ham, nil—l.

Everton v. Birmingham, 3—2. Huddersfield v. Grimsby Town, I—l. Manchester City v. Sunderland. I—l. Middlesbrough v. Chelsea, nil—2. Newcastle United v Liverpool, nil—l. Sheffield United v. Portsmouth, I—-2.1 —-2. Second Division. Barnsley ,v. Bradford City, I—2. Bradford v. Manchester United, 3—l. Bristol City v. Bury, I—3. Charlton v. Notts Forest. 3 —l. Notts County v. klillwall, 2 —nil. Oldham v. Preston North End, 2—2. Plymouth Argyle v. Port Vale. I—3.1 —3. Southampton v. Burnley, 3 —nil. Stoke v. Chesterfield. 2—l. Swansea v. Leeds, nil—2. Wolverhampton Wanderers, v. Tottenham Hotspur. 4 —nil. Third Division—-Southern Section. Bournemouth v. Bristol Rovers, 2 —-2. Brentford v. Queen’s Park Rangers, 1 — nil. Brighton and Hove Albion v. Norwich City, 2—l. Crystal Palace v. Torquay, 7 —nil. Fulham v. Coventry 5—3. Mansfield v. Swindon Town, 3 —2. • Northampton v. Cardiff City, I—nil.1 —nil. Reading v. Luton. 2 —l. Southend v. Gillingham, 2 —nil. Thames v. Exeter, nil —nil. Watford v. Clapton Orient, 2—l. z Northern Section. Chester v. Wigan Borough. 4—nil. Crewe Alexandra v, Wrexham, 3—nil. Doncaster Rovers v. Stockport County, 1 — 1. Hartlepool United v. Carlisle United. 22, Hull v. Halifax, I—-0. Lincoln City v. Darlington. 2—nil. New Brighton v. Gateshead, I—3. Rochdale v. Accrington Stanley, 2—2. Southport v. Rotherham, 3 —2. Walsall v. Barrow. I—2.1 —2. # York City v. Trannicre Rovers. 3 —2.

SCOTTISH LEAGUE. First Division. Airdrieonians v. Dundee United, 4 —2. Ayr United v. Rangers, I—3.1 —3. Celtic v. Hamilton Academicals, 6—l. Cowdenbeath v. Morton, 2 —2. Dundee v. Queen’s Park. 4—nil. Heart of Midlothian v. Clyde. 2—nil. Motherwell v. Aberdeen, 3—nil. Partick Thistle v. Leith Athletic, 2 —2. St. Mirren v. Falkirk, 3 —l. Third Lanark v. Kilmarnock. I—3.1 —3. Second Division. Alloa v. Bo’ness, I—l.1 —1. Armadale v. King’s Park, nil—l. Edinburgh City v. Queen of the South Wanderers, 4—B. East Stirlingshire v. Arbroath, I—nil.1 —nil. Forfar v. Dunfermline, 3 —nil. Montrose v. Dumbarton, I—nil. Raith Rovers v. Brechin City, I—3.1 —3. St. Bernards v. East Fife. 2 —3. St. Johnstone v. Albion Rovers, 7 —nil. Stenhousemuir v. Hibernians, 2 —l. NORTHERN UNION RUGBY. Barrow v. Swinton. 7—30. Batlev v. Hunslet, 9 —12. Bradford v. Keighley, 2—6. Bramley v. Featherstone, s—B.5 —8. Castleford v. Dewsbury. 7 —5. Halifax v. Broughton Rangers. 21—9. Hull Kingston Rovers v. Rochdale Hornets, 29 —13. Leeds v. York, 12 —8: Leigh v. Huddersfield, 6 —15. Salford v. Oldham, 5 —7. St. Helens v. Widnes, 39 —2. Wakefield Trinity v. Hull, 13 —10. Warrington v. St. Helens Recreation, 16—6. Wigan Highfield v. Wigan, 8—27.