SOCCER.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LI, Issue 16806, 12 August 1925, Page 4

SOCCER.

(By “Tacitus.”) )

Saturday's matches were, in my opinion very creditable displays of foot, ball. They were played in a very commendable, ' sportsmanlike spirit. The; margin of goals by Gisgasco over United (3 to 1) fairlv represented the play. Territorially, United held their own for the first 20 minutes of the game, after, which the result was in foregone conclusion for Gisgasco. * # ’■ * * A very good standard of football twas displayed in thp>match Thistle v.’Mercantile, TliisUe winning a lidi'd-fonght contest by 3 goals to 2. Had the Mercantile goalie been up, to his usual form a defeat for his side might have been averted. ’ This otherwise good goalkeeper might, in future look to groundshots. A very commendable feature of the fight put up by this team was the steady and reliably work of Hewitsoiy as full-l>ack. * * * * Woodrow well maintained his reputation as centre-half, and James also deserved well of his side. Hope put in a lot of hard work, but seemed to lack his usual good judgment. ’ Turnbull and Sharp combined well together on the left wing. Tf the former player had a greater turn of speed, he would have unset Thistle’s defence very much. Wamrh, however, did the right thing by hanging on him. 11 jbTiet requires training before lie ran produce bis best form. •* * to to Tn Easton, Thistle were again very fortunate, for he made many splendid saves in goal. It. Waugh, at right back* saved his side time and time again. .This

player cau use his head to good effect, which is a, decided advantage to a, fullback. McKinley at outsido right played a- good’ game. Some of his runs were a, pleasure to look at; his chief fault seems to be. that instead of centring the ball, ho is inclined to go for a score. He would do well to get out of this habit, and can. L am sure, produce better results. Wallace at outside right kept going at a steady pace right throughout the game, and put in a lot of useful work. Armstrong might improve the forwards play if he would, (after lie has drawn the defence) swing the ball moro ovev to : the left wing. This remark also applies to Duncan, at inside right. The last-named played a splendid game, and is worthy of special mention. The new right half was undoubtedly a great help to Thistle. This man must have played in good company at, sometime or other. He fed his forwards consistently and was also solid in defence.

The decisions of the referees in both matches were good. The recent criticism in these columns has not been without good effect, this despite the cbmplaint of “Well Wisher” that such criticism is valueness on account of its destructive! mature. Pope, surely an authority on the subject, says—- “ Fear not the anger of the wise to raise, “They best can bear reproof who merit praise.”

This fairly fits the case of that player who complained of harsh criticism, and who, by the way, played a rattling good game on Saturday. “Tacitus” will not hesitate to criticise anything that threatens the good repute of Association football.

I understand that the captain of the s.s. Waiwera team expressed the opinion that, Gisborne soccer compared favorably with that of other Now Zealand centres. With this encouragement there seems no reason why Poverty Bay should not ho represented in the contest for the Brown Shield. If it is not practicable this season, surely a, spirited effort should be made to ensure a team being sent from this district for that ■ purpose next year.