Soccer

Southland Times, Issue 19248, 11 June 1921, Page 10

Soccer

(By “Critic.”) Matches start 2.30 sharp. The opening of the competition for the McDonald Cup should provide some good matches to-day. Rangers (the holders) will need to get fit to retain the honours Lest week’s rep. game showed that we possess some players of ability in this province. The advantage gained in the second half proved the benefit derived under Mr Brady’s training methods. A little luck could easily have changed the result. The capable refereeing was a feature of the game. Some of the players stayed over Saturday and witnessed two of the chief games in Dunedin, which although in -one instance reads like a- cricket score, will be an instruction as far as methods of play are concerned for future comparison. Invercargill include two teams in the competition. Good luck to them. Captains of all teams should get their men into solid work. Southland put up a good game against Otago last Friday, and the northern team will have to extend themselves if they hope to carry off the dual honours in the return game. It is not conducive to good condition to be cooped up in the train on a race day and then play a strenuous game. Although the Southland team had been in training, it was evident that the journey up bad erased the edge of their condition, especially so in the early exchanges of the game. the second half with a deficit of two goals, which were early increased to. three, and to finish one behind was a very creditable performance and further goes to prove the necessity to always keep going. No matter how black the prospects of a victory' may seem, that extra little bit can clinch a game even on time. From a spectators point of view the game was exceptionally interesting, full of episodes that became thrilling at times. The crowd were treated to a variety of football which pleased, as shown by their enthusiasm. Otago play quite a different game to what we are used to here and until the Red halves took a tumble were getting a deal the most of the play. Their half-backs intercepted and marked in a style that should be instructive to some of our half-backs here. Otago s forward line, although comprising some clever players, did not get the results it should have done, considering the support given by the halves. Of the Southland side the two Cookes and A. Hobbs played solid football. R. C. Cooke at right full gave an exhibition of how a back can turn a stolid defence into attack. His tactics in spoiling several forwards, who when in a dangerous position seemed to have the goal at their mercy, was positively brilliant and judging by comments of several old Otago enthusiasts was a revelation to them. A. Hobbs played a sterling game at centre-half and in the second spell his footwork was splendid. Although playing un dcr painful circumstances, having hed a nasty knock on the elbow which paralysed the forearm, he was always a dominating factor and had hard luck with a shot that would have equalised. E. Cooke at centreforward was always a source of worry to the Otago backs. It was very evident from the kick off to the final whistle he was a marked man. His lightning-like dashes always had the crowd on edge. “Joe Brady,” in goal, proved a safe custodian. Of the shots that got by no blame could be attached to him and on several occasions he aaved well, one especially fine save in the

second half being worthy of merit. Buchanan once or twice showed- some of his old form and deserved to score. The very little inside play on to this wing lost several opportunities and Rudolph rarely passed out. A better combination perhaps on the right with Hendereon and Maxwell existed, though the pair, with one or two exceptions, did not seem to find the weakness in the defence until into the second spell. Howden appeared to better advantage in his changed position.. E. Hobbs seemed nervous at the commencement of the game, but as this wore off he improved considerably and his play along the left wing let Buchanan away, which on two occasions were deserving of something more concrete. Morris seemed anything but happy at the start, but he also improved as the game wore on. However, taking the team as a whole they surprised the Otago followers and if Dame Fortune had thrown anything their way the result could have been nt least equal. Considering the season only starts to-day and that a representative match has already been played with something like satisfactory results, it augers well for the followers of the game in this province that our next rep. game will provide something real ft) the way of football .