SOCCER

Southland Times, Issue 21431, 27 June 1931, Page 15

SOCCER

(By “Spectator.”) One senior game was played last week. After the lamentable display on the 13th of the month, it was pleasing to see this match take place even though Rangers had to field a team not wholly composed of black and white men. Undoubtedly, if no senior match had been played on Saturday, senior Soccer would have become a thing of the past. Invercargill do not seem to have many supporters. Five meh came along on Saturday even though a full team was published in the newspaper. For many weeks now it has been said that the Invercargill club would field an' eleven, but after Saturday’s display it certainly seems as though this club will like many another deserving institution, fall into oblivion. The game on Saturday was a most uninteresting one to witness. Much aimless kicking was in evidence, while the passing and combination of both teams was woefully Weak. Of course this was only to be expected, as it was the first time the men have been on the field since the McDonald Cup match, and that was quite a few weeks ago. On Saturday the grounds were in a better condition than they were the preceding week. Several matters still required attention, however, matters which it is hoped will not be in evidence to-day. Although their play was far from satisfactory, Corinthians nevertheless showed that they will be an extremely hard team to defeat in matches to come. If Rangers and Central hope to secure the Mangan Cup they will assuredly have to work Very hard.. In the game last week the light blues did all the attacking and had play down in their opponents’ territory for quite u large portion of the game. John Morrison’s effort was a commendable one. Ho headed the ball past the goal-keeper’s hands in splendid style. This was the only point registered in the whole of the game.

Maxwell, who plays ‘ full-back for Rangers, deserves a little paragraph to Himself. He indeed knows what is required of him.

There were more spectators at Saturday’s match than there have been on any other day this season. They could not have been Impressed with the standard of Soccer displayed by the men on the playing field.. However perhaps if they are in attendance to-day they will be able to witness a faster and more interesting exhibition of the game.

There were frantic efforts to place eleven men wearing the black and white jerseys on the field last week. One enthusiastic official even asked this 'writer to file out with the “boys,” but- his offer had to be declined with thanks.

Only two complete schoolboy teams attended at the Showgrounds on Saturday, and there are eight teams in the cOmpeti-

tion. Who is responsible for this, state of affairs? I sincerely hope that the schoolboy competition is not going to be characterized by indifference and lack of enthusiasm. Surely there is enough sluggishness on' the senior side of the game. Last Saturday mo coaches had, as far as this writer could ascertain, been appointed, and no meeting of teachers'had been called. Those responsible should remember that the season has passed the half-way mark. The game between the Boys’ Brigade and Middle A was, as is usual with the schoolboy games, keenly contested. It was clearly shown in this match that under the tuition of competent coaches the boys will l make quite good Soccer players. I hope then to be able to announce next week in this column that these men have been appointed to look after the youthful followers of the game.

Until flatters become clear and straightforward it is impossible to say with any degree of accuracy what the position of the teams in the Boys’ Competition is at the present time.

Two boys who only need a little encouragement and they will go far in ihc game are Greenhouse and Mullen. The former player is a solid back arid knows the correct thing to do at the correct moment. This boy-learned to use the round ball at the South School.