ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

Southland Times, Issue 22994, 14 September 1936, Page 5

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

SOUTHLAND DRAWS WITH OTAGO

A FAST, EVEN GAME

A fast and even game between the Otago and Southland Association football representative teams on Saturday afternoon at Rugby Park ended in a draw, each side scoring four goals. Although the run of the 'play was even, Otago gained an early lead and kept it, and Southland equalized only in the last two minutes with a fine goal by T. McCormack, the centre-forward and captain. Not until the closing stages of the game did the Southland forwards show the combination of the visiting side, but from start to finish the defensive work of both sets of backs was good. A. Barclay and N. Binnie, the Otago full-backs, played steady and reliable games, and each saved his side from many dangerous attacks. R. McLean scored Otago’s four goals, and made the most of every opportunity that came his way. He was the spearhead of the Otago forward attacks, and the lew minutes that Otago had to play without him, while he recovered from a leg injury received in the game, made a big difference to his side. H. E. McKinnon, on the wing, H. Pay in goal, T. McCormack and D. Morrison played consistently well for Southland, and made few mistakes. Pay’s defence was solid and saved his side many times, especially in the first spell, when the Otago attacks were favoured with a strong wind. The teams were:— Otago.—J. Race, A. Barclay, N. Binnie, D. Wallace, A. Jackson, T. Bennet, N. Walmsley, F. Keach, R. McLean, H. Cullen and R. McSkimming. Southland.—H. Pay, F. J. McDonald, A. Batchelor, R. Kerr, E. Hobbs, L. O’Rorke, D. Morrison, W. Reddington, T. McCormack, G. Sutherland and H. E. McKinnon. The Play. Southland was on attack from the kick-off, and an attack begun by Reddington looked dangerous for Otago when McCormack tried a shot from a long way out. Race cleared safely and the visiting forwards took play into Southland’s territory. Southland conceded a corner, but Sutherland cleared and McKinnon took play well mto Otago territory. , A. Barclay and N. Binnie, Otago’s full-backs, defending solidly, twice changed defence into attack, feeding the forwards well. Southland was pressing hard all the time, and a good shot by D. Morrison went just outside. The Otago forwards, combining well, extended Southland’s defence, but A. Batchelor cleared well. A surprise move by the Otago men brightened the play and gave the visitors their first goal. R. McLean secured, put in a tricky run that cut through the Southland inside backs, passed to Cullen, and took a good reverse pass back from Cullen to shoot a clever goal from close in. Otago 1, Southland 0. H. E. McKinnon, with a tricky' solo run, sidled his way along the line to put Southland on attack, but the defensive play of the visitors was too solid for his work to get near scoring point. Otago had a brief turn on attack, but Southland came back again, with a splendid movement. O’Rorke brought play upfield to a handy position before passing to Sutherland, who gave McCormack a good pass. From a long way out. McCormack made no mistake with a long, fast shot that gave Race no chance. Otago 1, Southland 1. Southland attacked again, but a movement led by Morrison and McCormack came to nothing when Morrison’s shot went well over the net. A few minutes later Morrison tried again, but his shot was a second time astray. Otago attacked for a long spell, but the Southland defence was solid and the visiting forwards could not finish off their thrusts. D. Wallace, right half for the visitors, was consistently good and time and time again sent his forwards away. H. Pay saved twice from Otago’s attacks. The visiting forwards kept up the attack for McLean finally to finish a long period of attack with a good shot from close in. Otago 2, Southland 1. McLean proved his ability to seize . an opportunity a few minutes later, when he scored his third goal for Otago. A speedy attack by the visiting forwards was cleared by Pay, but as the ball rebounded from the goalie McLean came in with line judgment to head a beautiful goal. Half-time came two minutes afterwards with the scores: Otago 3, Southland 1. The Second Spell. Southland had the help of the southwest wind in the second spell, and good play amongst the forwards had the visi - tors defending. The forwards finally gained their reward when Morrison, from a long way out, succeeded with a well-judged shot that found the Otago goalkeeper out of position. Otago 3, Southland 2. Otago came away with a fast attack, but a shot by McSkimming was well saved by Pay. In spite of wind and rain, play was very fast, with both sides opening up the game with attacking movements. Pay again saved for Southland, but Otago was not to be denied, and McLean, securing after a forward tussle, made no mistake with his fourth goal of the day. Otago 4, Southland 2. Sweeping to the attack in a clever passing movement, Southland looked like scoring when Sutherland had a shot from wide out, but Race cleared beautifully for Otago. Reddington made a tricky run down the sideline that put Southland again on attack, and the movement finished when he secured after a corner kick and headed a good goal. Otago 4, Southland 3. Southland attacked strongly, but all the Otago backs were defending cleverly. The goalkeeper had a safe pair of hands, and three times in three minutes cleared well and over the closing stages, with a greasy ball and a ground becoming increasingly heavy, play benot be altered, the only change being that we will buy our supply in bulk from the Government instead of the Power Board. Mr Nash’s message on Friday assures us of this fact.—Yours, H. RITCHIE. Invercargill, September 12, 1936. To the Editor. Sir,—lt is high time that we had a change in the control of the Power Board affairs. Down here at Woodend we have only to get a slight westerly wind, and our lights go out (pop goes the weasel). I venture to say that during the past month our lights have failed on every occasion that we have had a slight breeze, so you will know with what regularity this occurs. Even as I write I am like “Wee Willie Winkie,” and this afternoon I have been denied the pleasure of listening to the broadcast of the All Black match. (Please note, Mr Carswell, the loss of revenue here.) Sir, under Government control Power Board failures could not be more frequent than at present, so my vote for Government control is in the bag.— Yours, etc., LIGHTS ON. Woodend, September 12, 1936.

came more ragged. Southland, however, was working hard to equalize and McKinnon was prominent in many good pieces of work. The Southland forwards did not relax pressure, and managed to equalize with a fine goal, scored by T. McCormack, who had been prominent throughout the match. Southland was again attacking when the final whistle blew, with the scores: Otago 4, Southland 4. Mr E. D. Dyer was the referee. THE CURTAIN-RAISER OTAGO WINS THIRD GRADE MATCH. The curtain-raiser, a third grade match between Otago and Southland teams, was won by Otago by 4 goals to 2. The visiting side had an advantage in size and speed, and showed better combination than the Southland players could manage. The game was fast, but there was too much individual play by both sides, and although the youthful Southland side was attacking strongly over the closing stages, the attacking movements lacked finish. Smith and M. Morrison scored for Southland, and Roberts (2), Romeril and Smith for Otago. Mr S. Gunn was the referee. MATCHES IN BRITAIN. ENGLISH AND SCOTTISH LEAGUES. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 6.30 p.m.) London, September 12. Association football matches resulted:— First Division.—Arsenal 4 v. Sunderland 1; Birmingham 2 v. Stoke 4; Bolton 1 v. Everton 2; Brentford 1 v. Huddersfield 1; Leeds 2 v. Charlton 0; Liverpool 7 v. Grimsby 1; Manchester United 3 v. Manchester City 2; Middlesbrough 2 v. Chelsea 0; Preston North End 1 v. Wolverhampton 3; Sheffield Wednesday 2 v. Derby 3; West Bromwich Albion 3 v. Portsmouth 1. Second Division.—Bradford 0 v. Sheffield United 3; Burnley 1 v. Aston Villa 2; Coventry 2 v. Plymouth 0; Doncaster Rovers 0 v. Notts Forest 2; Fulham 1 v. Chesterfield 0; Leicester 0 v. Bury 3; Newcastle 0 v. Tottenham Hotspurs 1; Norwich 1 v. Blackpool 2; Southampton 2 v. Bradford City 0; Swansea 3 v. Barnsley 1; West Ham 3 v. Blackburn Rovers 1. Third Division (southern section). — Aidershot 2 v. Wa'tford 2; Bristol Rovers 2 v. Northampton 0; Clapton Orient 3 v. Reading 2; Gillingham 1 v. Southend 0; Luton Town 5 v. Crystal Palace 2; Millwall 0 v. Bournemouth 2; Newport 2 v. Cardiff 3; Notts County 1 v. Queen’s Park Rangers 2; Swindon 1 v. Brighton 2; Torquay 5 v. Bristol City 2; Walsall 4 v. Exeter 2. Third Division (northern section). — Accrington Stanley 0 v. Hull 1; Chester 6 v. Barrow 0; Crewe Alexandra 2 v. York 2; Halifax 2 v. Hartlepools United 0; Lincoln 1 v. New Brighton 0; Mansfield 1 v. Carlisle 4; Oldham 4 v. Gateshead 4; Port Vale 2 v. Darlington 2; Rotherham 2 v. Wrexham 2; Stockport 3 v. Rochdale 0; Tranmere Rovers 3 v. Southport 3. Scottish League. First Division.—Aberdeen 2 v. Third Lanark 2; Albion 2 v. Arbroath 0; Clyde 2 v. Dunfermline 1; Hamilton 1 v. Celtic 2; Hearts 3 v. Falkirk 1; Kilmarnock 3 v. Hibernian 2; Queen of South 2 v. Dundee 3; Queen’s Park 2 v. St. Mirren 2; Rangers 3 v. Motherwell 3; St. Johnstone 0 v. Partick Thistle 2. Second Division.—Cowdenbeath 2 v. Ayr 1; Dundee United 1 v. Dumbarton 1; East Fife 0 v. Morton 0; East Stirling 1 v. Airdrieonians 3; Edinburgh 1 v. Raith Rovers 3; Forfar 1 v. St. Bernard’s 8; Leith 2 v. Brechin 5; Montrose 3 v. King’s Park 0; Stenhousemuiz 1 v. Alloa 2.