ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

Southland Times, Issue 23228, 17 June 1937, Page 11

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

ANOTHER EASY WIN FOR ENGLAND GOAL-KEEPER AUTOGRAPHS BOOKS (United Press Association) WANGANUI, June 16. The English Association football team was never extended to beat a combined Wanganui-Taranaki team today by 12 goals to nil. The game was played on a sodden ground before over 2000 people. The rain held off until the spectators arrived and then fell steadily throughout the major portion of the match.

The Englishmen led by five goals to nil at half-time. Their positional play and short snappy passing repeatedly undid everything that the Wanganui side accomplished. It was a treat to watch the cross-field tactics of the visitors and note how carefully each kick placed the ball to a waiting team mate. But for the Wanganui goalie, A. Healey, the score would have been well in the twenties. His performance was a remarkable one considering the fact that 90 per cent, of the play hovered round his goal. In contrast the English goal keeper had time to sign autograph books while play was in progress. The outstanding player on the English side was Joy, centre-half, who was never extended throughout the match, but gave glimpses of what he would be capable of if pressed. Matthews, the centre-forward, was the most prolific scorer, netting six of the visitors’ goals.

He showed himself a forceful player, his footwork and headwork alike being accurate and deadly. Healey, in goal for Wanganui, had more to contend with in this man than any of the others. Parr, outside-right, also played an excellent game, his cornering being soundly judged. Davis, the outsideleft, was also a sound player, but the visitors lost him through injuries in the second half when he strained a muscle in his leg. Apart from Healey, Whiting, lefthalf, and Proudfoot, left-back, were outstanding in the Wanganui team, which was never anything but a side of individuals. The English team never passed the ball to disadvantage, whereas, the home players would attempt combination only to find an Englishman ready to accept a pass instead of a team mate. Matthews scored six goals, Joy and Parr two, and Davey and Leek one each.

REFEREE STRUCK IN THE BACK

INCIDENT AT BASIN RESERVE

(United Press Association)

WELLINGTON, June 16.

After the Hospit-.1-Waterside Association football match at the Basin Reserve last Saturday afternoon the referee, Mr J. Graham, was struck violently in the back by a spectator. The incident was reported to the Management Committee of the Wellington Football Association tonight by Mr E. J. McQueen who represents the Wellington Referees’ Association. “Mr Graham was coming off the ground when he was struck by someone among the spectators,” Mr McQueen said. “This is the second time such a thing has happened to him. After the match on No. 1 ground he was struck in the back with such force that he lost consciousness for a moment and when he recovered he was in among the seats. The referees consider that something should be done about this kind of treatment. It always happens from behind. If any of the referees catch such a men he will be brought before a Magistrate on a charge of assault.” Mr McQueen said that when he had played and any feeling had been roused the players had made a point of keeping close to the referee as he left the field.