ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

Southland Times, Issue 23817, 15 May 1939, Page 4

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

WINS FOR THISTLE AND CENTRAL GAMES PLAYED IN COLD WIND In the McDonald Cup Association football competiton on Saturday wins were secured by Thistle and Central. The afternoon was cold and a strong cross-wind at both grounds affected the standard of play. At Biggar street, Thistle defeated Mataura by five goals to two and at the South School ground Central beat Old Boys by four goals to one. THISTLE V. MATAURA Thistle was much too strong for Mataura in a fairly fast and bright game, but neither team showed much accuracy iq shooting at the goal. Much of the play was in front of the goals, but repeatedly shots were wide. Thistle showed improved form compared with a week ago. The teams were:—

THlSTLE.—Ferguson, O’Rorke, J. Morrison, N. Morrison, McMurdo, Taylor, Greenfield, Crofts, McLean, Radka, Smith.

MATAURA.—CuIIen, W. Gilchrist, Ramsay, Smith, Russell, H. McKinnon, Doig, Hardie, J. Hardie, Jenkins, W. McKinnon.

Mataura played against a strong sun, there being a strong erpss-wind. In the early stages play was ragged. An attack by Mataura was successful after a few minutes’ play. A shot by, Doig hit the posts and on the rebound W. McKinnon scored an easy goal. Another Mataura attack gave Hardie a chance, but he narrowly missed scoring. Then Thistle took the ball to the other end where several opportunities were lost before McLean scored with a neat cross-shot. Thistle followed up this success with a series of strong attacks and Radka beat the goalkeeper with a good shot. Mataura forced a corner, hut Thistle cleared. McLean made a good opening for Thistle, but Smith’s shot was outside the net. N. Morrison was the next to attempt to score, but his shot was well taken by the goalkeeper. Thistle combined well and kicked the ball about in good style, making many attacks which were defeated only by resolute defence. Cullen was kept very busy, but eventually Radka scored after a shot by McLean had rebounded off Ramsay. The Thistle forwards were playing well and much of the play was in front of the Mataura goal. The half ended with the score: Thistle 3, Mataura 1. Mataura had a period on attack at the opening of the second half, but Ferguson cleared and Thistle set up the pressure again and McLean ana McMurdo narrowly missed scoring. Crofts shot for goal and struck a post, but he was at hand to shoot again successfully. Almost immediately Smith scored another goal for Thistle from a comer kick. Thistle had all the\ better of the play at this stage, but the attacks lacked sting and finish. Mataura made several attempts to score, in the final stages and eventually H. McKinnon, after several unlucky attempts, shot a good goal just before the end of the game. The final score was:

Thistle 5; Mataura 2. Mr G. Gunn was the referee.

CENTRAL V. OLD BOYS

Showing better combination in spite of a shortage in numbers. Central beat Old Boys by four goals to one. The Old Boys team again showed its speed and carried play swiftly from end to end of the field, but the movements were seldom finished. The teams were:—

CENTRAL.—M. O’Rorke, J. McDonald, D. Adamson, E. Churchill, J. Gorrie, E. Wilson, R. Ferguson, L. McKeever, J. McDougall, Robinson. OLD BOYS.—Crighton, Woollett, Cranstoun, M. Morrison, A. Garthwaite, H. Bennie, Bell, Maclver, Dawson, N. Bennie, D. Wilson. The game was very late in Starting, both teams being short of players because of influenza and the military camp. Old Boys opened the game with somewhat wild kicking, but soon settled down to play with aggressive dash. Much of the play throughout the first half was in Central’s territory, but the defensive play of Central was very sound and repeated attacking

movements ended without the ball finding the net. Central had a turn on attack, the ball going down the wing where Wilson centred to McKeever, who was in a handy position to score. Old Boys returned to the attack and from a comer kick Dawson put the ball neatly into the net. Central was not long in rallying, however, and when the ball came in from the wing Robinson scored a beautiful goal, the ball tipping the crossbar and slipping under into the net. Just before the end of the half another Central attack was successful, Robinson scoring a second goal. Central 3; Old Boys 1. From the opening of the second half play moved rapidly up and down the field with both teams unable to finish off attacking movements. The shooting at goal lacked sting and the defence was sound. Central had a chance with a corner kick and Gorrie tipped a fast shot to the goal, but the goal-keeper sent it smartly over the crossbar. At this stage Central was almost continuously on attack after a period of even and fast play, but repeated efforts to score were unsuccessful. Eventually, • a Central attack succeeded, Gorrie putting in a strong shot to the goal. Play remained in midfield for a time and the players appeared to be tiring. Several Central attacks seemed dangerous and McDougall narrowly missed scoring. The game ended with the score: Central 4; Old Boys 1. Mr T. McMurdo was the referee