TWO PLAYERS ORDERED OFF

Taranaki Daily News, 3 August 1931, Page 9

TWO PLAYERS ORDERED OFF

INCIDENT AT SOCCER MATCH. SCUFFLE AT THE GOAL-MOUTH; There was a somewhat sensational erliiig to the senior Soccer match between Albion aiid Caledonians at Western l’ark on Saturday. The referee (Mr. G. Lawrence) Ordered off the field J. Hill (Caledonian’s outside left) for afgiiiiig with him, and then J. Aslitdii (Albion’s left back) for holding on to an opponent. The match was keenly fought throughout, though up till almost tlie end in a friendly spirit. Albions, Wlio share with Hawera the points lead in the Julian Cup coffipbtiti'on, were winning by three goals to, two. Towards the) end of the game the pace became very fast and rivalry was accentuated, i’he ball flashed from one end of the field to the other. : Strenuous efforts were made to penetrate the defence at each end. The feeling grew tense. Thbn Bannister sent a short shot toivards Caledoniahs’ goal. J. Rae (the goalie) fell on the ball to save. On his failing to release it qiiickly enough, the Albion players crowded round him and endeavoured to kick the ball free. They considered the ball was still in play. At one stage Rae appeared tb wriggle several inches out of the goal. Some opponents tried to pull hiih frdiri the ball. A melee developed and almbst iriiffiediately wild pandemonium arose. There was shouting aud fists could b& seen in action;

In the mfearitiirie Mr. LaWrfence stopped the game And a moinbnt afterwards he Was seen, to walk betwech two men who,were about to engage One another. Another Caledonian player liad his arms pinioned to his sides by a team-mate and was forcibly walked away from the storm centre. J. Rae, in the. background, now on his feet, had limped to the support of a goal post. It was at this stage that Hill was ordered off.

' The grime was recommenced arid the majority of 22 players rushed pell mell after the ball. “What’s that? What’s that?” sounded a Scottish voice above a din of voices. Just then a gap in tne ranks, disclosed an Albion nian practising a hip tackle oil a Caledonian in the best Rugby-cuni-wrestling style. The plriyer on whom he was operating was Jackson. Ashton was ordered off.

Some of the Al'bibn players contended afterwards that at one petiod the ball was actually through the goal, though the refei'ee was hot in a pbsitiori to she it. Mr. Lawrehce said he had cautioned the teams before he ordered Hill off. There had been too much argument. Regarding a complaint that the niatcli was -continued axtfer time bad expired, he • explained that he had had to make Allowances for several intervals during which attention was given to injured men.

Itsis understood that the incidents re-, dating to Hill and Ashton will be reported to the Refferees’ Association and that their cases will be considered by the northern division of the Taranaki Football Assoeiritioh this week.