ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

Taranaki Daily News, 17 September 1934, Page 12

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

TRIANGULAR CUP CONTEST

TARANAKI DEFEATS WANGANUI.

A BALL THAT DISLIKED THE NET.

The match between Wanganui and Taranaki senior Association football representatives at Western. Park, New Plymouth, on Saturday was chiefly distinguished for the number of shots that missed the nets. The game, which was played after the Pakeha v. Maori Rugby League match, was drawn, two goals each, Taranaki thus retaining the triangular cup for the season after having beaten Wanganui at Wanganui recently. Taranaki probably had most of the territorial advantage in a fairly fast contest, but the forwards failed to shoot the goals home from numerous opportunities. Qne reason nd doubt was weaknesses in the forward line, but another was said to be that the ball used was lighter than usual and was thus more easily affected by the southerly wind. In fact, one goal against Taranaki was caused by a sudden vagary of the wind. The visitors combined to form a trim team, but they, too, were troubled by a ball inclined to rise without provocation. They played a good game, nevertheless, On the day a draw was a fair finish, though before the equalising goal was made it did seem that Taranaki was beaten. J. Collingwood was the outstanding player for Taranaki and J. Atkinson was an efficient goalkeeper. The teams were:—

Taranaki: J. Atkinson, J. McKay, C. Henderson, J. Crawford, V. Parkinson, (captain), J. Thomson, J. Hill, J. Wilson, P. Gardner, L. Henderson, J. Collingwood.

Wanganui: Walker, Duke, Crumbley (Captain), Robinson, O, Wilson, Kidd, Quinn, Meikle, Heath, Dashfield, Killeen. Taranaki kicked off, immediately to set up an attack. Crumbley cleared, to send his men away, and Heath shot over the bar. Thomson, at the other end, failed similarly and later Wilson tested Walker. Wanganui cleared to Quinn, who put in a good run to shoot, McKay heading clear. The visitors continued to press, Heath running down the centre to send a wide shot. Hill received from a throw-in by Thomson and centred to Gardner, who forced a corner. Hills kick was cleared. A sudden movement by Wanganui gave Heath a splendid run, beating several men to hit, the crossbar. The visiting forwards crowded the net and Kidd tested Atkinson. Parkinson placed his men on attack and passed to Collingwood, who centred to Gardner, who tested Walker with a splendid shot. From a midfield position Parkinson headed Io Wilson, who turned to shoot. Walker clearing; Collingwood, who was playing well, crossed Io Wilson, whose shot was cleared. Taranaki was kept in an aggressive position by Parkinson, whose pass went to Wilson; Wilson’s shot wont over the top. Robinson centred to Heath, who kicked up for McKay to clear. Robinson again placed the ball to the centre and Heath, dribbling up. beat the opposition to shoot Wanganui's first goal. Collingwood was again responsible for placing Taranaki on (he attack. He centred to Gardner, Io Wilson. Io Parkinson, whose shot grazed the post. D. Wilson placed Wanganui on the attack. sending to Kidd, to Heath, who dribbled on and passed Io Killeen, who forced McKay to concede a corner, the kick from which was cleared, Parkinson passed to Collingwood, who, continuing his good game, crossed to Gardner, to Wilson, whose shot was cleared, but was returned by Parkinson with a high shot. There was an exciting moment when Collingwood crossed to Gardner, whose shot, close in, was saved in the goalmouth; Wilson rushed in. attempting to take the ball from Walker's toe, but Crumbley and Duke came back to clear. At the other end O. Wilson passed io Killeen, whose centre was missed by Heath, but was shot in from the other wing to McKay to make a fine clearance.

In the second spell Meikle tested Walker and Heath came in to complete what appeared to be a certain goal, but a penalty for "hands” saved the situation

for Wanganui. At the other end Collingwood crossed to Parkinson, whose shot, from a good position, was high. Taranaki maintained pressure, several attempts to goal via Hill, Gardner and Wilson being frustrated. A brief rally by Wanganui was turned and play travelled fast upfield to Hill, Gardner and L. Henderson, the last-named’s fast .shot grazing the top-bar. Wanganui was placed on the attack by Kidd, who centred to Heath; Heath sent a shot from 25 yards out, for Atkinson to make a good save, to be followed by another good clearance when O. Wilson ran jn to complete. Coming to the attack again, the Taranaki forwards executed several good movements, but fate, or an unusually light ball, seemed against them, two shots by Hill and one by Wilson being high. Henderson, Gardner and Wilson were associated in an attack that appeared certain to end in a score, but Wilson, who sent a great shot against the bar, was offside. Wanganui went through and Heath sent a hot one for Atkinson to save; Dashfield testing the goalie again from the rebound. L. Henderson centred to Wilson and again Taranaki’s bad luck held, Wilson’s short kick going high. Wanganui’s second goal was from a lobbing shot by O. Wilson, standing just iriside half-way; it appeared that Atkinsdn thought the ball would pass over the bar for he stood and waited, but, instead, it entered the top comer of the net. At the other end, J. Wilson and Gardner disputed possession with Crumbley and Duke. Gardner received and added another frustrated shot to Taranaki’s total. Hill placed a splendid cross iii th? goal-mouth, Walker attempting to clear, but Collingwood rushed in to complete and give Taranaki its first goal. Heath went through to test Atkinson. Another save by Atkinson from Meikle was followed by a change of venue, with Parkinson in the van. Parkinson was charged by O. Wilson, but the ball went on to Collingwood, who placed a splendid equalising goal. Play became much faster when Wanganui rushed to the other end, where Atkinson made a fine save from Heath. A minute or so later the final whistle sounded with the score: Taranaki 2 Wanganui 2 Mr. G. E. Roper was the referee.

CUP GIVEN BY MR. H. E. LAWRENCE

BOTH TEAMS ENTERTAINED. , (

After the match the teams were the guests of the Taranaki Football Association at a 'dinner at The Ritz tearoom. Mr. J. W. Hollows, who presided, welcomed the visitors. It was unfortunate, he said, that Manawatu had not been able to take part in the competition this year, even though it meant less travelling for the contesting teams, and it was to be hoped an entry would again’ be received 'from Palmerston North next year. Commenting on. the match that day, Mr. Hollows said it had been played in a fine spirit, and was a good game, though both Wanganui and Taranaki had left their shooting boots at home. Mr. Hollows expressed regret at the absence of Mr. H. E. Lawrence, Wanganui, who had presented the cup for the inter-pro-vincial triangular contest. Mr. V. Parkinson, captain of the Taranaki team, blamed .the ball used as a factor responsible for a large number of the shots that went over tire crossbar. Both goals had narrow escapes, he said, and he considered a draw was a fair judgment of the game. Mr. J. Crumbley, manager and captain of the visitors, said it was always a pleasure to play against Taranaki because of the sporting spirit of the games. He thought that the result that day was a fair indication of the merits of the teams. On beltelf of the Wanganui Football Association, Mr. Crumbley presented Mr. Parkinson with Mr. Lawrence’s cup and congratulated the team on being the first to win the trophy. Mr. Parkinson replied briefly. Mr. Hollows complimented Mr. G. E. Roper on the way he had refereed the game. Mr. Roper, in his reply, emphasised the need to play the game in the right spirit if the code were to make progress. In the evening the visitors were the guests of the Taranaki Football Association at a dance held in the workers’ Hall. Messrs AV. Johnston and V. Upshall were masters of ceremonies. The

music was played by Smith’s Regal Band. Supper was served by a women’s committee. During the dance the Mayor (Mr. E. R. C. Gilmour) extended a welcome to the Wanganui visitors and presented the following trophies won in club competitions this season: —Julian Cup and Duff Rose Bowl, Stratford Club (represented by Mr. H. Millar); Priest Shield for six-a-side tournament, Moturoa Club (Mr. J. Hill, captain). TEAM TO PLAY AUCKLAND. TARANAKI PLAYERS SELECTED. The following team has been selected by Messrs. J. W. Hollows and N. Bremer to represent the Taranaki Football Association against Auckland at Auckland next Saturday:—H. Millar (Stratford), C. Henderson (Stratford), J. McKay (Moturoa), L. Henderson (Stratford), V. Parkinson (Albion), J. Thomson (Moturoa), J. Collingwood (Waitara), J. Crawford (Moturoa), P. Gardner (Moturoa), J. Wilson (Waitara), J. Hill (Moturoa); reserves, H. Johns and J. Anderson (both Moturoa). Players not available have been requested to notify the selectors immediately. The Auckland selected frdm senior players who have been secondary school representatives, will bo chosen from the following: Cowie, Haggett, R. Stdne, Hayward, Chapman (captain), Barry, Robinson (Abels), Blackie, McClusky, Marvin, Mullane, Francis. - AUCKLAND THISTLE WINS. CHATHAM CUP FINAL GAME. Auckland Thistle 2 beat Christchurch Thistle 1 in the Chatham Cup final. Other senior games resulted:—Falcon Cup, Eastern Suburbs 6 beat Mount Al- ■ bert Grammar 0.8. 1, Ponsonby 2 beat / Y.M.C.A. 0. CHRISTCHURCH RESULTS. Rangers 4 beat Linwood 2. St. Albans 2 beat Western 1.