ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 21 March 1927, Page 6

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

TIMARU v. H.M.S. DIOMEDE. Taking advantage cif the visit of H.M.S. Diomede, the S.C.F.A. opened tho 1927 season on llussell Square on Saturday. The pitch was in perfect order, and the ground, with its freshly-painted goal-posts and wellmarked lines, reflected credit on the officials. Season 1925 it will be romembercd, opened with a game against representatives of H.M.S. Dunedin, who defeated the lccal lads 6 —l.

THE GAME.

Logie set the ball in motion, and the sailors, gaining possession, speedily tested Bclleriger, a goal kick giving relief to.the Black and Green. Early in the game it was evident that Timaru were in for a bad spin, for superior combination and training soon began to tell. Bird, the Navy centrefonvard, opened the score with a welldirected effort from outside the penalty II.M.S. Diomede 1, Timaru 0. The Black and Green forwards occasional !v broke through, Maynall being thein chief stumbling-block. On one of their rare visits, a misunderstanding between the Navy full-backs allowed O’Keefe to get at pot-shot at Stearns, the left winger making no mistake in finding the not, making the score Timaru 1, Diomede 1. From the centre the boys in blue kept possession, giving Bel- ! lenger a lively time, and the custodian earned a well-merited round of applause for bringing off scime clever saves. A visit to the other end looked dangerous. Stearns short-kicked a fielded ball, and being out of position a score was narrowly averted by Lamb conceding a earner.’ 1 The lialfaime wlusile sounded with piny in midfield. Diomede 1, Timaru 1. U'he opening of the second spell proved sensational. Rivers kicked over the heads of the Black and Green, and Bird scored No. 2 for the Navy. Diomede 2, Timaru 1. The Blues commenced tot bombard Bellengcr, the j

Black and Green defence, with the exception of McLellan, going; to pieces, and leaving too much work for the custodian. From a well-placed corner, Walker headed into the net. Diomede 3. Timaru 1. Faulty placing by the Black and Green half-backs gave their forwards little or no chance To make headway, Maynall and Co. breaking up any likely movement. A chance to invade the Navy citadel was spoilt by Logie hanging on too long. He was too well watched for nnv individual effort. A visit to Bellenger’s end re suited in Bird scoring with a. fast low shot. Diomede 4, Timaru 1. The closing stages of the game were in favour of the men off the warship, Hirers netting twice, and making the final score li.M.S. Diomede 6, Tim am

NOTES ON THE GAME

Although the visitors were superior in all departments, the game was interesting fre/m a spectator’s point of view. Well-timed passes, clever tackling and triangular movements of the sailors, playing tbo game as it is oft played by professionals, kept the onlookers from wearying. Bellengcr was the hero of the losing side. He does not Ir'se any prow-ess as ho gets older, and is always a tower of strength to the team he plays for. The game was played on a very friendly footing, the referee only having to blow- for a free kick- twice for one of the Timaru players handling the ball. It w-as remarked by a spectator who has witnessed most Soccer games in Timaru, that it was a pity they couldn’t have football like that every Saturday during the season.