SOCCER

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVI, Issue 21363, 5 June 1939, Page 8

SOCCER

GOOD STANDARD REVEALED The Cave Cup competition was carried a further stage on Saturday when Pirates met Old Boys on Russell Square and Northern met Western on Anzac Square. This week’s matches produced the best football witnessed in Timaru for some time both games being closely contested. The Old Boys-Pirates match ended in a draw, 4 all, Old Boys being fortunate to score as the final whistle sounded. Western defeated Northern after a hard fought game by 1 goal to nil. Western v. Northern Western kicked off facing the Western goal and immediately carried play down the right sideline with neat accurate passes by Mackie and Burning. After going close into the goal F. Stack relieved with a long kick to his forwards who raided the Western goal, Wynn had no difficulty in saving a shot by Platt. Play settled in midfield for a time with Western gradually nearing the Northern goal. A weak clearance by the Northern defence was trapped by Dods and from outside the penalty area he essayed a high shot, the ball striking the crossbar and going behind. The sound defence by both sets of backs gave neither forwards any latitude, at the same time the defences being tested to the utmost Durnlng next secured and working himself close in, shot, as only this player can. but High in goal brought off a brilliant save.

Northern came again towards the end of the spell, Platt playing a good game as inside right, sending Hitchcock away down the wing on numerous occasions. Hitchcock’s cross kicks to the centre were giving Western many anxious moments, and one attempt, a high cross shot went close to scoring The second spell opened with fast football on both sides, the first instance of outstanding merit being a fine save by High in goal for Northern Western kept up the pressure, Wynn the Western goalie not being called on to handle the ball to the same extent as High. Th only goal of the match was scored half way through the spell. Durning. accepting a pass from Dods, worked into the penalty area and although he could have shot himself pushed the ball across to Mackie who was better placed, the latter making no mistake with a hard fast drive From the kick off Northern lost the ball to the Western forwards who carried through, but Durning's passing shot was well saved by High. Northern came back again again, a free kick by Stack for hands missed narrowly. With ten minutes to go Northern strived hard to even matters and with backs coming through to the forwards and the Western defence one man short, play became fast and furious in Western territory. The defence held against the hot attacks until the final whistle sounded with the score Western 1. Northern 0. The referee was Mr W. Aitken. Juniors Pirates 1. Sea Scouts 1.