ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12687, 8 July 1919, Page 2

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

SATURDAY’S GAMES. NOTES BY "SPECTATOR.” The second round of the League competitions, which commenced on Saturday, produced some excellent football, and the spectators who assembled at English Park to watch the encounter between Linwood and Nomads were quite satisfied with the afternoon’s football. In their first match with Nomads Linwood had the better of the argument and won by three goals to one, lint since then Nomads have gradually built up their team, and it was a much improved side that met the leaders of the competition on Saturday. LINWOOD v. NOMADS.

Linwood were greatly handicapped by the absence of Dowker at centre halt. Had he been available the result might have gone in favour of Linwood. The element of luck which is so often the deciding factor in all kinds of sport was very prominent on Saturday, and Linwood bad its full share. Be it said to their credit, however, that in spite of the disorganisation of their defence they played a splendid uphill game, and never gave up hope of securing the major points. Nomads were decidedly the better team, and, lor three parts of the game were the aggressors. The half-backs were a solid trio and played well to their forwards. The forwards, especially |tho inside trio, appeared ‘ £ nervy ” and over eager to score goals, the result being th;>. numerous chances were thrown away. They were unfortunate, too, at finding Bennett at the top of his form, other? wise several of the shots at goal must have registered. In the second half of the game YYood had the best chance of scoring in the match, when from about six yards out he had only Bennett to beat, but the goal-keeper seeme.,, ku fascinate him, and bo missed. All the goals were " easy,” Spencer securing the two for Nomads from very Short range, whilst Parlett misjudged two dropping shots, which enabled Linwood to divide the points. At cortain periods the game became very willing, but although fouls were fairly frequent. the referee kept the players well under control and never allowed an infringement to go unpenalised. The Linwood forwards suffered’ from lack of support from the half-backs and neither Norman nor Bissett was really dangerous. . Harris, who was piaying m Dowker’s place at centrehalf, found the task of holding the Nomads centre as much as he could manage, and did nob feed his forwards as freqeuntly ns he should have done Ensqr, however, played his customary consistent game, and very few of his passes went astray. Kirk played Ins Si g V n ° thls x*, 13011 - In tlle first spbll he operated a,t left half, and tackled With fine judgment. In the second half he went hack to his old position at outside left., and for the remainder of the game was really the most 'dangerous forward in the line. Flood made amends for his somewhat poor game in.the “rep.”' match by putting > up a fine display at left back. Unrmg the last twenty minutes of the matoh be was the mainstay of the' team and-tackled with spendid judg-i ment- , Behind him Bennett was iu3 vincible. AH sorts of shote wete dealt, with in a, manner reminiscent of - his form a. few seasons ago. . Nomads started the game with Parsons playing at right half, but 6n changing .ends ho went up to centre forward, Spooner taking his nlaee if is hard to understand whv the change was made, as Snootier is a more forceful centre than Parsons, and a better shot. I lie latter was not a success in cither position;on .Saturday. Grant and ..Woods played well together on the