ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12711, 5 August 1919, Page 2

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

CANTERBURY V, OTAGO, NOTES BY “ SPECTATOR.” c , Phe Tei ‘y close contest for the Brown Shield between Auckland and Cantarbiipw n lew weeks ago had the, effect of drawing another large crowd to Engnsn Park on Saturday to witness the .match -against Otago. At the latter end of last season Otago gave Canter-bm-y it hill’d light for the shield and only lost by the odd goal in five. On that occasion the constitution of the team was somewhat of an experiment, and with one exception was purely a colonial side. Although the visitors'did not win, the experiment was justified, and the experience gained, coupled with 1 1 iriclnsion of several experienced, players who have recently returned from active sendee, enabled the selectors to build up their team, and it was thought the side that faced Canterbury on , aturclay would improve on their previous.effort and take the trophy hack to Dnnedm. It is an open secret also that apart from the players tW -‘■ehes there were many in the Canterbury camp who were of the opinion that, e shield would find a j»3w vesting place.

Fiom the kick-ofl the visitors -made things very lively and a, determined assamt on the Canterbury goal was relieved by Bninclell kicking behind. The home forwards, howevei*, gradually not into their stride, and one of those pretty passing move merits reminiscent of pre-war days carried the.play hack to the Otago line, where M’Allen was forced to give a corner. Frickkton placed the ball perfectly, and Bowker “headed,” the ball rebounding 'off the goal-keeper on to the post and into play,. Spencer putting it into the net. Ine goal, however, was Bowker’s, as the referee had already blown his whistle before Spencer put through* This success was attained after five minutes’ play, and four minutes later I>owker slipped between the backs and shot well out of .Anderson’s reach. Otago then took a hand and for some minutes the Canterbury defence had an anxious time. Their failure to score was attributable to the three inside forwards’ lack 'of finish and failure to take advantage of the openings. On the other hand, the home team snapped up every available opportunity, and never hesitated to shoot, Amman’s goal being an example of what can be achieved with a first time effort. The Otago halfbacks suffered, in comparison with the Canterbury trio. Their tackling was at* times good, but rarely was an effective pass given to the front line. There is no doubt that Canterbury displayer greater experience and gave a more -finished display than their opponents, but the grit and determination of the southerners even when severely handicapped by three or four goals was worthy of better success, and had they relied less on individual rushes and more oh combined efforts, perhaps tho result would have been different.

Anderson, the Otago custodian, did hot impress one as a goal keeper of outstanding merit. Possibly an attack of trench fever the day before somewhat affected his play, nevertheless he displayed little knowledge in placing himself for a-shot and lus clearances were very uncertain, Dryden was the best of a, moderate half line, his. tackling being particularly good. Too much cannot ho said bf the remarkable play of Mitchell, the Canfcerbu ry right back- His kicking was splendid, and the manner in which he covered his partner, Flood, showed a sense of initiative rarely seen in local football. Flood was n’ot so reliable but improved as the game wore on, and he was doing good work in the latter stages of the game. A feature of the half-back play was the close attention given to the forwards. In tackling they were hot quite so solid, and Ensor on. the left allowed the Otago right wing too much room to operate. Doubts have been expressed as to tho wisdom of playing Dowker at. centre forward, but he . fully demonstrated on Saturday that he is quite at home in that position. Three of the goals were scored by Dowker, and he distributed the ball equally well on both sides. Spencer improved considerably on his display against Auckland, and at inside right proved a worthy successor to Bissett. His partner, Fricklcton, was a trifle slow, hut got through some good work and is apparently more at homo on tho right. The combination, between Wood and Norman was distinctly good and the former got across some fine centres. On Saturday’s display the forward, lino as a whole was the best that has represented the province since the .Brown Shield matches were resumed.

THE CURTAIN-RAISER. . Prior to the big match the Commercial Travellers played A return match with the Canterbury Old Timers. The. Old Timers again bad to strike their colours to a team which was out to show that their former win was no fluke. The 'keenness of the Travellers could well be copied by some of the senior players, and as an illustration it may be mentioned that Billy Patrick motored through from Dunedin to take his place in the team, and only arrived in Christchurch a few. minutes before the game commenced. STRAY SHOTS. . ,y V At a dinner given to the Oihgcxdeam at the Cadena Tea Rooms on . Saturday evening, Mr Brown, the teamV'manager, stated that the game was making great progress in Dunedin,, but tlis want of a representative game was keenly felt. He stated that six years bad passed since an., inter-provincial game had taken place in. the southern city, and that outside the competition matches there was little to offer the players. There, is, however, a prospect of a Canterbury team going south shortly, and Mr R. English, president of the Canterbury Association, is. mak-, ing tho necessary arrangements-

- At the dinner to the visitors Occasion was taken to present Hr W. Connor, a, vice-president of the Gfmterbnrv. Association, with an illimfinatcd addressoti the ere of his dennrtnro for Fiitrland. • .Mr Connor has been an ardpiit ■worker for the corlc and the. best wishes of Soceerites will go with him for ' a successful trip.