ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 20041, 2 September 1920, Page 3

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

♦ ENGLISH CUP TIES, (By ‘'NESTOR.’-') The English Gup knock-out competitions were continued on Saturday last .when .Rangers A played their postponed match of thn previous week with Liuwood, and Sunnyside were at home to Rangers B, with whom I hey had drawn in -their first Cnp encounter. LINWOOD WIN. Linwood only mustered nine men in their match with Rangers A at Liuwood Bark, whilst the latter were at full strength. The Whites- naturally adopted the one back game, and tho whistle was very much in evidence for off-side when Rangers were on the attack. Early in the game Croft came into collision with Blood, and had his shoulder dislocated,. necessitating his removal to the hospital. Following on this, Rangers also played with one hack, _aud the disorganisation of both attacking lines was complete. . Combination was thereafter practically nonoxislant, and the game developed into a. scries of free kicks ffir 'off-side - and spasmodic rushes without any material benefit to cither side. The referee never gave the attackers the benefit of the doubt so far as the off-side rule was concerned, and this in itself should have suggested a Tendency to individual play. _ -Combination was necessary up to a point, but with the constant danger of off-side threatening more thought should have been given to solo effort as a scoring proposition. The first half was very ragged and disjointed. Tho shooting of the Bines was wretched, tho ball being repeatedly driven high over the bar, when a, low shot at half tho speed would probably have registered, Norman nearly opened the score for iLinwood in the*first half with a hard ,shot which struck the upright and had Perry beaten all the way. ■lhero "as no score at tho interval. The second half was mostly in Rangers’ favour, hut poor shooting kept the Linwood goal intact. It was from a corner kick by Rangers that Linwood scored the, goal which won them the match. Flood headed out, and Norman, gathering in midfield, raced away and beat Perry wit]) a hard drive lowdown. Rangers thereafter kept Linwood depending, but although shots struck the upright and cross-bar Hie Blues could nut equalise, and time decided in Linwood’s favour, Biss'.gland Norman were the mainstay of the winning team, with Graham and Flood excelling ip, defence. 'lnexperience in goal did not detract from Kirk’s display. He was very safe. Tho Rangers’ forwards were very ineffective, but Gordon, Lindley and Lowe played brilliantly in defence. SUNNYSIDE AGAIN DR W. .Following tho drawn game of one goal each of the previous week, ihc second meeting of Sunnyside and Rangers B created much interest. The match was again played on the hospital ground, aud the home team was greatly improved on since the first meeting of the teams in the Onp matches. Rangers also made two alterations which tended towards improvement. Sunnyside got busy in their quest for goals light- from the kick off, and Stewart opened the scoring for the home team with a rather simple goal. Aiills equalised for the visitors, hut Sunnyside assumed a two-goal lead in smart time through the efforts of Stewart. The Blues retaliated with sonic brisk wing movements, and P. Reunions reduced the lead. By tricky play Mills made an opening for Nowell who equalised with a close in shot. The rides crossed over with the score at three goals apiece. The second spell opened in typical Cup tie stylo, the half being slung about with excellent effect by both sets of forwards. Rangers iW-ere awarded a'penalty for an. infringement, by. a hospital back, aud Pilling gave his side, the lead with a kick "Inch found the corner of the net. The game now' became furious, and headed through tho equalising goal, following a corner kie.lt just before ’ the .sounding of the final whistle. Extra lime tvas played, but though boll) goals wore frequently in danger no further score resulted, and the game will he replated for the third time on Saturday next. 'j lie players of both teams played excellent football right throughout the game, which was full of me“it and played in a most excellent spirit. JOTTINGS. Western had their revenge fur their defeat in the English Cup tie by St Albans by defeating them bv 9 goals to d, on Saturday last. The Ramsay Cup (the Junior trophy) was presented to the winners at the conclusion of the match. the necessity lor linesmen chocking the time with ih 6 referee was. emphasised, last Saturday in the Rangers BS’unnysnJij match. The referee's watchslopped during Hie plowing of Urn, second spell and. he was obliged to consult his linesmen. Seeing that Sunnyside managed to equalise" just before

time- »' variance of a. few minutes, may have nin tie all the difference. The inlcrprovincial schoolboys Association football triangular contest ccmmcncos to-morrow (Friday) at English i’ark. Otago and .Wellington have sent particularly strong representatives and nvilh the local hoys in good trim some excellent football should be witnessed. , (Nomads met St Albans in the semifinal For the English Cup on. Saturday, Limvood play the winners of the Kan--gen . U-Sunnysido ■ match', width has been drawn twice.; i