ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16737, 19 May 1922, Page 2

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

SOME SURPRISING RESULTS

THE HEW SOUTH WALES VISIT.

(By "NESTOR.")

The Canterbury Football Association’s competitions were advanced another stage on Saturday last under conditions which favoured fast football, though most of the grounds were too hard for the comfort of players. Ashburton created a surprise by defeating Corinthians bv the only goal scored, after an exciting game, whilst "Western could only manage to draw with the improving Villa tram. NOMADS (3) v. SUNNVSIDE (0). The Hosi>ita! team sustained their second defeat of the season on Saturday last, when Nomads had much the better oi a rather scrappy game- The visitors outclassed Sunnysido in forward play and generally adapted themselves far better to ruling conditions. A brisk breeze demands shooting for, goal from every conceivable position on the field of play, and also long passing between the forwards. When the Hospital team played with the wind in the first spell the forwards entirely failed to make full use of it, arid the play of the outside wings was much too close. Their style of play also lacked variety, for the ball was transferred from one to the other with monotonous regularity. Nothing disorganises defence more than a forward who fails to disclose his intention as to how or when he is about to dispose of the ball, but in this direction the Sunnysido wings gave the Nomad ba?ks every assistance. Behind the forwards the teams were reasonably well balanced with the exception of the goalkeepers. Turnbull, the Sunnyside custodian, had an off day, bid he certainly should have more effectively dealt with! the shots which beat him. On the other ‘hand, Wilson, in the Nomads’ goal, was quite at home to the shots sent in and was cool and collected under any kind of pressure.

Just a little too much vigour was apparent in the game, particularly in the second half, and some of the players simply invited trouble by their conduct. Referee Davey was in a decidedly lenient mood on Saturday 7, and apparently the fact was taken advantage of* Nomads played most of the game with only ten men, as Grant was injured beforo half-time and had to retire.

ASHBURTON (1) v. CORINTHIANS <0).

Ashburton cieated a surprise by defeating Corinthians at North Park by the only goal scored, and on the run of the play the southerners thoroughly deserved their win- Corinthians turned out a full team, bat failed to strike anything like decent form. There is an old maxim which says, *‘ Attack is the best means of defence,’* but Corinthians overstepped the bounds of discretion by adopting what practically amounted to the one back game ijjpj order to strengthen the attack. It was inviting disaster against such fast players as Neilson. Devlin, Taylor and Dobson, who took over the duties of centre half in Saturday’s match, realised the possibilities of the weakness in defence and slung out the ball to his wings at every opportunity. The result was a harassed Corinthian defence which was run off its Tegs. Corinthians must look to a reconstructed forward line for its salvation. A right back like A. Bruerton can never make a success of the outside left position. W. Bruerton and Pilling have played long enough as partners to he familiar with each other’s game, but a chain of forwards is just as strong as its weakest link, and that was amply demonstrated in Saturday’s match. Ashburton played an improved game and from the way the team stayed out the match the southerners aro not Jacking in training. The fact, emphasises flie seriousness in which the Y\ nnrferers have taken up the game, and if enthusiasm counts for anything the < ode should progress in their district Dobson, Beauvais, Devlin and Neilson are players of exceptional ability in tlie Ashburton team, and they should improve still further as the season progresses.

RANGERS (5) v. LYTTELTON (0). Lyttelton were at home t«> Rangers laet Saturday, and ns an indication • f the popularity of the code in port some two hundred spectators turned cut to see the first competition match played in Lyttelton for some ten years. Rangers lost the toss, but the home team were given the benefit of the kick-off with the wind in their fa vou*. Showing fine combinaton, the visitors

quickly assumed the offensive and Morlev .scored in the first five minutes. Rangers had altogether the best of the game, Liddon and Barwell showing too much pace on the wings, whilst the combination of the inside trio. Norman, Morlev and Bisset, continually hnd the Lvttclton guessing. A spinal. Dowkcr and Mulearoy made a strong intermediate line, hut of the backs Kovner was decidedly slow and uncertain, and Lindlev has still to strike last year’s form. Tnpe in goal was not seriously troubled hut he handled what shots came along like a tradesman. The Lyttelton team have still a great deal to learn in strategic attack and defence. The outiscle halves were decidedly slow in making the Rangers wingers, and as most of the scoring opportunities were sent over from the line it was a fault which should b‘ marked for immediate correction. The trickery of Bisset and Norman repeatedly tied np the Lyttelton defence, and often left Morlev in a seqriug position, which was promptly availed of. The forward© indulged in too much desultory passing and frequently played the hall right to the toe of a Ranger full back leaving him ample time to clear. Individually some »-f the Lyttelton players gave a good exhibition, but they failed in combined work. The Portites must benefit from their experience of last Saturday and with a correction of such foolish incidents which led up to a player being sent oif 'he field by the referee in the second half. a. better class of football can be looked for. VILLA (1) v. WESTERN (1). A draw of one goal each with both team© fully extended is a game worth while, and the spectators at* English Park were appreciative. The game opened at a groat pace, and each goal was threatened in the early stages. The fast 'Western forwards were met with a stubborn, hard-working defence which, in turn, brought its own attackers into action. There were some bright combined movements amongst tho forwards of both sides, which had every appearance of a scoring climax, hut the ball was just as often cleared in the nick of time. Hoy made rather a had miss for Western in the first half, for ho 7111 1 the hall well outside with only Courtney to beat. Pliilps also just failed to reach a transfer from Ranson at the other end or Villa may have drawn first blood. With honours even after the interval

the pace became a cracker. From » fast movement on the right Marshall sent across, and Hoy, accepting, madeamends for his previous miss bv scoring a rattling goal. Villa thereupon stiffened the attack and after some fast exchanges, Woodford made a brilliant solo run through the defence an 1 finished by beating Andrews as be. liked. It was the finest effort of the day In the concluding stages of the game Villa, was given n golden opportunity to secure the lead, but with onlv Andrews to heat one of the forwards put the ball over the bar. Tt was the best game seen at English Park thisensou and a division of the points was a fitting climax. SOCCER TALK. The New South Wales representative team arrives in Wellington next Wednesday and opens the tour against ; Wanganui on the following Saturday, j Actually there are only eight AN el fib- ■ men in' the team. N.S.AA.FA. recognised that a particularly strong team | ir. required to test the Dominion’s best j team, so after gaining the consent of 1 the N-Z.F.A. it drew on the cream of J the Queensland players, seven being j included in the team. The last New South Wales team to i visit New Zealand came in 1904, and the visit wan returned the following j season* The result of the test matches 1 of the New Zealand touring team on ! that occasion was as follows: —First test, N.Z. won. 6-4; second test, N.S.W. won. 2-0. Third tent, drawn, 1 goal each. Tt may refresh the memories of old players to enumerate the New Zealand , representatives who toured N.S.W. in 1905. They were as follows: —GoalAf. Fitzgerald f\V.); backs—F. Newman (O.). J. Harrison (OA, A. C\apham av.) - halves—a. MicM’.emiss (O.). TS. j D. Jones (CM, T. Forrest (CM. J. Tay- j lor (AY. ) : forwards---S. M* Brown (0.1. < F. Hasher (0.1, H. Morrison (O.). A. Bisset (AY.j. AY. Afawson (AY.), AY. Forshaw (AO, Ah Chadwick (O.). Mr HG. Mayer (Wellington'! was manager. Alex. Bisset belonged to the AYellincton centre at that time. He is the only representative now actively- engaged in the game, and he still pocsesses the superb footwork which characterised his football of seventeen years . ago. I Lancaster Park has been secured bv | tho O F.A. for the N S W. v- South j Island match, to hr plaved on June 19. >

The colours of the visiting team are light blue and maroon, and the South

Island team will play in the Canter, bury colours—rod and I•»»'*i»Tt may 00 news m local clubs to learn that the ship':- company of IT.M.S. Chatham has presented a handsome enp to the N-Z-F-A. for competition between the champion clubs of each centre, under conditions similar to those which govern the English (England) Cup. The trophy wilt km known ,as the Chatham Cup. The C.F.A. Match Committee would lose some sleep if it had to do the work of the Wellington Centre. where ground for fifty-five matches have to he provided each Saturday. The Auckland Centre has secured the Domain, which will accommodate 30,060 spectators, 1 for the final test n\ateh. Provision is being made to cope with a record crowd. Writing under date. April 5, the London correspondent of tho “ Btar " says ; In the Leagues the senior honours have practically been won already by Liverpool and either Aston A’illa or Tottenham may be runners-up. Manchester United. Arsenal. Bradford City and Oldham are nil desperately concerned in the struggle which is taking place at the bottom of the table. The Manchester Club appear doomed and they will probably be joined in the descent to the second League by either the Arsenal or Oldham. The clubs with the best chances of promotion from the Second League are Notts Forest and Stoke, whilst Southhampton and Stockport County have excellent prospect* of going up as the leaders of the twe sections of the Third League.