Association Football Notes

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17080, 29 June 1923, Page 9

Association Football Notes

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"NESTOR”

?laying conditions were very unfavourable for the opening of the ! second round of the Canterbury Footbail Association’s first-grade competition on Saturday last. \ ilia and IN esterii were scheduled to play at Linwood Park, but as most of the ground was under water, and in view of the importance of the match to the contesting teams, a postponement was agreed to. Tho condition cf the roads between Ashburton and Christchurch made it - impossible for the Wanderers to fulfil their engagement with Sunnyside at the hospital ground, and this match will also be played at some future date, oroviding it affects tho championship. At English Park. Hangers played n drawn game with Lyttelton, with a score of two goals each, and Nomads defeated St. Albans at Richmond Park by the comfortable margin cf five goals to one. TACTICS BEAT ST. ALBANS. Three minutes after the kick-off between Nomads and St. Albans, the former took tho lead, and from that point to the end of a very uneventful game the ultimate winner was never in ' uoubt. Certainly Saints commenced with three men short, and had 1 ennant, Wilson and Bryan been available Nomads would have found their task more- difficult than it was. Juniors eventually filled the places of the two _ last-mentioned players, but by that time the damage was done. Nomads had a vacancy in their team, and Woods played without an inside partner on the right. Even so. Nomads were immeasurably superior in attack, and E. Colville was. sadly lacking m tactical knowledge to adopt the oneback game. , . In point of strategy and drawing 01 the defence, the Nomads forwards are all experts in every detail. Nothing pleases them more than an cnrusmng defender whose sole object is to get to the bail, for it gives them an opportunity to indulge in side-stepping and adroit ball manipulation. The greasy state of the ground made this point o. olay all the more easy for Nomads for the tackier invariably lost his fee. m an endeavour to effect a recovery, nnO this often opened up a clear route to the St. Albans goal. Knowing the calibre of the opposing forv.-aros, a strong defence should have been toe Saints’ first consideration, but it was not. until too late in the game that Kelly was sent back to assist the rearguard. It is significant to note that from that time Nomads railed to find the net-. St Albans were badly handicapped in the half-back line, but their chief weakness appeared in the forwards. They produced many smart wing movements, particularly on the right, but these almost invariably fizzled out for want of cool judgment on the part of the winger to a certain degree, but mainly on account of the inside trio not being in a correct position to receive the ball when it was dispatched for the clinching effort. In this roj specs Nomads showed up to advantage, for the forwards generally worked the I ball out to the unmarked man, who lost I no time in making tracks for'goal. ! A closer finish would undoubtedly j \ have been recorded had fit. Albans i placed a purely defensive game, with i tenacious marking, for the first lialf- ' hour of the match. Although Cooke, in 1 jroal for St. Albans, was beaten five times, he made quite double that ntm- ! brr of excellent saves. He is a very promising keeper*

Tennant found the position of uolo full-back altogether too much for him, but lie never ceased to strive until the final whistle. j The display of the half-backs was I very mediocre, although they worked t hard. The strategy and loot work or the Nomads always had them guessing. Kelly, E. Colville and Donaldson were the pick of tho forwards. The two first named never failed to drive for goal if an opportunity presented itself, and they were always on the alert. Donaldson’s play showed a vast improvement, and it he would finish his first wing movements by closing on J goal he would be more effective. j With a score of four goals to one. Nomads wore in a happy position at the interval, and throughout tho second session they played like tho masters of the situation they really were. Wilson in goal effectively dealt with all the shots put to him. The only score registered against him followed a scramble close in. and was no: really a shot. Bond and F. M’Crennor got just about enough work to keep them warm. The halt-back line, Spencer, H. ' M’Oreaiior and Baxter, found variety j :r< having a shot at the net on coca- j sions, but met with no success. Each of the four forwards scored goals, anti did not unduly exert themselves at any period of the match. Woods lias been a most prolific goal scorer this season, and has proved a success at outside right. His goal was the best effort of the match. Frickloton showed a fine sense of anticipation, ami was always in position when the bull was sent over from the wing. M Dougall excelled himself in artistic touch, and his cute disposal of the ball always had the Saints’ defence in difficulties. He had a perfect understanding with his partner. Chapman the left, and they produced some very nice movements. RANGERS VALUE FOR A WIN. Seeing that both clubs were badly in need of points, the game between Rangers and Lyttelton at English Baric was rather quiet. The forwards did not seem to put forth very great exertion. and were content to take matters Readily. They generally kept the ball -lose, and there was riot much chat- ( was spefcacular in the play. Rangers . were the better side, and their tor - I wards were a more even and well bed- ! anced set than they have been for seme time. Cross, who made his first appear- ! anec, could claim some credit for the improvement noticeable. He was always at work, and he helped the others in no uncertain way. Tupe siernaHsed his advent in the j forward line hv scoring, but it cannot j '><• said that the goal he registered was j anything except a simple one. for the i ball was sent over to him when he wa.-j entirely unmarked and close in. Once again Norman proved his value by his s-liooting and no player or\ the field t coualled his performance in this direcs- I tion. Few chances fell to him, and for the most part he had to * make* openings for himself. Ho } demonstrated his ability to do so and Allen turned one beautiful effort from j him over the bar, and another just outside the post. Liddon played a fine game, making many delightful runs and be disnlavcd much more confidence- and skill than be lias shown of late. Tlin play would bo oven more effective if he closed on goal after beating the half. Bis sett was prominent in foot craft and strategy and mad© many dangerous advances on tho •

Lyttelton goal. But in clinching effect his exhibition was feeble in the extreme. It is not often that the veteran has been guilty of missing so many gilt-edged opportunities to score as he did on Saturday. Of tho half-backs Gormack was the best, and lie was always prominent in both attack and defence. Dcwkcr at centre made some nice openings and used good judgment. Kovner on the right also played a useful game and he made good use of his wing. Tho full-backs, Stevens and Lusk, played clean, vigorous football. Although the play of the former was very good it would be considerably improved if he used more weight. Berry appeared as custodian for the first time this season for Rangers and he displayed both coolness and nerve on more than one occasion. The Avatersiders gave a moderate exhibition and did not at all impress with their work near goal. They chowed a good understanding and moved along in nice style, but were n trifle alow. Opportunities fell to them, but no aptitude was displayed in turning them to account. Hennessey was always a busy worker but his shooting was not of the best. Ho made one splendid shot which Berry did well to get rid of. Stafford and J. Taylor made a strong wing and they were responsible for many smart movements, but they lacked finishing effect. Two new players in Band and , Kelly appeared on the left tving. Of the two the latter Avar- the more effectiA’e and Band evidently requires a game or two before he finds his feet If Pardon were to instill more confidence into his play in the halves it would improve out of sight. He is also entitled to use more weight than he usually employs. M’Gilp was alv.'ays in the thick of the fray and was one of the best players afield. Mayo and D. Taylor showed signs of stress before the end, but Avere equal to ail demands, and Avere especially good at times in vollovimr the ball. For Allen’s display in goal there can be nothing but praise, and it was main Tv through bis endeavours that his side was not defeated. He made many Aery fine saves. THE POSTPONED MATCHES. It was decided at the last meeting r-f the Canterbury Football Association that the postponed matches. Villa I v. "Western, and Ashburton a*. Sunnyside, shall bo played later in the season if th rt w have any bearing on the cliami nionship.