Association Football Notes

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17351, 16 May 1924, Page 3

Association Football Notes

By

"NESTOR”

Except for a blustering wind which taxed the judgment of the players to the,limit conditions were excellent for the third round of the Canterbury Football Association’s senior grade competition on Saturday last. The contests provided quite an unusual number of surprises, chief of which was the overwhelming defeat of Rangers by Nomads at English Park by six goals to one. Then Thistle achieved a remarkable performance by winning Suijnyside to a goal-less draw on the Mental Hospital ground. Another unexpected reverse was that of Villa at the hands of Kaiapoi on the latter’s ground, by a score of three goals to one. The last half-hour’s play gave Western the victory over Y.M.C.A. at Hagley Park, with a score of two goals to nil. St Albans, through inability to field a full team, defaulted to Lyttelton. A STRENUOUS GAME. In a game which was replete with exciting incident, hut little classical football, Thistle had the unusual experience of preventing Sunnyside from scoring on Saturday, and thus dividing the points. It is to the credit of the Scots that they succeeded in wresting a point from their rivals, but Sunny- . side should never have allowed them to escape with this reward. Sunnyside had the advantage in midfield work, and were quicker on the ball, but could not place it in the net. This failure . was not entirely due to feeble finishing, 1 for there were shots delivered which might have scored ; indeed, Callaghan saved Thistle from defeat. First Clements enabled Duncan to burst through, the wing man cutting in to drive furiously past the far angle of the goal. Then Mizzeu delivered a thrilling shot which almost touched the cross-bar, and Callaghan foiled him. Sunnyside also had their moments of anxiety, for once Gibson, too. went near to scoring, but Ellis crossed the ball for Durning to miss by inches. Then- Lamont sped the ball just outside the upright with Jackson beaten, and when Patterson was given the opportunity of a clear run j to goal, Bond raced over ar.d dispos- | sessed him ten yards out. These incidents stood out in a hard- \ fought game- which brought out al! | that was best in the opposing defences. : It was a defenders’ day truly, for there was not much sparkle in either attack. The Sunnyside right wing was the greatest force forward. Mizzen was the best marksman, and an initiator, and his partner was brisk and a good finisher. But the other home forwards ; did very little qf- note. Except that l they showed an inclination to hold the ball too long at times the Sunnyside half-backs were serviceable, alike in attack and defence. Thompson and Bond were adepts in- despoiling the Scots, but Purdie, vigorous and shrewd, helped to force the attacks the most. If not polished, the Sunnyside fullbacks were difficult to overcome. Keen tacklers both, they timed their rushes, but did not always make the best use of the ball. In the Thistle attack, Ellis and Purves suggested that they were the more smooth-working combination. The inside right flicked and headed the ball to advantage, but generally he and his colleagues were well held. The halfbacks had not the leisure to devote much attention to their own front rank, but they were -good in defence with Dick and Simpson the most assertive. Crookston is an aggressive, more than a polished full-back, and he placed himself to stem attacks most intelligently. Aitken was a hardy tackier, 1 though not distinguished for his placing. Mr IT. W. Perryman was the referee. RANGERS ROUTED. The expected closely contested game between Rangers and Nomads at English Park did not eventuate, for, in a contest which the winners dominated from beginning to end, Nomads ran out winners by six goals to one. Right from the kick-off Nomads asserted themselves, and although Rangers played solid football, they were completely outclassed by ’ their opponents. Battling against a' fairly stiff breeze in . the first half, the Nomads’ front ling swung tho ball about in rare style, and within fifteen minutes bad registered twice through the agency of < hapman and Keliy. Bangers retaliated determinedly, but the Nomads’ full-backs, Graham and Flood, were seen at their best, and never made % mistake. Their tackling was superb, and both got in many fine first time kicks. MV ream.!* pla.vorl hi- usual solid gwum at centre-hall. lie was cool under

pressure, and placed the ball nicely to his forwards. His partners, John M’Dougall and O’Brien, acquitted themselves well, and more than held their own against the opposing wingers. The secret of Nomads’ success was in the forward line. With fine bursts of combined play they continually swept over tho opposing defence, and had it not been for tine brilliant work of Perry, the Rangers’ custodian, the score must have been oven greater. Frickleton, Kelly and Chapman were at their best, while M’Loughlan and Gascoyne, the respective wingers, showed fine speed, and sent over some clinking centres. The disposition of the Rangers attack in the first half undoubtedly was a contributing factor to its indifferent display and negative results. With a fine disregard to previous experience Bissett was played outside to Barwell on the right. The veteran still possesses an expert knowledge in footwork but lacks a winger’s first qualification in .speed. Bissett repeatedly beat tho oposing half in skillful bail play, but was easily overhauled in bis get-away. After the interval Barwell was given his usual position, and as a consequence the right wing became a dangerously progressive factor. Perhaps the greatest weakness in the Rangers team lay in the half-back line, for none of the trio could hold the Nomads forwards. Then, playing with the wind, they made the disastrous mistake of kicking too hard, with the result that the ball was carried to the feet of the opposing full-backs, who were given ample opportunity to clear before being challenged by the attacking forwards. Hardly at any period of the game did the Rangers’ attack produce that combination of movement for which it is noted. Ives appeared at centre-forward for the first time, but bis reputation was responsible for extra preeautionarly measures by the Nomads defenders, aud ho was hardly given the opportunity to produce Id’s best form. Norman was guilty of attempting a altogether too much solo work, and was nearly always dispossessed whilst endeavouring to manoeuvre for position. Of ‘ the Rangers defence. Pilling was quite a failure at left back, and was an intense disappointment.. His fault of waiting for the bounce of the ball rooeatedly got him into trouble, aud Nomads were not slow to take advantage of this weakness. Lusk played his usual solid and clean game, but was obviously overworked. Perry bad no chance with the shots which got past him, and was responsible for a really brilliant display. Mr George Black officiated. KAIAPOI COLLECT. Kaiapoi commenced their ascent of the championship ladder on Saturdaylast by defeating Villa by three goals to one. in recording their first victory for the season, the suburban players gave a. bright display, and with a further- improvement in concerted work they will continue to win matches. A ilia did not travel with their beat team, chough it was expected to be quite strong enough to bring the points back to town. Then Falconer played in goal, handicapped with au injured hand, and as thd game progressed he was obliged to relinquish his charge and take up tho outside fight- position. But Villa, as a whole, hardly played up to their usual form. Their attacks were somewhat disjointed and lacked cohesion. Then the half-backs—that source of supply to the forwards—eu-t-irclv failed to grasp the significance of tho opposing defence. The Kaiapoi I left half and full-back wore obviously j Loeir strongest, defensive- factor in the ; argument, and still it was on this sector that the Villa concentrated their attack. On tho other hand, Kaiapoi distributed the play more evenly and showed a fine discrimination in tactics. Tho | inside work of the Kaiapoi forwards 1 was often decidedly clever, and O. Hirst kept the ball moving between ; Noble and Bruce with smart passes. Keeping the ball close up to the right j point is good play, bur nevertheless it. wants to be varied with quick puss- ! ing to the wings, otherwise the dej tenders know where to expect the i next pass to go. North put in some | very pretty work, and Howarth was ; always aiding the attack by his judi- ! clous placing. J. Dune was the great ! worker at half-back, but A. Dune and Tries played consistently well, and A. Hirst was indefatigable at. hack Fowler’s defence is more on the lines of safety first. Stewart shows promise of developing into n first-class custoL Of the .Villa defence, Johnstone. us.

still iU chief corner-stone, though Re force H. Smith checked him occasionally for kicking at close quarters! Badland was hoc quite so effective. Burnside plaved his customary good game at centre half. and Slmrr was consistent Mulcaby played a hard game, but was inclined to give the opposing wing too much latitude. The forward line was disappointing, and Robertson, Berry and Lovatt were the only players to catch the eye. WESTERN WIN. Up to the interval, when neither sine had scored, it was au open ques- 1 tion as to which of the contestants Y.M.C.A. or "Westernj would ultimately win. Certainly Western had monopolised the ball more than their opponents, but hoth goals had equally liartow escapes. Alter the interval, however. Western gradually assumed the upper hand, and goals by Whittington and Thompson ultimately put the issue beyond doubt. Y.M.C.A. fielded a much stronger team than they have done in their previous matches, and by their showing on Saturday they give promise of developing into a very serviceable combination. With a little more practice and attention to detail the forwards will score goals, but an effort should be made to establish players in their proper positions and keep them there. Wells k as nothing to be discouraged about as a custodian in being beaten occasionally. He decidely has a career in front of bim for he lias a wonderful gift of anticipation. No defender worked harder than Maynard, and he shows fine grit and pertinacity. Bunt also gives great promise, and his tackling and clearing were things to be remembered. The half-back line showed an improvement with the assistance of Norrie efc centre. He is a fine tactician, but should waste no time m dispatching the ball. Ward played on improved game on the right, and with a little more attention to marking the opposing winger, Lillyman gives great promise at left half. Elliott is inclined to impulsiveness at outside left, and would do better to restrict his at-’ teution to combined play. Phelps was somewhat handicapped by his partner failing to connect when he initiated some promising wing movements, and lor this reason he was not seen at his best. E. Chappie at centre was always dangerous, and is an opportunist who is hound to score goals. Senior and M. Chappie comprise the most effective wing. Western hardly played as convincing a game as their score would suggest. They wore always vigorous and enterprising, but lacked something? in combination. Andrews was w ell covered by a pair of good backs, of whom Sprosteu was the more convincing. Whittington was the shining light of the intermediate line, and his play at times was brilliant. Roberts distributed he ball well at centre half, aud Bull was effective on the left. Thompson and Reese comprised an effective wing, and they served Latterway at centre well. Harbut was fast on the right, and with his partner, Walker, initiated several smart movements. Mr W. Pennington controlled the game. NOTES. Cabled advise to the N.Z.F.A. from ■Jr F. Gray, of Shanghai, notifies that the Chinese University team will leave by the s.s. Tango Ma-ru ou June 18. Sydney will be reached on July 9, and tho team will transfer to the Maheno, which leaves on July 11 and arrives on July 15. Dr Gray, who hopes to accompany th© team, lias expressed bis appreciation of the arrangements made >y the N.Z.F.A., which, he states, are entirely satisfactory. The Canadian representatives commenced their Australian tour on Saturday last at Sydney, when, before a crowd of 20,000 spectators, they played *. goal-less draw with Metropolitan. At the last meeting of the N.Z. Council it was decided to write to the commonwealth Association with a view :o arranging fixtures with the Canadians on the return journey, and for the Chinese to play in Australia at the end of their New Zealand tour. Porirua defeated • Sunnyside at Porirua last Tuesday by four goals to RANGERS v. VILLA. To-morrow’s contestants at English Park will be Rangers and Villa, when a- particularly fast, spectacular game should be witnessed. Villa ha-d an unexpected win over Nomads recently, while Nomads defeated Rangers last week. The latter arc rather an erratic combination, but arc settling down to the game in fine style. Both teams possess remarkably good forward linos, and pretty combined play, with smart interchanges, should be the order of the day. As a curtain-raiser to th© big event, St Alban? and Technical Old Boys (fourth grade) will try concluTECIINTCAL OLD BOTP. Versus "Western, at Hagley Pa.rk. 2.45 p.m.—OTrl Boys’ team will he selected from the- following pi avers: Jackson, Cawtheray. Booth. J. Te*chert, C. Teichert, S. A. Griffith. O'Longhlin, N. Blackler, Broadbelt, Armstrong, iSprosten. SUNNYSIDE CLUB. Sunnyside v. 'Western, at Sunnyside—T. Jackson, Mitchell. Gould. Bond, Purdie (captain). Thompson. Duncan. Mizen. Clements. Thomas, Gib-on and Browning. Y.M.C.A. CLUB. Fifth Grade v. Lyttelton, at Hagley Park Jlortli, No. 2. at 1.30 p.m.—C. Deans, F. Lilfeyman E. Limes, Yerey, A. Martin, TT. Firkin. H. Saunders. F. Foster, Collie. N. Havord, J. . M Farlane, W. Janie-', C. Crawley.