Association Football Notes

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17345, 18 July 1924, Page 4

Association Football Notes

jS?V

“ NESTOR"

Excellent weather conditions prevailed on Saturday last, when the twelfth round cf the Canterbury Football Assbciation’s senior grade championship matches was played off. As was anticipated the matches created an abundance of interest, for in four of the contests the winners were returned by til© narrow matgin of a single goal. Only one team failed to score. This was at English Park, where an unexpected reverse was inflicted oil Nomads by Rangers. The margin was two clear goals—both scored before the interval. The odd goal in three sufficed to keep Western at the top of the League table but Y.M.C.A. strongly challenged over the concluding part of the journey at Hagiey Parle. After twice obtaining the lead, Kaiapoi succumbed to Villa at Richmond Park hv the odd goal in five —a notable victory for the city team. At the Mental Hospital ground, Sunnyside were all out to maintain their odd goal in three supremacy over Thistle. The Scots rallied brilliantly in the closing stages of the game, and come near to halving the points. Lyttelton maintained their fine record of home successes by defeating St Albans at Officer’s Point. Of three goals scored the watersiders registered two. The keen struggle for the championship is indicated in the following tabie :

RANGERS CELEBRATE, Ever since Rangers stepped from junior to senior status, fourteen years ago, a fine spirit of rivalry has existed between them and Nomads. The veterans will recall with pleasure the exploits of George Norman, the late George Blatherwick, of Gallipoli fame, and the sturdy defenders, Colin Hys r lop, Paul Perry and, later, E. Bartlett, of Ranger?;. Then there was Aten Taylor, of Nomads, the late Arthur day and Lloyd Davies, who both paid the supreme sacrifice. Billy Watson is still hereabouts —hale and hearty. These players were the stars of their period, but now their duties, those that are left, extend no further than offering criticism of their respective teams, from the side-line. Amongst the active brigade, the old-time rivalry still exists, and, let us hope, will continue to do so for many years to come.

•For the thirty-second time Nomads and Rangers met in combat on Saturday last The venue was English Park. In their previous encounter, Nomads rubbed it in to the tune of six goals to one. On the last occasion Rangers prevailed by two clear goals. And so the game goes on. Many years ago Percy Dowker won the Brown Shield for Canterbury ut Auckland with his head. The same head was again responsible in winning another memorable victory against Nomads at English Park six days ago. As is their wont, Nomads jumped right away from the kick-off, and threatened to overwhelm Rangers for the first ten" minutes of the game. A sturdy defence gradually pushed them back, and when Aspinall found Ives unmarked on the left, he immediately put the winger in possession. Adroitly manoeuvring past the challenging Graham, Ives smartly lobbed the ball to goal. Dowker raced through the centre, and with a swift turn of his head he deflected the ball into the net well out of James Dougall’s reach. Ten minutes afterwards Ives again sent the ball across. Again Dowker was prominent in a head movement which brought the ball down to his toe, and for the second time the ball was Hashed into the net. That is the story of the match, for in ensuing play the aggressive tactics of Nomads only served to bring into prominence the brilliance of the Rangers defence, as portrayed by the invincible triangle in Lusk, S. Frickleton and Perry. James M’Dougall, in goal for Nomads, had no chance with the shots that got past him, and lie was well covered by a pair of reliable full-backs in Flood and Graham. M’Croanor, at centre-half, stood in a class of his own and generally man - aged to hold the inside trio of his opponents. J. Frickleton and Chapman tr.ea very hard among the forwards anti were really the only prominent players of the Nomads attack. I'or the winners, Perry gave a finished display in goal and made some splendid saves. S. Frickleton and Lusk were a solid and reliable pair of backs. The latter was particularly prominent and played the best game on the field. His display was one of the finest seen on English Park tiiis season and his work was mainly responsible for keeping the Rangers’ goal intact. Aspinell, Barwell and Pilling were prominent as half-backs, and their tackling and anticipation was excellent. Amongst the attack Norman arid Ives were responsible for some splendid combined movements on the left. Rogers .was a rank failure at outsideright and was the weakest player on the field. Bissett was tricky and was ever ready with a shot for goal. Anyone who doubted the real value of personality in football should have witnessed the display of Dowker on this occasion. Believed to have retired from tho game, he was recalled for this match, and justified the selectors’ choice by registering both goals for Rangers in a brilliant display. Mr H. Smyth controlled the game impartially. * VILLA ADVANCE. Villa’s inability to make progress in the championship table is largely due to the fact that they have failed so often to reap the harvest of their dominance in midfield play by efficiency

*in front of goal. Perhaps it has been i a case of over-anxiety At ail events, | it is a curious circumstance now thax> j their hope of championship honours is practically extinguished that they -should produce brilliant football arid establish their superiority over a team like Ivaiapoi. In the first round Villa dropped the points in a 3—l defeat. At Richmond Park on Saturday last they won by the odd goal in five. It was a great game, played in an excellent spirit and won by a deserving side. Although the downfall of both goalkeepers was often practically assured, neither had a great deal to do. This state «_>f things was largely due to the high standard of back play ail round. There was not much to chooscbetween them either. Jackson and Badland were the more resourceful. The formers’ resolution and the lattors* shrewd calculation made a splendidly versatile combination. Bayne was guilty of one or two errors in tactics, but G. Hirst was convincing in all he did. Both the Ivaiapoi basics, however, had merits not always apparent. Their display more than passed muster. Of the Kaiapoi half-backs, J. Durie was about the best of a moderate line, yet he has lost much of the anticipation that made him a deft intervener, and also that assurance and craft in opening the way to an attack. Fowler, with less responsibility, was tenacious in his tackling, but not a consistent purveyor. C‘u the other 1 hand, A. Durie failed somewhat in marking his opponent. He should have a better understanding with his full-back. Of the forwards, Isles was volatile and clever, but. he found little room to move. His reputation precedes him. The r>ast effect of the left wing is missing. Noble played quite well and provided for Howarth—w ho only flashed occasionally—but it was not his best near goal. Cowan was prominent with his well conceived industry and Bruce was alert and aggressive on the right. The Villa half-backs were masterful, and had pace to recover. “Nestor” cannot separate them in merit, save to testify to the strategy and utility of Lovatt. The delightful passages between Ran son and Berry were a leading feature. Hanson was a master of the ball, refined in dribbling with a swerve arid a feint. Invariably he realised a purpose. Berry did not always respond to the excellent service accorded him. He still persists in delaying his centres to goal. Falconer is an undoubted discovery at outside right. Apart from an admirable interchange of passing with his partner, he was able to make insidious solo progress. His centres were subtle-placed, riot driven, except when a clear avenue to the net presented itself. Verlander was as lively as a hornet, emr on the move, ever striving for effect, and looking able to achieve it. His partner, Clements, was in rare trim, and made the most of many situations. The occasion served to introduce Mr 11. G. Schouler (late of Auckland) as referee. As an observing critic “Nestor” is prepared to extend congratulations to the C.R.A. in securing a first-class tradesman. A ROUSING GAME. One of tho fastest and best games seen at Sunnyside for a long time resulted in a win for the Hospital team, who beat Thistle by the odd goal in three. The Scots played so well in the first half that Sunnyside were flattered by a goal lead, obtained by Purdie, after twenty minutes play. Generally Thistle were faster, and they engineered their attack with method and precision. During these periods of aggression it was the dofence of Mitchell and Gould which prevented the Scottish raids from .materialising. Just prior to the interval, Salie (late or Ashburton Wanderers) received an injury to an <?ye, which necessitated the attention of Dr Beale, and lie resumed in tne second half with his head swathed in bandages. Patterson equalised the score fifteen minutes after the resumption, but Safie scored the winning goal shortly afterwards. Sunnyside’s rearguard was sound. Mitchell being the better of the fullbacks, because of his excellent timing of the ball, and with his partner, gave Callaghan little cause for anxiety. The half-backs were a methodical trio, being eager to help in attach, and in the first half Bond Was prominent in triangular movements with Duncan and Browning. Thompson opened out the game finely, and Batten, though not always equal to holding Patterson, was always thoroughly in earnest. M’Laclilan played his first game under new colours with his usual brilliance His centring was prompt and accurate. Purdie was aggressive, but ever ready to apply strategy in working for an opening near goal. Safie is short of j a game, and his display hardly reached the requisite standard. Without being conspicuous Browning played cleverlj. and plied Duncan on the wing with passes which were invariably made the best use of. After a somewhat shaky opening. Cox, in goal for Thistle, improved as the game progressed. The defenders have been seen in much better form collectively, though individually they did many brilliant things. Occasionally, though, the work was made unnecessarily difficult by delays in clearing. In this respect both Aitken and Crookston were guilty of errors in tactics, and there was slackness in recovering when the deciding goal was scored. i J. Simpson, Sweeney and R. Dick i wore resourceful workers in the inter- j medute line, and gave admirable sup- I port to the attack. W. Dick, the wisp i of a boy on the rifcht flank, made up | his lack of physical power by nis in- i telhgence. His transfer and quick stride into position were excellent. I urvis was prominent throughout, and responsible for some excellent shots. Thomas is a robust and clever player who holds Ihe line, keeps ic moving, and is a deadly shot with resourcefulness. The left wing was admirable, for Patterson has seldom shown much i spirited raiding and true finishing power, while Tie was well supported byEllis—a tip-top inside left. Mr Geo. —lack, as referee, was treated with the couf-tesy that his ability , deserves.

WESTERN STILL LEAD. As -was anticipated the game between Western and Y.M.C.A. provided an excellent contest at Hagiey Park, and the leaders secured the points by the narrow margin of the odd goal in three. The game furnished a proof of the near equality of the teams in the competition, for the contestants occupy the highest and lowest rungs of the championship ladder. As a matter of fact, for the greater part of the first half Y.M.C.A. did most of the attacking and it was only the brilliance of the Wes-

tern custodian that prevented them "from scoring before their opponents did. This occurred just before the ir. r I tervai, and nobody must have been j more surprised than the successful marksman, Tomblin. when a goal was signalled, for he was yards off-side when he took the shot. It was undoubtedly a wrong decision and it appeared to affect the morale of the Y.M.C.A. team after the interval. In tho opening period Western were the aggressors in chief and persistent pressure produced another goal through Roberts. This second reverse provided the stimulating influence required by Y.M.C.A. and Phelps reduced the score. During the last fifteen minutes the maroons exploited every artifice in at:* effort to force the equaliser and the Western defence was often in desperate straits. During this strenuous period “safety first” was the first consideration of the Blacks and as a consequence the ball frequently made air wav well out of play. But the end justified the means and Western continue their Andrews, the Western custodian, alone saved his side from defeat. He collected the most difficult of shots j safely and surely, and was ever a’ert. Neither Sproston tier F. Cliapple was as safe as usual at full-back. Both were hustled out of their normal ground by the opposing forwards and frequently miskicked. Of a trio of excellent ha'.f-backs, Roberts was easily the best. He gave a line display. Reece will never make a half-back, although he was not a failure in this position. He is essentially a forward. Of the forwards Thompson and Tomblin were the best, with Harbutt on the right wing not as sound as usual. Y.M.C.A. played their best game of the season, the forwards especially playing with great dash. Wells, in goal, was not frequently tested, for he was well : covered by Bunt and Maynard, who ! are developing a fine understanding, j "M. Chappie. Warn and Deans comj prised an intermediate line well-balanc-j ed in every respect. They were prominent in attack and defence alike. I The forwards gave a very good aci count of themselves. They were fast and displayed skill and understanding. Their shooting also showed a vast improvement over previous displays. Particularly fine work was accomplished on their wings by Moorhouse and Carey, whose centres, especially those of the latter, were put in with the utmost accuracy. Norrie was not quite at his best, but Phelps and E. “Cliapple ] helped themselves to shots consistently and were unfortunate in finding All drews in such good form. NOTES. Canterbury, and the Rangers Club in particular, have lost the services of an excellent player in Lieutenant Sam Frickleton, V.C., who has been transferred by the Defence Department to Napier. The popularity of “ Sam ” is evidenced in the number of “ send-offs” accorded him by his club mates during the past week. Mr and Mrs Frickleton left by the ferry last evening. At the last meeting of the C.F A. it was recommended that the senior grade competition be divided up into two sections next season. The four bottom teams in the competition this season will form the B division. The vital question is: Which will be the four j teams ? j

P. W. D. L. F. A. Pt8. Western . 12 9 2 1 31 11 20 Sunnyside . 12 8 3 1 22 8 10 Nomads . 11 7 2 2 28 10 16 Lyttelton . 11 7 2 2 14 10 16 Thistle . 12 3 6 3 15 1‘2 32 Villa . . 12 3 4 6 15 23 10 K&iapoi . 12 3 2 7 24 29 8 Hangers . 12 4 — 8 22 25 8 St Alban3 . 12 2 2 8 10 22 ’ 6 Y.M.C.A. . 12 1 1 10 12 43 3