Association Football Notes

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17567, 18 June 1925, Page 3

Association Football Notes

By

" NESTOR ”

SUXX YSIDE AYIN. A LAST-MINUTE GOAL. Never did a team break their fine sequence ot championship league victories or hid farewell to their unbeaten record with a more luminous halo than that which surrounded Nomads on a drab, dreary day at English Park. It was one of life’s littjo tragedies that they lost, vet Sunnyside wore not fortunate to win. They were the superior team, peculiarly enough when the elements wore arrayed against them. Sminysido were worthy enough to preserve their unbeaten record intact, but Nomads were no less worthy to remain unbeaten far tho nonce. All of which is very abstract to the distant eye. Put those who witnessed, ho they partisan or dispassionate, will admit that fortune frowned on a. very gallant team. Precious little was to he ground out of tliis game, but the luck—well the luck was Sunnyside’s— to win as they did. “ Nestorw ishes to convey this: That a, draw would liavo been tho best issue, and if it had been Nomads’ fortune to win in tho manner their rivals did the latter would baye been just as unlucky. There! Nomads cannot bo paid a better or more deserving tribute. Tho crowd was drifting towards the exits -hundreds hs] already left tho ground satisfied the game would end in a goal-less draw. Then the tragedy- to Nomads—happened. A clearing kick was charged down quite accidentally. Tho greasy ball squirmed to the foot of a Sun by side attacker, who was entirely unmarked ten xnrds out of goal, and inn, twinkling game was lost and won. Fancy the galling experience of being beaten by such a goal, seconds from time. Pitiless rain descended ns the players lined up for the kick-off. and thereafter tho pitch was practically under water. Quito early in the game conditions were so atrocious that it would have occasioned no surprise had the match been abandoned. But as the players warmed to their work the gjtjt of thrilj and shook and sensation prevented any thought of stoppage. In any case, the players were ploughing through a mass of liquid mud, gambolling in it, revelling in it, and Serving tip such football as is rarely sem under such conditions. For tho ground was treacherous—every square foot of if. Tiro ball shot, skidded or stopped short in a puddle. The player slipped, splashed or sailed along the sloppy surface on the seat of his pants like a man shot out of a. toboggan, AY lion tho interval efinie they wanted a rest, or rather a clean rig-out. Logs were buried in layers ct' mud, pants were black and stuck to the thigh like a porous plaster, faces were black and a few* of tho players resembled the corner-men in a trope of minstrels. It was a day to test patience and endurance, but the match was a triumph ,of temperament, a complete vindication of those who hold that Association football players can meet nowadays amid the greatest tension and preserve tho sporting spirit. To indulge in candid criticism would hardly be fair. Mud was the monarch. Of the opposing goal-keepers, T. Jackson was tho mo.ro impressive. Only on one occasion did he allow his impetuosity to overrule his prudence. He gathered tho greas.y hall cleanly, and cleared well under pressure. With less opportunity Callaghan did th i respond as well. Ho fu’mbled the ball dangerously at times, and on one occasion was decidedly luckv to j>rcservo his goal intact. The Sunnysidc full-backs, J. Jackson and Simpson, defended staunchly though the latter took risks in passing back the ball to the goalkeeper over a surface on which it was ever likely to shoot or come to a sudden stop. Generally the intermediate line kept the ball in the air too much when playing with the wind. Of the trio, Purdie at centre was the lesser offender. He distributed the ball well to cither wing and realised the possibilities attending a snap-shot. Bond was industrious and persevering on the left. Batten appeared to enjoy the slogging. 11 is predominating trait was tenaciousness. Although closely shadowed. Trotter was the great general. lie held the slippery ball confidently, and no man equalled his judgment. Time and again when Sunnyside cleared Trotter picked up the ball from a position between forwards and half-backs and made head? way. Actually his fast foil owing-up was responsible for the winning goal. In this achievement Mizcn wac the

1 clinching factor. Tt was a Titling climax to a sterling display by the winger lor he provided manv thrilling runs | down the line. Browning and Juthcrland, the inside units, were progressive and forceful, but they did not appear to realise that the conditions called for snap-shooting. On the right M Lachlan found the going not to his liking, and his display was rather depressing. In blood and Graham Nomads had a pair of brave and sure backs. Th. head-work of the former and the clearing of the latter were features of the game. After defending so brilliantly for eighty-nine minutes of the game it -was unfortunate that they were finally the victims cf circumstance. Of the half-backs none played better than Muscroft on the left. He was equally at home with a high or a low ball and in general utility he was the best intermediate on the field. John M’Dougall stuck to Trotter like a burr and in this he fulfilled his mission -up to the last minute. It. was then that Trotter found his faithful attendant missing, and away he went like the wind. Nevertheless, John M'Dougall was a vital factor in his side's sterling display. Scraggs allowed his opposing wing too much scope. Ilis play in the second half was much improved over that of the first. On the whole, the forwards were rather disappointing. James M’Ddugall at centre was the most prominent-with Purves closely following. AY hen the time was opportune to clinch a raid it was distressing to find the line broken by two flagging inside men . In this respect much of the good work by the wingers was rendered abortive. Chapman, with his ability as a marksman, was somewhat wasted on the wing He was opposed to a virile defender, but his neat footwork assisted him in progress. Twice Sunnyside have met Nomads this season (once in the Charity Cup) and twice they have achieved victory by the odd goal. AYhatevcr may have happened on a decent day, Sunnyside proved themselves the merrier men at inudlarking on this occasion. Mr AY. Mitchell, who refereed under particularly trying conditions, is lo be commended on the hold he kept on the players. Occasionally lie found it necessary to administer a mild rebuke for over-robust play, but his rulings were never questioned.