ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17836, 3 May 1926, Page 13

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

HIGH SCORING IS MAINTAINED.

REGRADING OF TEAMS NECESSARY.

Again on Saturday last was demonstrated the value of the new off-side as a goal producing medium. Winning teams shared a total of 27 goals and the losers 7 goals. Before the advent of the new rule defenders were enabled to employ tactics which placed the attackers at a disadvantage and as yet they have failed, generally speaking, to devise a means whereby they can check the deluge of goals with which they are threatened. As the season advances and the defenders become more accustomed to the altered conditions, goal scoring is likely to be checked to a certain extent, but it will never dwindle to that recorded in the two-back regime. It is highly probable that application will be made at to-night's meeting of the C.F.A. for the reinstatement of the Addington Wbrkshops team to junior status. This is as it should be, for it has been conclusively proved that the play of the workshops team is not up to senior grade standard. Furthermore success promotes enthusiasm, and it is beyond argument that winning matches in the junior grade is much preferable to being unmercifully trounced in a grade wherein a team is outclassed.

It is doubtful whether St Albans can build up a team which Js likely to hold its own in senior grade football and through its deletion from that grade •would create a bye it would be the wisest course to follow Addington’s excellent example. Keenly contested and spectacular games are essential to the progress of the sport and a glance at the appended table should be sufficient evidence that there is a wide margin at present existing in the relative merits of the contesting teams in senior grade football.

VILLA VANQUISHED. Making full allowances for all the emergency players they were obliged to field Villa put up a very creditable display against Kaiapoi at English Park. With such stalwarts as Morley, Tanner, Lovatt and Courtenay out of the team it came somewhat as a surprise to find Villa leading by the odd goal in five at the interval. But the m disposition of this quartet robbed Villa of the very vital fight-to-the-fin-ish characteristic so necessary when a team is up against it. Kaiapoi were not five goals better than Villa at any part of the game, but the entire team was imbued with the will to win and therein lay the secret of their success.

Half-a-dozen players changed positions in the Kaiapoi team when the game was resumed after the interval. Robinson at inside right and Aspinall left back interchanged. Bruce, who had been injured, went into goal and White became right half in place of Cowan, who went outside rigtht. For Kaiapoi, White in goal did not cover himself with glory. lie played better at right half. Simpson was a dour defender and when partnered by Robertson in the second half the pair acquitted themselves well.

Aspinall, the ex-Ranger player, still retains his pep. He is not recognised as a forward, but as a front-liner he registered thrice.

The best player afield was Isles at left half. His propensity for work often carried him out of position, but his intuition was seldom at fault. He was one of the few players who drove for goal on ever}' possible occasion. Durie- at centre-half distributed the ball well and made many openings down the centre for the speedy Speirs. Cowan completed an effective intermediate line. His service to the centre was excellent.

Bruce was handicapped by being injured early in the game, but he stuck to his guns manfully.

Speirs, although lacking something in ball-control, made full use of his speed when an avenue to the net appeared down the centre.

Hcnvarth, oil the left, was not at his best. He was slow to part with the ball and got hopelessly tangled at

Noble was steadily progressive but should shoot oftener.

hor A ilia, Comfort in goal had little chance with the shots that beat him lie collected some particularly difficult shots in first rate style.

Streeter and K. Johnston worked like Trojans and never lost heart. Imbued with the same spirit as their defender--Villa would not have lost.

The half-back line was the weak link in the team. Mulcahy worked hard as a defender, but as a purveyor to thforwards he showed faulty tactics.

At centre Verlander seldom placed the ball for an effective break down the centre.

Anderson spoiled his play by placing the bal right to the toe of' an opposing full-back.

G. Johnstone was the best of the forwards. He was always dangerous when in possession.

Thomas and Deans are voting plavers who should learn to shoot on the instant. At present thev are too apt to attempt running the ball into the net. Whitehead insisted on wandering towards the centre. Many well placed transfrs down the wing went astrav on that account. lie has speed to carry him through if he studies positional play. Berry was seldom in evidence in the second half. He is not a good losing player. Villa’s form cannot be judged on this game. Fully represented the maroons are likely to effect a surprise. SUNNYSJDE TOO GOOD FOR NOMADS. Playing at the Sunnyside ground on Saturday, the Mental Hospital team were too good for Nomads. The conclusion drawn from the match was that the teams were practically equai in defensive forces, while Sunnyside forwards were superior in combination and execution of movement. In tactics and general cleverness, Nomads quite equalled their opponents, but rarely seemed to carry out a move to its full, or a successful issue. Want of condition, speaking comparatively, also told against the losers. It is true that Nomads were unfortunate right from the start. They only had seven men when the match was due to commence, and three others turned up after some delay, Gibson, the centreforward, arrived after play had been going on for a time, but had to be carried off before the conclusion of the spell owing to trouble caused by a collision with Callaghan, the Sunnyside custodian. To Nomads’ credit is the great defensive game they played

in the second spell, when they, a beaten team, held the score at 3-0 against them, as it had been at the conclusion of the first half. For Sunnyside, Bond and Thompson, particularly Bond, played sound games. These full-backs were never at fault, and their kicking and placing were generally good. They put the forwards away from time to time. M'Leod, among the halves, was conspicuous. He used good judgment, was always on the job, and did a great deal of useful defensive work. There was little to choose among the forwards. Purdy was in top form at centre, and kept the Nomads goalie busy. Pickering and Mizen constituted a formidable left wing, and excelled in partnership with Purdy. Sutherland and M’Lauchlan were thorns in the sides of their opponents. They rarely threw away chances, and worked together to advantage. M’Lauchlan had a. tendency to get too far forward. Nomads did not strike form. Jim M’Dougall. in goal always came to light when required. The first two that got past him would have extended any goalkeeper, particularly the first, a penalty from very close in. Graham was sound, but not brilliant at full back, and was partnered by Muscraft, who played one of the best games on the field. He was, as always, reliable and level headed.

Jock M’Dougall, though mostly obscured by Sunnyside legs and arms, was in fighting trim, and did not lose heart at any time. Howarth and Scragge, the wing-halves were erratic, and sometimes failed when called upon.

The forwards -were distinctly outplayed. Norman was outclassed and tired early, while Abbett spoiled several lovely chances. This player should use his head more, and get rid of the ball quicker.. Christian played his best game so far with Nomads, and was particularly efficient with headwork. Chapman was in form, but could do little unsupported as he frequently was. Towards the close of the game, Graham, Mushraft, Jock M’Dougall and Chapman appeared to be the only ones with much semblance of condition left. Intensive training, with personal and hearty co-operation from all the players. is what Nomads want. They have had two bad knocks already this season.

THE ODD GOAL WINS. The match at the Domain, New Brighton, when Thistle met the so far unbeaten Brighton team, was keenly fought from start to finish, and although the home team suffered a defeat they have nothing to be ashamed of. For their first year in the game they are certainly one of the most promising combinations which have ever entered the field. Soccer enthusiasts -would do well to follow the play of this young team, and one need never be afraid of seeing a dull game when paying them a visit. Their combination is good and will improve with each match, while they have quite a few brilliant players who know what is required of them and are always on the job. The two outstanding men are Andrews in goal and centre-forward Wilson. During the first half of Saturday's match Andrews was called on to save at least half a dozen very difficult shots, and he never failed. Wil son’s dash and shooting qualities were the chief attraction of their side.

Thistle seem to have a continuous run of bad luck with their scoring sectiofi, for although they spent the better part of the first half round the Brighton goal-mouth, when the spell .whistle blew they had nothing to show for their work.

Johnson and Ellis are brilliant, but received little support from the rest of their line, while Middleton seemed to have no control of the ball. Half-back M’Kinyin put in fast and clever work, and is Thistle’s most promising player, while Jackson did everything that was required of him and certainly did not tarnish his record as a goal-keeper. Much can be expected of this team, which is a decided improvement on last year’s, but the selection committee requires to give more consideration to their work and replace one or two weak men they arc now playing.

A LARGE MARGIN FOR WESTERN. Youthful vigour and superior combination were the principal factors that enabled Western to obtain an easy victory over Lyttelton. The latter suffered because its combination was poor, and some of the players were riot able to make anything of their opportunities. Western started off with a solid attack, and within the first ten minutes they were two goals up. Nelson, on the outside, was prominent in the open ing movements, and he shot the first goal. Barwell, an opportunist with speed, scored the second. Not once in the first half did Western ease off with their, attack, and at half-time they were five goals up. In the second half Lyttelton brightened up considerably, and were unlucky in not goaling twice in the first, few minutes. Andrews, the Western keeper, made two brilliant saves. Levi put in a splendid centre shot, but Andrews was there and turned the ball. Nelson, Barwell and Whittington were the prominent Western pla}-ers.

Parle, Taylor and Levi were the most noticeable Lyttelton men. Parle in particular did splendid work. He outwitted his opponents time and again, but he got little suport from his backs. TECHNICAL BEATS ADDINGTON WORKSHOPS. Phelps played an excellent game for Technical Old Boys in their match against Addington Workshops on Saturday. He is a dashing young forward this, and he seems to be getting better and better. On Saturday he scored three goals, and worked like a Trojan throughout. Fanner, one of the Addington Workshops team’s best men, is a consistently good player who was at his best on Saturday. He scored Addington's only goal, and he was always in the thick of it. Clear-headed, fast and tricky, he is a strong link in the Workshops chain. It was a win all the way for Technical. Addington couldn’t keep up with them, and scores were piled up in quick succession. Addington decided to default after half-time.

IN OTHER PLACES.

AUCKLAND. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, May 2. Northcote 2 beat Thistle 1. Tramways 3 beat North Shore 1. Ponsonby 2 beat Y-M.C.A. 0. WELLINGTON. WELLINGTON, May 2. SENIOR. Y.M.C.A. 7 beat Brooklyn 1. Hospital 3 beat Waterside 2. Marist 1 drew with Thistle 1. Institute 2 heat Diamonds 0. SENIOR B. .Tohnsonsille 8 beat Y.M.C.A. 1. Thistle 3 beat Hutt 2. Petone 3 beat Swift's 2. Seatoun 3 beat South Wellington I.

Matches. Goals. W. D. L. F. A. Pts. Sunnyside .... 3 — — 3 S — 6 Technical O.B. . *3 — — 20 2 6 Western 3 — — 3 7 4 6 New Brighton . *2 — 1 11 4 4 Thistle +2 — 1 3 3 4 Nomads 1 — 2 7 5 2 Kaiapoi 1 — 2 10 37 2 Add. Works. ..1 — 2 S 30 2 Villa 1 — 2 5 3 6 2 Lyttelton J. . . -— — 3 3 3 8 — St Albans .... — — 1 1 IS — ♦Includes abandoned match, tlncludes win by default.