ASSOCIATION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17890, 5 July 1926, Page 13

ASSOCIATION.

WESTERN DEFEAT THISTLE. This was an even match, the result o{ which was never certain, until the final whistle. The teams were well matched in almost every department, and as a result the spectators were treated to an interesting exhibition o' football. Western deserved their 4-2 victory on the general run of the play. For Western, Andrews, in goal, did better than usual, saving some difficult shots. He seems to be quite sound on low shots, though most ot the high ones have him well beaten. Sproston has the makings of a firstclass back. He was a tower of strength; sure-footed and a strong kick, and being a player who carefullv avoids all needless effort, he lasted the game well. D Lusk, playing it is understood, his first game this season, did well. His anticipation of opposition tactics was clever, his chief fault seemed to be a tendency to overrun his position. Whittington and Bull, of the halves, placed well, though not brilliantly, being a bit off form. Roberts, the usually brilliant centre halt, also had a day off. He was getting beaten all the time. Colville mad? a useful centre-forward, and retrieved some bad mistakes and bits of faulty play by the two goals that he collected- . H .® r " butt, the wingers, both fed the inside men judiciously, and used their brains as well as their pace to good effect: Neither Ellis nor Thompson, the inside wingers, played brilliantly, though Thompson was less off colour than his counterpart on the right, and brought off a number of mote-. Jackson, in"" goal for Thistle, was kept hopping. He did not seem sure of himself, and was beaten all the wav bv the four shots that were netted. He should control his tendency to run out too far_ and too often. Little can be said of the backs. Vtken and Cummings, beyond the fact that each could do with some tuition in placing and. steadiness. M Creanor V.'as the best of an indifferent set of half-backs. He showed more controlled enterprise than did the others, who were out of their places too much. M’Kiven was* brilliant in the front line. Commencing at outside left, where his speed, enterprise and clever ball plav made him conspicuous, he afterwards went to the centre position, where he was not so much in evidence. Thomas, on the right . wing, played fast and clever football; he conveved the impression that he would do better at centre forward. Of the rest, Ellis was not prominent, and Colin M’Dougall and Bissett. though displaving occasional flashes of sound tactical play, were not up to the standard of the two wingers.