Association.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18450, 28 April 1928, Page 5

Association.

WESTERN V. ST ALBANS.

Although, in the first few minutes, St Albans pressed so hard that they had the Western defence working at full pressure, 'Western returned and by wellcombined play kept the game for some time in the St Albans half. The game was very ragged and the long, uncut grass on the field did not help matters.

WniiamßwJHJaf just able*to cTenr 'from melees in the goal mouth! A good clear-

put Western in possession. They took the ball well down and Falloon passed to Nelson, who put in a bright shot from close in. Shortly after, Western were again in a good position, IHit Kennedy, who was in po.«gession, hesitated too long and Williamson cleared. Half time was called soon after with the

Western 1, St Albans 0. On resuming Kennedy and Falloon got possession and Falloon, in a magnificent lush, took the bail right to the goalmouth, where Maynard, in attempting to clear, goaled. St Albans appeared to buck up, and gave the Western defence a bad few minutes. Western again pressed, and after a long struggle in front of the goal, Nelspn deceiving close in from Roberts, beat Williamson with a hot pne. St Albans then pressed, but ragged play did not permit them to score. Western came back with a strong rush, and Roberts scored. Western returned straight after the kick, but seemed. now to have lost their dash and hung round for some minutes without doing any good. Roberts, after Western had been near the St Albans' goal .for some time, put in a shot which hit the crossbar. However, in attempting to punch

out, Williamson goaled. Shortly after time was called with the score:— WESTERN H ST ALBANS 0 Mr W. Smyth refereed.

TECHNICAL V. THISTLE

The opening pace was brisk, and both goals were threatened in the first five minutes. A judicious pass by A. Sutherland let Lorimer away for Thistle, and the winger’s high, dropping shot almost got under the bar. A minute later some tight work in Technical's goal area saw Thistle awarded a penalty, .1. Teiehert. being the offender. A. Johnson made a very weak attempt from the spot-kick. Technical took a hand, and from a corner J. Teiehert scored with a low drive that turned off the post. Technical 1, Thistle 0. Thistle had a chance with M’Gilp in front, but Teiehert gathered a “ grounder ” nicely. At the other end T. Teiehert raised Technical hopes with a smashing drive that beat both the keeper and the goal. Several promising attacks bore no fruit, until Lorimer hooked one through for Thistle. Half-time came with the ball in mid-field, and the score:— Technical 1, Thistle 1.

Technical resumed with the wind and sun. In the seventh minute Bridgens had the worst of luck with a ball which Gw ill am, the Thistle keeper, never saw and which struck the wrong side of the P °Three minutes later M’Gilp put Thistle ahead with a daisy-cutter that C. Teiehert failed to get down to. Technical rallied desperately, and Goode went close with two or three long range speculators. Technical had a chance from a free kick for hands, but Goode’s kick was cleared by Gwillam. Bridgens banged back the clearance, for Gwillam to save in fine style.

With five minutes to go. both teams were crowding on the pace, but the final whistle sounded with the score unchanged.

THISTLE TECHNICAL Referee—Mr J. Stout.

VILLA V. NOMADS.

The game between Nomads and Villa commenced half an hour late at Hagley Park. Nomads were unable to make much headway in the first spell against the strong wind, but in the second session they settled down to give a nice exhibition of combined play. Tbe Villa defence was sound throughout. Nomads kicked off and immediate!y assumed the

offensive. Wilson made a nice opening- on the left flank, but Trotter was fenders. A. Walker kept Nomads out

for a while by clever defence until Wilson tore down the wing and centred right into the penalty area for Trotter to kick a good goal. Nomads I. Villa 0. Assisted by a strong wind Villa set up a scries of hot attacks on the Nomads' goal, but M’Dougall, when tested, was found to be very safe. Nomads made a few excursions into Villa territory, but the strong: wind plaved antics with the ball and upset combination. Villa kept up the offen-

sive but were unable to take advantage of a decidedly favourable wind to open their scoring account. Just before half-time Trotter shot another good goal from a melee in front. At the Interval the score was:— Nomads 2, Villa 0. Nomads set up an insistent attack in the second half and made use of the wind for long range .shots, which mostly went over the top of the goal. Wilson shot a beautiful cross goal kick, which Jackson cleared very cleverly. Bryan and Ellis also had shots which went over the top. The defence of the Villa backs, combined with the tricky wind were the chiet factors in rendering the Nomads centre, Trotter, impotent when close to the goal. An infringement in goal by Jackson gave Trotter a penalty kick and he made no mistake In scoring the hat trick.. Just before time, 1 hompson added a goal with a long-range shot. Final score:— NOMADE 4 VILLA 0 Mr Heskett was referee.