Association.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18451, 30 April 1928, Page 13

Association.

THISTLE SCORE A SURPRISE WIN. Spectator? at Richmond Park on Saturday were treated to an interesting. if not scientific, exhibition of the code, when Thistle gained a surprise victory over Technical by the odd goal in three. The Scots deserved their win, as. although the play broke about even, they had more finishing ability than their opponents. At no stage did Technical produce their combination of the previous week, this being due chiefly to the fact that there were several changes in the personnel o f th* team. Against this, the winners had a nice understanding, whilst at the same time they contrived to hustle their opponents. Technical had an early let-off, when, from a penalty. Johnston booted wide. Profiting* by this. Technical attacked, and a few minutes later Teichert opened the scoring with a strong drive that squared off the inside of the post. The equaliser came just before the interval. when Lorimer hooked neatly through from the left. Ten minutes after the turn M'Gilp notched the final goal with a “grounder” that C. Teichert failed to get down to. Gwiilam, between the sticks for Thistle, always looked safe. Cool and cciiectod. lie judged everything nicely. A particularly fine save was that from a high drive from Pridgens, when the winger picked up one of his clearances and sent it goalwards, for Gwillatn to put over the bar. Tie was lucky on « nc occasion, when a strong shot from *. he same player beat him all the way, oiiiv to strike the upright. The backs were a fairly strong proposition, with Johnston catching the eye more, but, although he effected several good clearances, he also miskicked a good deal. It must be said that the wind was decidedly trouble- • :ne. but this does not altogether ac- < >unt for the misdirected kicks. Johns'* - u has been seen to much better advantage. A. Sutherland, at centre, was the. pick of the middlemen. His tackling was sound, his footwork good, and his passing judicious. This last feature of k s game was impressive, being worthy of a much more matured player. With ear or two’s experience he should be a centre-half somewhat above the average. Bristow and Arbuthnot. the latter au. ex-Wellington Thistle man. furnished good support, and the trio spoilt a lot of Technical work.

The forwards were a useful lot, with no one outstanding. M’Gilp, late of Lyttelton, was in the centre, and proved somewhat elusive to the Technical defence. A good, honest forward is M’Gilp* The wing men pulled their weight, although Callaghan missed a few opportunities in the second spell. D. Sutherland and Dick showed some pare on the inside. Both were neat. For a stranger to the position, C Teichert acquitted himself fairly well in Technical s citadel. A more experienced “keeper” and one unhampered by a leg injuri*, would, have stopped M’Gilp’s winning effort. Booth and Cawthsray were the Lacks. The former impressed more, hi* partner being inclined. fall back too far when covering him. The halves all worked hard, with J. Teichert catching the eye with his powerful kicking. Muirson, as always, toiled like a Trojan, but his efforts did not bring such good results as usual. Goode and Bridgens were the best r r a moderate forward line. The former wa* a trier from start to finish, and a little more direction in his power- : l drives would have spelt disaster for '• uistle. His only fault was that he crowded Phelps at centre, but this is .--ccounted for by the fact that he is really a centre man himself. Bridgens again used his pace to advantage and put the ball across at the right moment. Jolly was a shade ahead of the other two. Phelps and o*Loughlin. is K * NOMADS D27EAT VILUL. There was & good attendance at North Hagley Park on Saturday, when Nomads met Villa and won by 4 to 0. The winners displayed fine form on both attack and defence. The ball was well controlled throughout, passes were well distributed and there was a fine understanding between the halves and the forwards. Villa infused plenty of dash into their play, but there was just that lack of understanding in the front line to enable the forwards to round off promising attacking moves. The tackling was sound, and the passing at times was excellent. Villa really require the services of a first-class marksman in the front line to make their attack affect ive. The score was a fair indication of the trend of play, but not of the strength of the winning side. A. Walker, the Villa centre half, was the inspiring light of his side. Had he been absent, the Nomads attack would have beep far more effective, and the score might easily have been doubled. Walker dealt very effectively with the Nomads strong left flank, and rendered Trotter practically impotent as a marksman Time after time Walker would take the ball away from the opposition to send his left wing away. The game really