Association.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18787, 17 June 1929, Page 14

Association.

FEELING RUNS HIGH IN SUMNERST ALBANS MATCH.

Arguing on the field and a display of bad feeling between the teams spoiled what was otherwise a close and exciting game between St Albans and Sumner, played at Richmond Park. There was, at all times, for too much talking on the field. In the closing stages of the game, with the scores 2-all, there were several appeals for fouls and once the referee warned a player.

In the first spell Sumner attacked at the start and went near to scoring several times. St Albans, who showed much better combination and made more use of their opportunities, took play back for C. Angas to score in an empty goal. A moment later a “ hands ” infringement gained St Albans a penalty in the goal-mouth, and Dryden added another point with a low, hard-driven kick. Play was very ragged at this stage. The Sumner players, though a speedy lot, were at times over-eager and did not appear to have proper control of the ball. There was too much high, and for the most part misdirected, kicking, and the players were rarely in position. The St Albans team was not showing its best form, however, and it was only good work by Williamson, their goalie, that saved them on. occasions. At last, after some scrambling play round the goal-mouth, following a centre by Bell, Stoneman slipped one in. From then on Sumner kept up the pressure, bit* V'Vb'-o prevented them from

scoring. In the second spell both teams went better, though the football never reached a high standard. Sumner did most of the attacking and with play mainly on the left wing were finishing off their movements better. A splendid centre by G. Browne, which Stoneman finalised, brought Sumner up level with St Albans. From then on play was very exciting, though characterised by frequent interludes, in which players exchanged comments on various phases of the game until stopped by the referee. For a time there was no score, and play travelled from end to end of the field. A kicking rally took Sumner within striking distance and Browne sent in a hard one, which hit Linley and rolled into the goal. St Albans pressed hard, but failed to increase their score and the pame ended with Sumner winning by 3 to 2. Although Sumner finished in the lead, the St Albans team, on the day’s play, were the better combination. The Sumner eleven played a hard game, but their play lacked finish. With their speed and enthusiasm, however, they should develop with experience into a good side. F. Bell, in the outside left position, proved rather a weak link and spoiled a number of promising movements. Sumner might be advised to again try A. Campbell, who played | there earlier in the season, in this position. The other forwards worked hard, with J. C. Harbutt and G. Browne the more prominent. G. Stiff was the outstanding back at left half. Howarth and the Neville brothers played steady games. G. Cullen and C. Angas were the most prominent players for St Albans at inside left and right respectively. The outside men. Cook and Donaldson, showed a common fault in keeping the ball too long. Dryden at centre-half was the starting point of many attacking movements, and the full-backs, Maynard and Bunt, both shone on defence. Williamson played a safe game between the sticks. WESTERN SUPERIOR IN A POOR GAME. Western met Rangers on Spreydon Park and defeated them by four goals to one. The standard of play generally was far below that which is expected in the senior grade. Neither team was at full strength. Western were without the services of Roberts, Wicks and Clements, while Lorrimer and Richardson were absent from Rangers. Western owed their victory to a superior forward line. Andrews, in goal for Western, played a solid game. He handled cleanly, and his kicking was safe. Considering that he had not played for two seasons, his display was all the more creditable. E. Colville, at full-back, played a hard game throughout, and his powerful kicking continually put his team on the attack. Of a fast half line, Whittington was perhaps the best. He worked hard and was always on the spot when required. Bridgens appeared to be the pick of the forwards. He has a fine turn of speed, and is a dangerous man near goal. Pearston, usually an emergency player, shone on attack and was responsible for three of Western’s total of four goals. Flood, the Rangers’ custodian, was unreliable. His handling was uncertain, and his kicking weak. His save from a penalty, however, was verv creditable. In the back line, W. Barnes was sound in defence, and played a cool game. Mitchell (centre) was the pick of a poor half line. He worked hard from beginning to end. H. Sloan was the best of the forwards, his clever footwork frequently beating the opposition. FAST GAME BETWEEN KAIAPOI AND BRIGHTON. As a result of the draw between Kaiapoi and New Brighton, with the scores 1 all, Ivaiapoi lead the seasiders by S points to 6 at the conclusion of the first round of the Hurley Shield competition. Brighton were unlucky to get no better than a draw, for, on the whole, they had the better of play, and, with a little luck, some attempts at goal in the first spell would have been successful. However, they have no cause to feel downhearted. For a team which was not in the competition last year Kaiapoi performed commendablv, and are improving as the season goes on. Tor good iootball this match will compare favourably with anv that have been played so far. Not only did the players move speedilv, but the combination on both sides was a pleasure to see; and, as both played an attacking game, keeping the ball moving as long as possible, there was a noticeably small proportion o* halts for throw-ins. A feature of the match was the play of S. Bristow, Kaiapoi's right half. Full of speed and guile, and keeping the ball under complete control, he would often dash past half-a-dozen of J the opposition quite unsupported.

his forwards would cultivate the habit of supporting his efforts better, Kaiapoi would be a much more dangerous team. As it was Bristow’s movements were too frequently thrown away for want of someone to cross kick to in the last few yards. New Brighton’s combined work is their most valuable asset. The accuracy of the passing between D. Burns and J. Bird (left and centre half) and their outside forwards could hardly have been bettered. But Brighton lack a good centre forward. C. Falloon played only a satisfactory game, and J. Atkinson, inside left, was weak. Between them they nullified much of the good work of the others, and the brunt of the battle was borne by J. Craickshanks. One fault of the New Brighton players in general is their lack of determination at close quarters. Perhaps it is too much to expect from a team of such fine open players that they should be able to turn on a bullocking game as well. But that is what they need; especially in an encounter with a team like Kaiapoi, who make good use of their weight to get play moving. One bright exception in this respect among the Brighton men was Pat Knight. M. Mitchell, Brighton goalkeeper, maintained his reputation as one of the safest men between the sticks in the senior competition. His team is fortunate in having one so reliable in the last line of defence. The backs, H. Johnson and L. Anstey, are an excellent pair. Brighton’s half line do not shine particularly at defence, but Johnson and Anstey do not seem capable of being given too much work, and no team is likely to get much past them. Johnson seems to be playing better since his trip to Wellington with the representatives. J. Cruickshanks and P. Knight were the best of Brighton’s forwards on Saturday. Knight’s goal was a fine one, shot from left wing, well across the field. He had several other excellent attempts, but it was far from being his lucky day. J. Cockle, left wing, did well. S. Bristow’s play at right half for Kaiapoi has already been mentioned. F. lies, centre half, is also a really good man, needing only a little more finesse to be a first-rater. He is elusive and entirely dependable. His game could bear improvement in the way of giving better attention to the position of his forwards when getting the ball away. Sometimes he only lands it at the feet of the opposing backs. T. Noble began the game as inside left. Later he moved out to right wing and an improvement in the Kaiapoi attack was immediately noticeable. In the second half he sent across a lot of fine stuff. He has a strong and accurate kick. J. Bruce is a capable centre forward. His goal, made from a pass from P. Wells ’in the first half, was a good one. W. Morley and H. Fowler, though not very enterprising, were a very safe back line. M M M A GAME OF THRILLS. Great - things were expected of Nomads and Thistle at English Park on Saturday and great things were provided. Piay was fast and thrilling for almost the full ninety minutes, swinging from end to end with great rapidity. The heavy state of the ground and the players’ sense of the situation told against an exhibition of finished football, but ,much can be forgiven two teams which packed such an abundance of thrills and excitement into one game. The match, which resulted in a goalless draw, must be reckoned one of the most stirring seen on the Park in a long time. The honours of the game territorially were about evenly divided. Poor shooting (mainly the result of over-eager-ness) lost both teams chances, Nomads being the worst offenders. The game was not very old when A. Wilson missed a sitter. He steadied himself for a potential “net-burster” when a tap straight ahead would have got the goal. Thistle had the worst of luck when Trotter drove a warm one square on to the upright and it rebounded safely. Everything considered, the result was the fairest indication of the run of the game.

Wilder gave of his very best in Nomads’ goal. Time and again he was called upon, but come from what angle they might, he dealt in good style with them all. It was a fine display from such a young ’keeper. Graham overshone his partner Mut>croft in the backs, connecting well in his old style. Muscroft mixed good work with mistakes.

J. Wilson (centre) looked the Ijest of the halves. The opposition found him hard to p*ss. Of his supports, Thompson appeals 1 more than Scragg, but both were patchy. Several chus. .re made during the game in the forward line, which consisted of Barwell, Allen, Smith. A. Wilson and Frickleton. The last-named was the pick of the five, his every move showing experience and football brains. Two great cross-shots from his toe brought the crowd to their feet. Smith was a battling centre, but he has played better games. On the wing l first the right and then the left), Barwell seemed to find the pace a little too hot, but there were glimpses of the Barw’ell of oid. Two grand corner-kicks he put across. Allen did not see much of the ball, whilst Wilson’s missed chances stand out in his display. For the Scots, Gwillam also kept a good goal. With less work to do than Wilder, he neverthe l ess brought off some splendid saves. The backs, Johnston and G. Sutherland, were an effective pair, and generally reliable. In the middle line. A. Sutherland filled the centre berth very capably. ITis defence was generally sound and his distribution timely. M’Leod was as tireless as ever, but he made more mistakes than usual. The honours in the forward line went to D. Sutherland. He brought ail his experience and craft to the game and most of the forwards’ raids had him as the prime mover. Trotter was pretty well marked, but he raised Thistle hopes in a few typical solo breaks. Dick was a nippy inside left and Speirs went fairly well in the second forty-five. G. Walker did not show up. An unfortunate incident occurred just before the call of time, when G. Sutherland was sent to the pavilion, allegedly for acting in a threatening manner toward R. Scragg, the Nomads wing-half. With the players keyed up, feeling had occasionally run high, several minor incidents occurring. Sutherland was unfortunate enough to be made an example of.