SOCCER.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 146, 22 June 1931, Page 9

SOCCER.

TECHNICAL SURPRISE BY DEFEATING THISTLE. A feature of the Soccer games on Saturday was the evenness of the scores, the Rangers-New Brighton and the Kaiapoi-Western encounters both resulting in draws. In the other games, the victors failed to show their superiority by more than one goal. Technical created a surprise by defeating Thistle, 2-1. As a result of Saturday’s games, Nomads, Rangers, Marist, Thistle, New Brighton and Western will form the senior A division, and the ' remainder will play senior B. A POOR EXHIBITION. Anticipations of a fast, open game at English Park were not realised. The game began tamely and, throughout the first spell, play straggled badly. After the intervals both teams were putting more sting into their play, but it was not uxitil New Brighton equalised half-way through the second session that the action became really brisk. Even then, poor positional play continued to mar the match. Combined efforts were few. The majority of the players seemed to have no enthusiasm for their tasks and indulged chiefly in half-hearted and aimless kicking. Rangers owed a good deal to Robb, their centre-half. He was one of the few enterprising players on the field and, without his constant efforts to force the game, Rangers would have been a sadly-disorganised eleven. Forsyth, at right-half, battled hard on defence from whistle to whistle. In the front line, Smythe alone showed initiative. He was always

working to some purpose, but tha others put no snap into their work. W. Barnes and Lorrimer, the Rangers’ backs, gave a very poor display. Lorrimer played well below form. Between the sticks, E. Barnes brought off one or two very good saves. Cawtherav was invaluable in the New Brighton rearguard. Most of the Rangers’ attacks that did threaten danger stopped at him. Behind him. in goal, Mitchell was safe with most of the shots that came his way. In the halves, Porter, at centre, took . the eye most, but none of the three was reliable. Allen (right wing) and Walls (left wing) were the pick of the forwards. Allen frequently outpaced the defence to carry play down to the Rangers’ goal. Walls showed good control and most of his centres found their billet. TECHNICAL IMPROVE. Technical Old Boys played far and away their best game of the season to defeat Thistle by two goals to one. There is no doubt, however, that Thistle were as good a team. They did the bulk of the attacking and would have scored in the last quarter of an. hour except for the fine defence of G. Sutherland, at left-back, and the extraordinary steadiness of L. Martin, in goal. No doubt the presence in tha Technical team of the three ex-Thistle men, the Sutherland brothers, had much to do with its improved form and with the very keen spirit that marked the game. The original Technical men, though, played much above their past performances; and Thistle, whose exSunnvside reinforcements Jackson, Bond and Purdy—have more than made good, were also a better team than for some games past. Technical showed good combination, but their victory was due to energetic individual play in the first half and to a remarkably strong defence in the second. The outside forwards—P. Tentori and IT. O’Loughlin—went fast and kicked accurately, O’Loughlin notching a goal. The other goal came from the inside left, G. Wilson, who fumbled the ball a good deal in the early stages, but improved later. \Y. Jolly was satisfactory at centre and did some fine solo work, D. Sutherland was on the ball all the way. At centre half A. Sutherland w’as a great success, but his supports, A.' Broadbelt and A. Scott, let a fair amount past on defence. A. Tanner, although he missed once' or twice, played' above* himself at right back; and G. Sutherland, left, who came in for a good deal of buffeting, was the rock which broke many Thistle sallies. L. Martin, in goal, executed some spectacular saves. Combination was the chief feature of Thistle's game, and they exploited it to the full. The success of their mach-

ine-like movements depended largely on the form of the centre forward, but Trotter, on Saturday, was shooting both high and wide. Once he relapsed into the old trick of using the hands in goal mouth. As it was, the only goal came from G. Walker, who played dashingly on the left wing. J. Speirs, outside right, was very prominent in the second half, sending across some fine centres. The forward line went excellently as a unit. W. Bond, on the left, was the half-back who caught the eye most. It was his understanding with J. Jackson, left back, which paved the way for the series of smashing Thistle attacks that marked the close of the game. Thistle will be dangerous against any team they meet from now on.

SUMNER v. NOMADS.

The game at Sumner was fought out at a willing pace, but Nomads showed more decisiveness in front of the goal, and this won for them the match. Sumner missed innumerable chances, when favourably placed, and also adopted the wrong tactics. Nomads were the better-balanced team, and they played much better football than on the previous Saturday. L. Sharr, in goal for Nomads, could not be blamed for the goals which were scored against him. He cleared many dangerous shots, whilst his backs, who were inclined to mis-kick, -supported him at every opportunity. C. Pickup played soundly, and was well supported by the wing halves. The right wing pair showed great improvement and w r ere the most dangerous wingers on the field, G. Goode making nice openings for his wing, which the latter made good use of. P. Smith, at centre, scored two goals through seizing opportunities. The left wing, M. Wilson, and A. Taylor played good football, but lacked finish. C. Harbutt, in goal for Sumner, saved his side repeatedly, particularly when his backs were inclined to dally with the ball in front of the goal instead of clearing without delay. Allen played a safe game, but the halves, particularly in the first spell, were inclined to hold on too long and allowed their forwards to be covered by the opposing defence. H. Jackson, although he played a hard game, was badly at fault when he allowed the opposing centre to take the ball from him and score. D. Bruer and C. Barwell, on the right wing, combined well, but the inside man did not avail himself of opportunities. F. Bell centre, was only fair and did not cooperate with the other forwards. II Stoneman played a sound game, his two goals being great efforts. A. Harland, left wing, although beating his man often, failed to cross the ball effectively with the result that the opposing defence cleared easily. MARIST v. ST ALBANS.

Marist revealed patches of their old form, when at Richmond Park, they defeated fat Albans, 2-1. Marist made ™P re f 1 X e i tart - scoring almost from the kick-oft. They failed to keep the pressure up, however, and manavltd l ° score °nly one more goal. St Albans played one man short, and, defight thlS handicap ’ put U P a plucky M’Rae, who was playing his first game in senior Soccer, gave a promises display between the sticks for Marist. His handling at times was rather uncertain, but this will improve with experience. The display of the full-backs was very patchy. At times they cleared splendidly, but frequently M Rae -was forced to cover up their mistakes. Marist possess a fine trio of halves in P. loai, E. Shirley and W. M’Donald. fahirley was particularly good, his clearances always being marked by excellent judgment. A feature of the game was the fine display of M’Kendry at centre-forward. A tireless worker he kicked with good precision -and was responsible for both the Marist goals Both Harrison and Fleete supported well. Turner and O’Keefe gave sluggish displays. The St Albans goal-keeper, Andrews, gave a good display and, during the latter part of the game, brought off some clever saves. He was well supported by Maynard and Rump, both of whom worked well. The veteran J Dry den, was the pick of the centre halves and his fine defensive play was of great assistance to St Albans. Cullen and Broughton were the pick of the torwards. KAIAPOI v. WESTERN. G. Colville, in goal for Western, played a good game, making the saving of high shots look ridiculously easy. The backs, E. Colville and Kelly, kicked well, but were allowed too much room by the Kaiapoi forwards. The halves did not work as well as usual, apparently missing their usual centre, Roberts, who was unable to play. In the forwards, the left wing, Thompson and Nelson were the pick. Whittington performed creditably on the right wing, where he played owing to an injured ankle. In the first half, Kaiapoi never looked like a winning team, but, during the second spell they more than held their own. Whyte, in goal, gave a sterling exhibition and, no doubt, saved his side from defeat. Two saves from Balloon in the second half, from point blank range, were magnificent, and, on present form, he should be well in the running for representative honours. Morley was the better of the backs, but would be well advised to keep in position. In the halves, Stoddart was outstanding, especially on defence. His passes forward were well directed. Bristow has not yet shown the form which earned him a place in the Canterbury team last year. The forwards, when playing the long, passing game, are all right, but too much fancy play spoiled a number of chances. Noble and Hamilton, on the wings, showed up best, Isles spoiling a good display by getting out of position.

THE LOWER GRADES. JUNIOR, B. Technical B 5, Rangers 0. Lyttelton 5. Villa 0. Thistle 4, Western B 1. Technical A 5, Sumner 4. Fourth. Nomads A 1, St Albans 1. Technical 0.8. 3, St Mary’s 0. Marist 14, Nomads B I. .Fifth. Thistle 4, Y.M.C.A. 1. Brighton 2, Nomads 0. Technical 6, Marist 1. Sixth. Marist 2, St Albans 1. St Bede’s 9, Western B 0. Western A 2, Nomads 2. IN OTHER PLACES. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, June 21. Y.M.C.A. 2. Thistle 1; North Shore 2, Tramurewa 0; Ponsonby 0, Onehunga 0: New Accord 2, Celtic 2. DUNEDIN, June 20. Maori Hill 4, Port Chalmers 1: Northern 3, Mosgiel 4; High School Old Boys 4, Technical Old Boys 1; Seacliff 6, Mornington 4. WELLINGTON, June 21. First A division—Seatoun 4, W.Y.M.T. 1: Diamonds 3, Waterside 2; Petone 2, Thistle 1; Hospital 5, Marist 3.