SOCCER REVIEWED.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXIV, Issue 804, 3 July 1933, Page 11

SOCCER REVIEWED.

Thistle Win Easily from Nomads A. LINWOOD SPRING SURPRISE. Thistle, Western, Linwood and Technical Old Boys remain in the local section of the Chatham Cup contest, following Saturday’s first round games. Nomads A disputed matters in a stirring opening twenty minutes at English Park, but Thistle gradually gained the upper hand and finally won easily, 4-0. Nomads’ second team did not extend Western, who won 5-1. Linwood creat- ■ ed the day’s surprise by running their score into double figures. Certainly St Albans were one short, but 10-0 was an exceptional result. In a fairly close contest Rangers went under to’ Technical Old Boys, who won 4-2. NOMADS “ A ” WELL BEATEN. Almost as soon as the terrific pace of the first twenty minutes had slackened, Thistle’s superiority over Nomads was apparent. It became more marked after the interval, when the Thistle halves, their work made easy by the badly-directed passing of the Nomads halves, dominated the game. Instead of concentrating their attack at a. particular point. Nomads attempted to match Thistle’s positional play, and accurate passing, and they were well beatBoth offensively and defensively, the Thistle halves—Paton, A. Sutherland and A. Walker—were sound all through. The attacks that did pass them usually stopped at the backs, and Mitchell’s task in goal was a light one. Clements gave an improved display at right wing for the winners, putting across same accurate centres. His goai was a good one, fast along the ground. D. Sutherland, too, was alvvavs troublesome with determined runs and powerful snap shooting. Muscrol't, absent from senior football for several seasons, turned out again for Nomads, and gave a solid display at right back. His partner, Streeter, frequently mis-timed his kicks. Although they were all useful on defence, particularly Adams, the Nomads halves made little ground when in possession. Pickup showed the best control, but he was repeatedly outrun. The experiment of inter-changing positions on the right wing did not succeed. On til's inside. Sharr seemed to be looking for the clearer run that, as a winger, he is accustomed to getting, and, outside, -Goode’s lack of close control made him a fairly easy target for A. Walker. Trotter worked hard in the centime, but did not receive many openings, and on the left, Douglas frequently made ground in good style. A KEEN GAME.. The Technical v. Rangers game at Spreydon No. 1 was full of incidents throughout, many fine movements being staged by both sides. The plav was hard and fast, and there were a few casualties which called for first aid. “ Rangers were beaten by a better team.” were the words of a Rangers supporter. Technical showed that they can take hard knocks and maintain t.heir usual /dash. The forwards combined well. Smith keeping the scoring wingers. Walls (l) and Graggs (2) well supplied. Th*? halves were nippy on attack. M. Gordon went through to score with several of the forwards offside; fortunately he did not pass. The defence of Weir and Clarke was a fine example of the "team first ” rule. Milne and Nv?ate were steady in the backs, hot. Bissett had plenty to do to keep out a heavy, bustling forward line. The Rangers forward line has greatly improved with the inclusion of C. Falloon at centre, and with E. Barnes outside right. Barnes particularly was forceful, and registered a fine goal by following through. Smythe, Sloan and Goddard also displayed good form. The halves did good work, but had to rely on the help of thte inside forwards when hard pressed by combined Technical raids. Anstey and W. Barnes paired well, but Barnes later became a backmimber, due to an injury received in the second spell. Lorimer in goal handled cleanly, but was given no chance with three good shots, and was unfortunate with another when it bounced off the back of Barnes and went, into the net. Off-side play was the only blemish in a really fine game. j{ ♦.* ♦.* WESTERN'S EASY WIN. Western had no difficulty in defeating Nomads B at Richmond Park. The game resulted in football of a mediocre standard, and it was a pity that such a young and inexperienced team Avas allowed to challenge for the Chatham Cup. When the winners had obtained five goals in about thirty minutes, they slowed down and took things very easily. The clever headwork and footwork of the Westerners showed howweak the Nomads were in these departments. However, the latter have some promising youngsters in L. Barry, D. Ames and S. Deans. The last-named was smart in goal, and. saved numerous points by his sure handling. L. Barry, on the left wing, was occupied in checking Whittington, and did this quite satisfactor.il y. The work of the Western team showed up well against such a weak side as Nomads. S. Cawtheray and R. Henderson were always difficult to head off, while W. Whittington, at rightwing, missed very few opportunities of feeding his associates, J. Haley and W. Ives. Some sure footwork was indulged in by A. M’Millan and L. Poole, whose goals were excellently shot. The second spell saw Nomads play much better. They put more vim and vigour into their work, the result being that Western did not score any points. RUNAWAY VICTORY. Linwood scored a runaway victory over St Albans, piling up ten goals to thein opponents’ nil, and never at any time were St Albans really dangerous. Severely handicapped by the absence of the centre-half, the side was disorganised. The St. Albans men, too, were inclined to “ wait for the other fellow ” instead of tackling him at once. The Linwood forwards were always forceful, W. Wilson, centre-forward, and P. Allen, right-wing, especially catching the eye. Wilson; former right-half, was an excellent pivot with good ball control and plenty of penetrative ability. He netted four goals. Four also fell to P. Allen, who was dangerous whenever he got the ball. The backs, A. Porter and T. Waddell, were sound and usuallv were able to clear effectively. C. Whittaker at left-half showed up in spoiling work and was always handy to intercept passes intended for Hulme on the St Albans right wing. Although the. veteran of the team, J. Dryden, is still the mainstay of St Albans. On Saturday he combined the work of centre-half and right-back, and in spite of heavy odds he refused to be hustled. The wing halves, L. Lindley and J. Diddle, worked hard, but were not able to achieve a great deal. The wingers, N. Hulme (right) and N. Harrison (left) were the best of a mediocre front line. Representative Match on Wednesday. The representative Soccer game between the Relief Workers’ Association and the Mid-Week Association will take place at English Park on Wednesday next, at 2.30. Mr E. B. Harris will referee. The Relief Workers are very grateful to the Mayoress (Mrs Sullivan) for her action in awarding a beautiful trophy for competition amongst the teams under treir jurisdiction. in all probability, the trophy will be on view at Wednesday’s game. As further evidence of Mrs Sullivan’s interest in the game, she has agreed to be present to kick-off on Wednesday. The selectors of both teams have made a good choice, and a fine exhibition of the code will be given. In all probability a collection will be taken up during the game. The Canterbury Football Association has generously granted the use of English Park free of charge.