SOCCER REVIEWED.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXIV, Issue 846, 21 August 1933, Page 10

SOCCER REVIEWED.

Thistle’s Defeat Increases Championship Interest. NOMADS DESERVED WIN. Interest in the final stages of the senior championship will be increased as a result of Thistle’s defeat on Saturday’. With two matches to play’, Thistle will have to score two wins to be certain of heading Western, who. with one game to play, now lead Thistle by one point. Nomads, too, a point further back, might possibly achieve a tie with the two present leaders. It is fairly’ certain, however, that the issue will lie between Thistle and Western. Technical Old Boy’s continued their winning way on Saturday, this time against St Albans, and Rangers just got home from Linwood. DESULTORY PLAY. The most noticeable feature of the early game at English Park was the woeful lack of energy and want of cohesion shown by both teams. Techvd * V mf ?hed two up on St Albans, and that indicates their superiority, hut neither side played anything like the football of which they are capable. M. Gordon, the Technical centre-half, was the outstanding player. He has come back to form after a few mediocre displays and on Saturday he was prominent both on defence and on attack. His second goal after a good solo effort was worth watching. D. Weir was again in the picture and was on hand to register a good goal from close in. G. Smith, who snapped up every chance that came his way. was the best of the front line. St Albans are fortunate in having a useful pair of backs, for J. Dryden (right) and *G. Rump (left) had plenty to do. A. Cullen, in goal, was never sure in handling and did not impress. The halves were fair and the forwards had their moments, but there was an almost total absence of concerted effort. N. Bilcliff, a promoted junior, showed up in flashes on the right wing, but he needs more experience. W. Cook, on the left flank, swung into several likely movements. LINWOOD UNLUCKY. Rangers’ victory over Linwood at Linwood Park was due to sifperior combination for a decisive ten minutes and a temporary’ slackness in the Linwood defence. H. Sloane and A. Smyth were the pick of the Rangers forwards, and C. Falloon scored with a neat ground shot. A. Wilson played a forceful game as centre-half and registered a fine goal from well out. He was ably supported by P. Toal. who displayed neat footwork. The backs indulged in wild kicking, leaving the ’keeper, A. Wilder, with a solid task. Linwood were without the services of Wilson and Bremford, but fielded a full team. P. Allen played in goal, but did not look the part. He was beaten by two hard shots. A. Gordon and J. Thornton were the pick of-the defence. Gordon particularly impressed by his energetic display. J. Cruickshanks and S. Rollins paired well on the left, but W. Thomas, who scored their only goal, showed an inclination to hang on to the ball. H. Wilkins, a junior player, was outside right. He show’s promise of developing into a fine forward. ▲ STEADY DEFENCE.

Nomads were perhaps fortunate that the regular players absent were both forwards. It left their usual defence intact and it was on steady defence that Nomads won. Thistle’s absentees were a back, a half-back and a forward, and the “regulars” appeared to lack confidence in the substitutes, leading to loss of combination. This was partially recovered in the second spell, but Nomads never appeared in danger of defeat. A. Sutherland’s absence from the centre-half position for Thistle had a big influence on the game. A. Walker was not nearly so confident there as on the left, and his spreading of his efforts in an endeavour to support Hall let Nomads through fairly frequently. Credit is due to the Nomads forwards, however, for their aggressive, enterprising display. Adams revelled in his new task of playing at centre, and, although his distribution to his wings was often at fault, his thrust and energy were responsible for tw’o of Nomads’ goals. L. Douglas gave another promising display, this time at inside-left. H. Douglas, a lower-grade player, showed useful speed and ball control on the left wing-, and Sharr sent over some good balls from the other wing. Goode again defended solidly at rightback,* using his powerful kick to ad- i vantage, and Hall kept the Nomads goal clear from some “ hot ones.” The disorganisation of the Thistle half line extended in lesser degree to the full-backs Carter, substituting for Johnston, kicked cleanly when he was on the spot, but too often he was not on it. G. Sutherland frequently had to do what Carter should lijive done, and this led to some misunderstandings with Mitchell, in goal. Among the Thistle forwards, Adam's tendency to run back with the ball was more pronounced than usual, and this nullified some of Thistle’s attacks. The Nomads defence, however, solid without being spectacular, had most to do with Thistle’s downfall. In Other Places. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, August 20. Y.M.C.A. 2. Tramways 1: Comrades 4, Glen Innes 4; Abels 3, North - Shore 1; Ponsonby 6, Onehunga 2; Thistle 2. New Lynn 1. WELLINGTON. August 20. Marist 3, Waterside 2: Diamonds 3. Hospital 1: Hutt 6, Swifts 2. Auld Memorial semi-final: Petone 4. Technical 0. DUNEDIN. August 20. Seacliff 3, Roslyn-Wakari 1; Mosgiel 10. Port Chalmers 2: Maori Hill 2. Mornington 1: High School Old Boys 5, Technical Old Boys 2. SCOTTISH LEAGUE. United Prcsa Assn.—By Electrlo Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, August 19. Following are the results of Saturday's games in the Scottish League Association football competition:— First Division: Airdrieonians 0. Aberdeen 1; Ayr 4, Hearts 3; Celtic 2, Falkirk 2: Cowdenbeath n. Queen’s Parle 2: Dundee 1, Clyde 1; Hibernians 0, Rangers 0; Motherwell 1, St Johnstone 0: Pnrtick Thistle 2. Kilmarnock 3; St Mirren 2. Hamilton 3: Third Lanark 1, Queen of the South 2. Second Division: Alloa 1, Dundee United 2: Dumbarton 2, King’s Park 1: East Fite 2, Leith 1 : East Sterling 5. Raith 1: Forfar 3, Albion 1: Montrose 2, Arbroath 1; Morton 4, Edinburgh 0; St Bernard's 2. Brechin 1; Stenhousernuir 3. Dunfermline 1.