SOCCER.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20281, 16 April 1934, Page 11

SOCCER.

Promising Form in Opening Games. WIN FOR WESTERN. First-of-season form revealed in the Soccer senior championship games played on Saturday was good. The gusty nor’-wester that blew during most of the afternoon made skilled football impossible, but there was dash and vigour in plenty, promising some keen tussles in later matches. After the defence had held stubbornly during,the first spell, the Rangers’ forwards failed to improve the position and Western took charge against a tiring rearguard to win 3-1. Technical Old Boj-s and showed that the form in their recent practice games was a true guide to their merits by drawing 2-2 in a keen game at Richmond Park. Neither Linwood nor St Albans was at full strength at Linwood Park, where the home team won, 3-1. DESULTORY PLAY. There was little cohesive play in the Linwood v. St Albans game at Linwood Park on Saturday. Both teams bad difficulty in making up full complements; in fact. St Albans played one short ail through, so that, with neither side organised, little or no team-work was seen and the match resolved itself into a series of desultory rushes. Of the new Linwood recruits, C. Liddle and A. Renwick, late of Sumner, I impressed as likely to settle to good football after a few more games. Both were right up with the play, Renwick, particularly, making the most of any opportunities that came his way. C. Whittaker was responsible for some bright work in the left-half position, while W. Thomas, who secured two goals, followed up well. The old St Albans -stalwarts, including J. Dry den and W. Cooke, again turhed out and added the weight of experience to the side. Dryden, especially, still has too many wiles lor the younger players. The eentre-halF, H. Stoddard, once of Kaiapoi. was noticeable for a heady game. He pursues excellent spoiling tactics and in addition can take advantage of. an opportunity. ERA WET G-ASKE. A fast game was witn«issed at Richmond Para when Technical Old Boys drew- with Nomads. Technical were greatly strengthened by the inclusion of J. Teichert, who has returned from the West Ooast. He gave a cool and braitiy display and proved a tower of strength to the defence. A. Bissett, in goal, made his decisions quickly and cleared smartly. W. Clark and D. Weir were sound halves. The forwards lacked penetrating force. T. Walls and K. Greenwood, however, combined well on the left wing, and Walls was unlucky in not scoring. A low pass from Walls to G. Smith resulted in a really fine scoring movement. The Nomads’ team also included some new players. W. Wilson and A. Gordon, both from Linwood. did noble work at right and centre half, and were responsible for the collapse of the Technical attack. L. Fail, another newcomer, gave a finished display at leftback. His placings were in marked contrast to C. Good's powerful but unreliable clearances. D. M’Rae, the custodian, was rarely troubled. His fumbling was responsible for the first goal, and he had little show with the second: F. Adams. C. Sharr, C. Pickup and A. Trotter played well and were always prominent on attack. Trotter’s pass to Pickup, who equalised, was a product of experience. The game was fast and clean throughout, and was well managed by the referee, Mr G. Craile. RANGERS’ WEAK ATTACK. Weakness in attack cost Hangers the game. A. Wilson alone was dangerous —the others lacked either ball control or penetrative ability, or both. Defence was the stronger feature of both teams’ play. Western’s forwards,; playing with a strong wind the first spell, found the Rangers’ defence, particularly that of the backs, E. and W. Barnes, very sound, but they had several chances that better finishing would have; converted into They struck bet-, ter form against the wind, which! dropped considerably during the interval, and there was an attractive snap; in their seconcl-ha.ll’ display. Two newcomers to Western’s forward line gave promising displays. Donovan 1 sent across some excellent centres from ! the left wing, and there was determination in his dribbling. G. Ellis, insideright, showed that he knew the shortest way to the goal, even if bis first-half marksmanship was not accurate. Ives was as forceful as ever. He bullocked his way past balf the Rangers' defence to score Western's third goal. Bridgens was out of position at centre-forward—-he can serve his team much better on the wing. The gusty wind gave players the chance to show their ability to control the hall when facing it. One who did was Cawtheray, right-back for the winners. He kept the l>all down all the tune, and his gront-lin e men profited accordingly. Jackson, too. Rangers’ custodian, showed good judgment in his placement of bye-kic-ks while the wind was particularly violent. Some solid half-back play was seen on both sides. Robb was robust as Rangers’ pivot, and Henderson (right) and A. E. Ellis. Western’s wing-halves, worried the opposition all through. Miller, at right-half for Rangers season* ,nrprovement on his form of last Wellington Games. Per Tress association. T . e w WELLINGTON, April 15. WeHingtori Soccer season opened on Saturday. Results:—Senior division r ' bcnt Hu-tt 5. Waterside. 1 beat Diamonds 0, Marist 5 beat Swifts 1, Petone 3 beat NacLa 3.