SOCCER REVIEWED.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20340, 25 June 1934, Page 11

SOCCER REVIEWED.

Poor Keeping Helped Western. THISTLE WIN AGAIN. After a bright and even first spell. Western took charge in their Chatham Cup match with Technical Old Boys on Saturday, and won 5-1. There was not four goals’ difference between the teams on the day. Kirk’s poor keeping gave Western two goals and it must have had a big moral effect cm his team-mates. Western and Thistle will meet in the local section final of the competition. Thistle, with A. Walker, A. Sutherland and G. Clements away, won their Hurley Shield match with St. Albans, 4-0. St. AJbans offered a bustling opposition but they lacked thrust and finish. In the other Hurley Shield game, Nomads, who missed two penalties in the'final few minutes, again drew, 2-2, with Rangers. On a heavy ground, play in the spell of the Technical Old BovsWestern match was surprisingly fast and lively. There were some excellent passing bout*, with Smith, Technical centre-forward, prominent. All through, he swung the bull to his wings splendidly, at the right moment and to just the right place. Cragg.s recovered his usual form at outside-right. He worried the defence constantly and put over some excellent centres, varied just often enough with judicious shooting. Roberts made his first appearance this season, in the centre-half berth for Western. He was a fraction slow all through but his placements were as deft as ever. Although Kirk hundred it, and should have saved it, it was a clever lobbed shot with which Roberts notched Western's second goal. Ives, playing at left-half, frequently set his forwards attacking in the early stages, but his kicking lost accuracy later. Kirk's unreliable handling must have tnken some of tire heart out of the Old Boys. He received a severe shaking in a»i early collision with Falloon, but from the start he did not look safe. He commenced the season well and he is capable of better displays than this. Teichert, right, was the safer of the Technical hacks, but bis clearances seldom converted defence into attack. S. Elli.s, Falloon and G. Ellis, Western’s inside forwards, were always fast on to the hall and against their aggression the Technical halves did not shine. S. Ellis was also playing his first game this season. Running with the harriers has kept him fit and he showed surprisingly good form. He revealed more penetrative ability than in his last few appearances. White, the exEinwood and former West Coast player, was in Western's goal. In a fairly light task, he did not impress greatly. He brought a good reputation from Westland, however, and more regular playing may find him living up to it. :: THRILLING FINISH. Richmond” Park 1 on Saturday, when Rangers shared the points with Nomad.s. Nomads started with ten men, hut the vacancy was filled after five minutes’ play. The Rangers forward line lost many opportunities through lack of cooperation. but their shooting was of fair standard. K. Barn'es does not impress at centre forward as he does at outside right. 11. Sloane was the Pick of the forwards, and G. Cullen's goal showed how opportunities should he taken. D. Millar, F. Robb and L. Anstfv were the be.st of the defence. T. Jackson performed his task well and brilliantlv saved one penalty kick. Nomads were without C. Hharr. whose place was filled by M. Wilson. The forwards worked well as a unit but their goals were gained by enterprising dashes by Trotter and D. Douglas. Douglas, particularly, catches the eye as the coming outside left for Canterbury. His tricky runs and tenacity when following up are prominent features. C. Pickup and A. Cordon were up to their usual standard, and D. Barrie, a newcomer, was more than a match for his co-marker. E. Fail and O. Good were reliable and relieved N. M'Rae of much anxiety. M’Rae handled quickly and cleanly and was unfortunate in not saving a penalty. The closing stages were interesting, there being three penalties in the last seven minutes. COLOURLESS DISPLAY. St Albans had a great chance against Thistle, hut slow following up combined with inability to snap at opportunities lost them goals. Thistle took the field without A. Sutherland, A. Walker and G. Clements, with the result that they were lacking their usual solidity, but still they finished four goals r< lrpad. .J. Patou, who went to centre-half, was obviously out of position and tailed to hold the team together well. He was systematically worried by H. Stoddart. who played a battling game throughout. .T. Bruce was the pick of the Tbi.stle front line which was singularly lacking in penetrative ability. Mis-kicking was a feature of the St Albans play and strangely enough J. Dryden was an offender in till.* respect. If the St Albans side had played up to the standard of the half-backs, J. Diddle, H. Stoddart and C. Cook, the result of the gamp would have been different. W. Cook, in goal, made some excellent saves. X. Donovan, who has transferred from Western, should prove an acquisition to St Alban.*. Donovan played bright football for Sumner juniors last year, but so far this seaspn he has failed to reproduce his best form. In Other Places. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, June U. Chatham Cup eliminating round—Y.M.C.A. Eastern Suburbs 1 ; Ponsop.by 0. Abel’s 0. Championship games—Thistle 5. Onehunga 0: Comrades 3. Mount Albert Grammar School Old Boys i. XA PIER. June 23. Y. S. Wanderers l: Hastings Fnited 1. Rangers 0; Whakatu defeated Tobacco Factory bv default. WELLINGTON. June 2 1. Marist 3. Waterside 1: Hospital 2. •. Diamonds 3, Hutt 2; Felone 5. GREYMOUTH, June 23. Dobson 1. Grey mouth 1. DUNEDIN, June 24. Technical Old Boys 5. Northern 3; SeaclifT 1, Roslvp-Wnkari 0; High School Old Boys 7. Mornington 1; Maori Hill