SOCCER

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXII, Issue 19367, 25 July 1925, Page 6

SOCCER

NOTES AND COMMENTS (By “Afton Lad.’’) The weather last Saturday was ideal for Soccer, and a stage further was reached in the Association ('up contest. ’Shops, by their victory over Mills, have practically made the Cup their’s once more. ’Shops adapted themselves much bettor to the condition of the ground than Mills, who appear to play better when the ground is a bit, sticky. i The game was interesting at times. ! and good play was witnessed from both teams. The inclusion of H. Taylor m the ’Shops back division added strength to that part of the defence, and his display was hailed wit}) delight by the ’Shops’ many supporters. The left-back position has been giving cause for anxiety all the season, but if Saturday's form is any criterion, then that problem is solved and H. Tav lor has come to stay. Richards played his usual sound game. No more wholehearted player dons the red and green jersey than Richards. The half backs ! were also at the top of their game, and both Newsham and May should bo the wing halves in the next rep. match. Healey, the veteran of the team, still plays with great dash and was a tower of strength at centre-half. Forward, Maekley and Cooper were again in irresistible mood, This pair know each other’s play to a nicety, and it is pretty to watch how they change places when one of them has occasion to move to the right or left. Interchangeable movements are rarelv seen i in Wanganui, and forwards would do well to practise this when the opportu nity comes their way. Maekley’s total of goals is now twenty-two. and he is easily the most den die m ” in front of the net that Wanganui has possessed in the Soccer code. Walker, in goal for Mills, held some grand shots and co ild not be blamed for the ones that beat him.

Proudfoot was the bettor back; ho is improving with every game. G.li - i>--good enough tackler, but his fielding of the ball loaves a 10l tn be desired, Ho would make a much bettor halfback The halves were hardly up + o their usual standard of play. RitchL being perhaps tin' best, of the trio. Lockie. who has boon Dip mainstay of the Mills’ defence all the season, can be excused for one off day.

The forwards could make little head wav against the 'Shops rock-like defence. Ikdlantyno tried hard, his over eagerness being at limes his very un doing.

The Mills’ supporters and players were disappointed on Saturday, as a win would have placed Ihom at the top of the table. However, thev took their defeat like mon and patiently await the dawn of a bettor day. Th? Cook’s Gardens tussle was very uninteresting owing to both teams bning under strength. Savage returned to guard lhe fort for the Saints, and did all that was required of him. I,atty was th? Letter back on lhe day for th? Saints. The halves al! played well, with little ahead of the others. The forwards on both sides wore very dr minted. East brook? defence played well throughout. Webster giving a great x hibition b-.-k play, (’lapham played :1 gr:.u. • at right-half, bis forcing work !> feature of the game. Glov'-i < always whore the attach: was thick'-'!, and it was no fault of his that the ’Brooke didn’t equalise. The incident which happened during the game is worthy of mention. Offside tactics were being freely indulged in. and Referee Stirratt had occasion 1m pull the Saints’ forwards un once when thev were nicely placed. Some of th? forwards were inclined to dispute the decision when one of the Saints inter jected with the remark: “That’s enough, boys. The ref croc says off-side, and that’s th? end of it.’’

Players would do well to remember these words: “The referee says so. and that’s the end of it.” At the Association meeting on Monday. th? Manawatu match was discussed. and arrangements made accordingly.' This match is du? on August 8, with Cook’s Gardens the venue. It was also decided to try and get a Mana watu junior team to come that day and do buttle with the Wanganui juniors bv wav of a curtain-raiser.

’ Davidson, of Woollen Mills, made anplication for a transfer to St. John s, which was granted. The W.E.A. expect an international match on August 22, lhe game is to be England. Ireland. Th? Colonies versus Scotland. The poxvers that be seem to be setting “Auld Scotia” a big task, but by choosing the right, men her “exiled sons’’ should keep the old standard waving proudly in th? breeze. Final arrangements for this attractive fixture will be made nt the next F.A. meeting.

JUNIOR JOTTINGS. The juniors provided the best gam? in the city last Saturday. It was keen and fast throughout, both teams striving hard for victory. The Caleys are a nice moving team, and have very little to learn in the science of Soccer. St. John’s rely a great deal on speed, sacrificing some of the finer point.'- of the game in doing so. However, with a little more practice in passing the ball properly, they ought to develop into a sound junior combination. In view of the expected junior match with Mannwatu. a Possible v. Probable game will be played to-day. All players to be on the ground at 1.30.

SENIOR GAMES FOR TO-DAY. St. John’s v. ’Shops, on Cook’s Gardens. Eastbrooke B v. Woollen Mills, on No. 1 Victoria Park. ’Shops B having dropped out. of th? competition. Eastbrooke’s first string are without a fixture. The game on Cook's will he a hard one, as St John’s always keep their

finest displays for the -’Shops. They will have to go some to even get a draw. Mills should gain a victory at the expense of the ’Brooke B. CUP TABLE TO DATE. P. W. L. D. F. A. P. ’Shops 4 3 0 1 13 7 7 Eastbrooke .. 4 22 0 7 8 4 Mills 4 12 1 G 10 3 St. John’s .... 4 1 3 0 6 7 2 The following will represent Eastbrooke v. Woollen Mills at A ietoria Park:—Cropper, Webster, McLeod, Curtis, Glover, May, Beckett, AlcCrackcn, Law, Killeen, Adams, Clapham, McDonald.