SOCCER

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 111, 13 May 1931, Page 4

SOCCER

_ (u-j

"ABBOTSFORD."

A larger crowd than usual attended Cook’s Gardens on Saturday to sec the encounter between the 11.M.5. Veronica team and tho Wanganui representative team. Much was expected from the game and the. spectators were not disappointed. Judging by the opening play it looked as if the sailors would be too good for the locals, but as the match progressed Wanganui found their game in no uncertain fashion, with the result that the fixture reached a higher standard than was looked for. So far as territorial advantage went Wanganui were in front, but a weakness in the last line of defence gave the sailors two gift goals. The game throughout was played in a fine sporting spirit, even though the players put, their whole weight iu. With only two minutes to go and a goal up, it looked any odds on Wanganui, but a dying effort frem the sailors saw the score equalised. So far as the individual players are concerned all played well, while some played really brilliantly. Campion, in goal for tho visitors, had a lot of work to do and ho did ia weii. His clearances were always neat and clean. Barton was a better back than Willis by virtue of his excellent placing of tho ball. Timo after time he cleared his lines when hard pressed and there was no rashness about his kicking. His clearances invariably found his own team-mates, with the result that defence was quickly turned to attack. In a strong half line, Chapman impressed the most. His defence was good all through and his transfers down Ihe centre between the Wanganui backs caused a lot of trouble. Both wing-halves also pulled their weight and put in a good afternoon’s work. In the forward lino the extreme wingers, Tadman and Stanford, showed up tho most. Both were speedy and dangerous when on the ball and if Tadman had been better supported a different result might have been the outcome. Sparrowhawk at centre was always ready for anything that came his way and made a good connecting link between the two wings. Wanganui Players. Chessnut was the weak link in the local team, two of the goals being directly attributed to him. However, in fairness to this player, it must be stated that he had a damaged hand. Both Neilson and Proudfoot defended well and camo out of the game with credit. Both tackled fearlessly and their kicking was fair throughout. The half-line was responsible for some clever work and also for initiating some fine movements. Dickson was tho shining light of tho division, his placing of the ball being a treat to watch. Gillon played a roving game and wherever tho play was hottest George was there. Kidd was a bit weak in the first spell, but the second half saw him playing a really good game. However, a little more first time work instead of dribbling the ball would improve this player. Tho forwards were in great form, and it would be hard to say who was best. Tho young right wing came out of the game with credit, his quick dashes for goal often having the opposition guessing. Tho left wing got more of the ball and Killeen and Bain struck up a nice understanding. This wing, however, was unable to penetrate so quickly as tho left, due to a habit of turnin * with the ball. At centre, Holland distributed play well but did not find his best shooting form. Taking it all over it was a game that will bo talked about for some time to come and may have been the means of giving some of the younger school an idea of how Soccer should be played. Barracking. A feature of Saturday ’s game was the barracking indulged iu by the Navy men, of whom a fair number were present. The sailors helped their own men on with their shouts, but none were quicker than they to applaud good play by the locals. Their barracking was clean and amusing and was absolutely free from abuse. A little of the same stuff in our local games would be a help to the code. Management Items. The management committee held its usual meeting on Monday night. An application from Christie (Athletic) for a transfer to K.P.’s. was granted, conditional on the player receiving a clearance from his present club. Following an animated discussion it was decided ou a second vote to postpone all games on Saturday on account of the races. The starting time for junior games was altered to 1.30 p.m. Appreciation of the secretary’s work in completing arrangements for Saturday’s game was placed on record. Starting Time. Owing to the shortness of daylight senior games will commence at 2.30 until further notice. Trip to Canada. It was generally understood that when the Canadian team paid a visit to New Zealand, a return visit by a New Zealand team would follow jr. similar terms. There is no cliance of the trip taking place this year, first, for financial reasons, and then for the reason that a British team will be touring Canada this season. Had the financial outlook been normal, one would have thought, that the visit of a British and a Now Zealand team would have been a great attraction in Canada, and that a scries of thrfecorncrcd contests would have been very popular. The Canadian Association has written saying that if a Now Zealand team is taking part in the Olympic Games next year it could be assured of hearty co-operation from the Canadian body. One would like to know exactly what, is meant by that. This is a question which should he looked into carefully by the New Zealand Council, as the visit, to the Olympic Games, while it. may bring kudos, will probably not bring any eash toward the expenses of the team, and L doubt, if the New Zealand Council is prepared to finance such a trip without the prospect of something on the other side of the ledger.