SOCCER

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 147, 24 June 1931, Page 4

SOCCER

1

"ABBOTSFORD.")

Competition games will be resumed on Saturday when the local association 1 will stage the first games in the cup 'I competition. Ou Cook's Gardens Thu attraction on Cook’s Gardens will ibe the game between K.P.’s and East,l brooke. Going on past results there is • little to choose between the respective teams, the first game going to K.P.’s > by a single goal, while the second I game ended in a draw. K.P.’s, as win ners of the shield, will be the more fancied team, but Eastbrooke are a 1 vastly improved combination if one can judge by their latest displays. And tho “reds” will have to go all out to collect the points. Athletic and Thistle Athletic and Thistle will be in oppo sition on Victoria Park, and the result, of this game appears very open. Athletic have beaten tho ‘‘jags” twice already this season, scoring 11 goals to Athletic’s 6, so that form points to Athletic being the stronger, team. The > “whites” fell from graco last Satur day, however, and will have to play a vastly better game if they hope to overcome the blues. Athletic Well Beaten In quest of Chatham Cup honours, Athletic made the trip to Palmerston on Saturday to try conclusions with St. Andrew’s, but gave a disappointing ; display. Ground conditions were any- • thing but perfect, but even allowing for this handicap, the whites can take little credit from the game. Kight from the first whistle the Saints took com- • mand, and by swinging the ball about they had tho Athletic defence in a tangle. The half-backs could not cope with tho fast-moving homo forwards with tho result that the full-backs were generally over run. When tho Athletic players did get the ball their placing ; and field-work was crude and generally ! allowed the opposing defence plenty of time to clear. Another weak point in the Athletic defence was the failure oi either of the backs to cover the goal while Chessnut, was taking the goalkiaks, a failing that was amply demonstrated when tho Saints scored theii fourth goal. Half time found the home , team leading on their merits by four goals, and although Athletic responded with one in the second spoil, tho Saints promptly put another two in the net. Coming down to the individual players, the home goalie had a very easy time of it, and could not be blamed for the goal registered against him. Both full-backs kicked and tackled cleanly, with Claridgo being slightly better than Coombs. Corkindale was the best of the halves, although Thomson was not far behind him. The whole forward lino played well, but special mention must be made of the left wing, Stewart and Lyons. Playing with perfect. understanding they had the “white” defence guessing all the time and to them must, go a large share of the credit. The inside man drew tho defence practically every time before transferring to his partner for the latter to make ground and cross into tho goal. Another feature of Lyons’ play was hi.s accurate corner kicking, not one single kick being wasted. Chessuut in goal had a thankless job, and brought off a lot of good saves during ' tho game. At full-back Egerton played a hard game; in fact he was the only member of the team to play up to club form. The half-backs wore very weak and tho failure of the team as a whole can be attributed to this weakness. , Forward E. Wilson, at outside left, was perhaps tho best, with Bell next in order. To sum up, the Palmerston team . was a thoroughly sound one, and their . next game in the competition with the leading Wellington team should be worth going a long way to see. Hock House Boys’ Visit Being free from competition games , for the afternoon Eastbrooke entertained tho Flock House team on Cook’s Gardens. After a game that was full of interest the ’Brooke emerged winners by tho odd goal in nine, thus avenging the defeat inflicted on them earlier in the season. With a lead of two goals early in the game it looked as if tho ’Brooke were going to have a walk-over, but the boys fought, back and were soon on level terms. Thereafter a ding-dong struggle ensued, first one team and then the other scoring with Eastbrooke having the final advantage when tho final whistle went. For tho winners Scott kept a good goal, while both backs, Gillon and L. Clapham, gave a solid display. The halves were also very good, with Wood being the outstanding player in the team. Among the forwards Garner took the eye a lot and bids fair to become one of the most dangerous forwards playing. Of the others Jones and Upton showed up the most. The visiting goalie. Wilson, brought off some good saves, but generally speaking, was unreliable. The full-backs were in and out, while tho intermediate trio could bo placed on the same basis. Forward Goodall was the brains of the team and despite being well looked after by the ’Brooke defence, he jmve a good exhibition of the game. His effort in beating four men and walking the ball into the not was a brilliant one. Of the others, Sawyers at inside right was the best. Local Management The local management committee met on Alonday night, when tho following items wore passed: W. Adams was granted a transfer from Eastbrooke to Woollen Mills. Discus sion on the proposed inter-provincial tournament was left over until the Manawatu team visits Wanganui. Manawatu wrote suggesting July 11 or August 8 as a suitable date for a visit to Wanganui, the former date being accepted. Messrs Ward and Smith were appointed to represent the man agoment committee at a meeting to be held for the purpose uf organising school football. Narrow Ground At the present time there is an agitation for a narrower playing area, the sponsor of tho movement being one of tho heads of the game in Wellington. The general dimensions of playing areas is lit) yards by 75 yards, and the alteration suggested makes n difference of 10 yards in breadth. The suggestion was tried out on the Basin Reserve on Saturday and mot with a mixed reception. In the opinion of tho writer tho proposal seems a backward move, as a narrower ground would tend to cramp the movement of tho players.