SOCCER

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 201, 28 August 1935, Page 4

SOCCER

I ( B . v

“SPECTATOR”

Rangers provided good oppo-.’.tion for Thistle on Saturday. Lack of finish brought, about their failure. Territorial advantages were about even but the Thistle inside forwards were always up with play. They availed themselves of every opportunity, all three goals being scored from close in, while Rangers on the other hand were missing badly in front of the goal. The points table now shows Thistle and Eastbrooko leading with 17 points each and one game to play, both against For Thistle, Chestuutt in goal proved to be right on form, excepting his effort with a penalty kick. His anticipation in rushing out to clear was invariably successful. A. Kidd, playing a lone hand at full ba'ek, gave a gomf exhibition. He was conspicuous in stopping many a forward ru.-h Dasnlield was the outstanding half and toiled the whole ninety minutes. His wing halves, Whiting am] Davis, should be forces to be contended with next season. They tackled well and usually placed the ball accurately. Mciklc was tho opportunist in the forward line. lie was always ready lo finish off a movement. He was practically responsible for all three goals, but infringed on several occasions. Mackie sent over some good crosses from the wing and tested tho goalie several times. The rest of the line wore not brilliant but were always in position. For Rangers, Gallop in goal had plenty tn /lo and displayed capability. He vould not be blamed for the closeup shots which beat him. Duke and Hoskins were up to form and arc combining well together. In the half-line Gibson was the star performer. This versatile young player improves with every match. Hughes, in staging a come-back, showed flashes of his former ability and staged some interesting tussles with Mackie. Tasker played a steady game. The forward line, however, was where tho mistake.’ were made. Rusling had one of those days when a player, although trying hard, will jißt. put the ball in the wrong place. Dellow missed a glorio's opportunity when he beat evervone but the ’keeper, for a nice tap to one side instead of driving the ball h gh would have made all the difference. Hoskins and Fowler played well on the wings. The former was rather inclined to shoulder his opponent, when passing the ball might have boon advisable. The Eastbrooke—Marist game was not so keenly contested. Marist offered a solid defence for a while but once ’Brooke had the upper hand, the sting went out of tho play. Healey, in goal for the blues, handled cleanly but not severely tested. Ward and Taylor played a safe combination in defence. The halves were a versatile trio and Cavaye, S. Stokes and Quinn were the pick of the forwards. Gray had lo be watched for he was always full of dash. H Stokes, the erstwhile goalie, found things a bit different on the wing. With Marist, Bates made some good saves, and the backs, Dear and Fairclough wore a good pair. The halves, led by the veteran Jamieson, offered their forwards a fair share of tho ball but the front lino was verv weak, several reserves be'ng plaved. The fixtures for next Saturday are: Seniors: Marist v. Thistle on No. 1 ground; Athletic, v. Rangers, on No. 2 ground; Eastbrooke tho bye. Juniors: Rangers v. Aramoho on No. 1 ground. Fourths; Rangers v. Y.M.C.A. on Holmorc Street, at 1 p.m.; United v. Intermediate B on Helmoro St. at 2 p.m. Pr'mary Representatives v. Combined Technical team on Helmore St. nt 3 p.m. • • • • Tho president of the Association, Mr. J. J. Bcott. will present the primary team with the representative 'caps during the interval on Helmore St. ground at 2.30. It, is to be hoped that the boys will appreciate the honour conferred by rhe bestowal of these caps. Each boy has been selected on his standard of play exhibited during the ceasnn. With th? juniors, Rangers feih'd to annex the full points on Saturday’ ano therefore lose the chan re to draw level with Marist, who, with their total of 15 points, become veritable winners of the competition. As the match next Saturday between Rangers and Aramoho v.-J] make no difference to the results in the table, tho Management Committee might have boon advised t i carry on with another compel bion father than have tho junior plovers idle for so many Saturdays. A gnod suggestion might bo to make the Junior Clinr’tv Cup a one-round cont"«t with goal averages to count, or, if time permits, the winners to plav off with points counting only. The draw could be made this week and with the Technical team away in Auckland this Saturday they could bo awarded the bye. Although the primary representatives were beaten bv Manawatu the team manager expiosses himself satisfied with tho wuv tho boys shaped. The team certainly cased un in the first half after securing s three-goal lead, but they underestimated the advantages of the high wind whiidi assisted the long-kicking tactics of the Mannwatu halves in the second half It is to bo hoped the hoys will profit bv this experience for tho forthcoming primary schools’ tournament, to he held at New Plymouth next week. The Now Zealand Council is apparently enamoured of a visit to the Dominion by a team of English schoolboys, and already negotiations have been set in train with that object in view, writes a Southern newspaper. How such a tour is going to benefit the game in New Zealand is not clear. The trip may well pay fur itself financially, but so far as any uplift to the sport, is eoncerncd, this is most unlikely. The council is sincere, in it” endeavour lo improve Ihe standard, but .Ls approavh is not promising. A film taken, say, of the English Cup final at Wembley and then shown in slow motion in this country would probably he productive of greater benefit than any tour. The council could easily make arrangements with the English authorities for the taking ot such a film, and its instructional value would be obvious.