SOCCER

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 101, 2 May 1938, Page 9

SOCCER

WANGANUI ASSOCIATION COMPETITIONS COMMENCE OPENING OF NEW SEASON (By “Waverley.”) The Wanganui Football Association’s 1838 season was usnered in on Saturday under ideal playing conditions, the opening games in the Shield competition being played. On Cook’s Gardens Rangers defeated Eastbrooke by 1 goal to nil, and on Victoria Park the newlyformed Marist team scored at the expence of Athletic, last year’s Shield winners. In the junior section wins were scored by Technical College and Eastbrooke, Athletic and Technical Old Boys drawing, 1 goal each. Athletic and Marist Marist.—Goodall, E. Wrigley, McCallum, Fiske, A. Fairclough, Dear, Rush, J. Wrigley, E. Fairclough, Dark, Braddley. Athletic. —Linaker, Thomson, Elliot, J. Archibald. Christie, Kendall. Carter. Fowler, D. Archibald. Davis, Jackson. Marist won the toss and elected to play with the breeze. From the kickoff Athletic made ground on the right but Dear robbed Carter to send A. Fairclough away. His pass to Rush was intercepted by Elliot, who sent on to Christie, for the latter to shoot over. Marist took up the attack and a likely shot by E. Fairclough was cleared by Thomson. Athletic were making little headway against the Marist halves and a pass from A. Fairclough to Braddley saw the winger beat three men to score the first goal of the season. Carter made a fine run on the wing but the green and white defence held and soon the ball was at the Athletic goal. Keeping up the pressure Braddley scored his second goal from close in. Athletic now took up the running and D. Archibald, receiving the ball in midfield threaded his way past several opponents to place the ball well out of Goodall’s reach. Nothing daunted, Marist made tracks for Linaker, who saved well from Dark, but his clearing kick was charged by E. Fairclough and sped into the net. Marist almost scored again when Fiske had a great drive from well out. Taking play on the wing. J. Archibald sent Carter away and the winger scored with a fine drive from close in. Half-time was

•'ailed with Marist leading by 3 goals to 2. On resuming Athletic took charge and severely tested the Marist defence, but the greens were giving nothing away and soon Linaker had to save from J. Wrigley. At the other end Goodall saved well from a good shot by Davis. Marist were still doing most of the attacking and Linaker, failing to hold a shot from A. Fairclough, was beaten by the speed of E. Fairclough, who had followed up fast. Athletic were out of the picture now and Rush crossed for E. Fairclough to register his hat-trick. Athletic made a final rally and an infringement for hands gave Elliot a chance from the penalty spot but his kick was wide. In the last minutes of the game a cross from Braddley was cleverly headed in by J. Dark to make Marist’s total 6. This was the final goal scored and time was called with the score reading: Marist 6; Athletic Mr. K. Cunningham was referee. On Victoria Park Rangers and Eastbrooke played an even game and it was not until well into the second spell that Rangers scored, Williams scoring from close in. Eastbrooke tried hard to equalise but the final whistle sounded with the score: Rangers 1; Eastbrooke 0. Mr. C. Richards was referee. Junior Games Athletic met Technical Old Boys on Victoria Park and after a good hard game both teams had to leave with honours even. Darby scored for Tech, in the opening minutes and Davis scored for Athletic in the second spell. Both teams played good football and the issue was in doubt to the last. The referee was Mr. K. Cunningham. On No. 2 ground Victoria Park Tech, defeated Marist by the odd goal in five. This was another even game and at half-time the score was 2 goals each. In the second half the schoolboys did more attacking and managed to score the winning goal. Voss. Paul and Dunlop scored for Tech, while E. and B. Crutchley each scored for Marist. The referee was Mr. J. Thomson. On Cook’s Gardens Rangers were outclassed by Eastbrooke and the latter ran out easy winners by 7 goals to 1.