WANGANUI SOCCER

Wanganui Chronicle, 2 May 1949, Page 2

WANGANUI SOCCER

Clear Cut Wins In Opening Matches WIDE MARGIN IN POLXTS. Clear-cut wins marked the opting matches of the Wanganui Soccer season on Saturday. Atliletic were too good for Eastbrooke in the closing stages to run out winners by 10 goals to one. Technical Old Boys prevailed by nine goals to one against Rangers. ’BROOKE v ATHLETIC. The ’laiooke-Atliletic game played on No. 1 ground started off at a fast clip. ’Brooke defended the southern end and kicked oft to launch a determined attack, but were pushed back, the ball going to Wauwood, who transferred to Mutimer, but Taylor proved too good and sent his team away again. Play see-sawed for a few minutes until P. Stuart drove a hard first timer which went behind. ’Brooke were eager at this stage and a corner was conceded by Athletic. Rush took the kick and put it behind for a goal kick.

R. Stewart's fine goal kick put his team ahead. The ball went to Wellwood wiio passed to Mutimer. Mutimer drew iiis man and returned the ball to Wellwood for him to drive -a hard shot ip from near the penalty area, beating the defence and putting Athletic one up. Athletic 1, ’Brooke 0.

’Brooke forwards' wild kicking cost them an easy goal a few minutes later, when R. Stewart was caught out of his goal alter M. Hopper had made a good opening. Both teams were now settling down and the play fluctuated back and forth witli no side gaining the upper hand. This was the position wnen th e half-time whistle blew with the score reading Athletic 1, Eastbrooke 0.

Athletic made determined efforts right from the kick off. After midfield play the bail went to 'Brooke's left winger, Jeffery, who centred and followed in to score the equaliser— Eastbrooke 1, Athletic 1. This had the effect of steadying both teams, but Athletic again took command from a throw in on their left, the ball going to Kidd, who transferred it to Mutimer. the latter making no mistake from close in to put Atliletic once more in the lead— Athletic 2, Eastbrooke 1. From here on Athletic took command of the game, taking ’Brooke defence by surprise for Kidd to walk the ball into lhe net—Athletic 3, Eastbrooke 1. From a corner by Kidd, the ball went to Tinnian, wno put the ball just under the bar from the penalty area—Athletic 4, Eastbrooke 1From the kick-off ’Brooke attacked per medium of P, Stuart, whose shot went narrowly past. Athletic then took over again and from a mix-up in the 'Brooke goal mouth the ball rolled to Kidd, who made no mistake from about 5 yards—Athletic 5, Eastbrooke 1.

Soon after this Athletic notched another goal after Kidd's header hit the upright and bounced across the goal mouth to Mutimer’s feet—Athletic 6, Eastbrooke 1. Athletic now took complete control of the game and never left 'Brooke territory. Mutimer again scored with a neat header off Kidd's centre to pul Athletic one more up.—Athletic 7, Eastbrooke 1. ’Brooke conceded a corner after the kick off, which Strichen saved well, but he had. to capitulate to a hard drive by Weilwood, making the score—Athletic 8, Eastbrooke 1. The next g° al came soon after with another neat header by Mutimer off a centre by Kidd —Athletic 9, Eastbrooke 1. With only a few minutes of playleft the play centred in midfield until Mutimer broke away and worked his way out to the wing to send in a great shot that Strichen just managed to fist clear. However, the ball went out to Weliwood lying in a good position near the penalty spot and lie made no mistake to bring the score to Athletic 10, Eastbrooke 1. The Senior B results were:— Rangers 5, Athletic 3; Tech. School 11, Eastbrooke 0.