ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

Waikato Times, Volume 110, Issue 18405, 12 August 1931, Page 2

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

BROWN SHIELD GAME. COMMENTS ON MATCH. (By “Nemo.") Reviewing the recent game with Manawatu one is forced to the conclusion that the retention of the Shield by the local Association ,is largely due to their powerful defence. In this game there was not a single weak spot in this department, and South Auckland are particularly fortunate, in fact, have been for many years, in the talent at their disposal to form a powerful obstruction to opposing forwards. Smith again played extremely well in goal, and if not quite so spectacular as against North Auckland, he was at any rate equally as effective. The first goal against him was due to the ball "hanging up" in the sawdust placed on the ground to cover the mud, while the second was the result of a perfect piece of forward combination which would have left any goalkeeper helpless. T. Dodds was the safest of two good full-backs, and so often has his sterling service been recorded that one Is apt to wonder if the time will ever come when he will fall. Perrle was quite good, and seldom made a mistake. Gardiner also played well at right-half against a very clever winger, and beside holding his own in the many tussles with Lyons, found t ! me to assist Black. Mills, opposed tr the cleverest forward on the Held In Stewart, was a tower of strength. It took him about halt-an-hour to weigh up his opponent, after which Ids experience and generalship saved him where hfs pace was apt to fail. Beaumont improved a hundred per cent, on his game against North Auckland, and completed as stated before a very sound defence. The forwards were not so happy. The absence of Patrick let in Black at outside-right, and Liddle took centre forward berth. Black worked hard and organised many openings, but his finishing was woefully weak. It. Dodds failed to reproduce Chatham Cup form, and Liddle, although an energetic worker, found the position too strange for him. Credit for clever interception is due to him in scoring the third goal. Latimer at Inside-left was South Auckland's best forward. His corner kick resulting In the second goal was beautifully taken, while his ability to assist the defence when hard pressed was a valuable asset. Phillips worked hard, and must be given credit for doing Ids best to fill a position that apparently there is none qualified to take. He did not reach representative standard, which is perhaps excusable in that, to him, unaccustomed position. The Visiting Team. The Manawatu team proved themselves a thoroughly workmanlike eleven. In truth, it must be admitted i their football was superior to the I home team, but like others before ■ them they could not last the pace as . the local forwards did. They ran ‘ themselves out in the first half by selling a pace that was too hot to last. J. Crowe was safe in goal, except in clearing, and his many previous efforts in throwing the ball for a corner suggested the possibility of a mistake if hard pressed, and it happened with South Auckland's first goal an attempt to throw behind resulting In the ball being thrown into the net. Both Askam and A. Crowe were safe at full-back, with the former the stronger of the two. Balgent. Travers and Hearsay were a splendid halfback line. The latter (captain of the team) played a wonderfully fine game, and his passing to Lyons was an object lesson. Travers also played a brainy half-back game, and Balgent completed a clever trio. In the forwards Stewart was outstanding, he is the cleverest centre forward seen in Hamilton this season, an artist at ball control. and an adept at using his wing players. Both McSheffrey and Lyons played their part well, and were both Clever with their footwork and speedy. Both are capital wing forwards. CorkIndale was not the player his reputation made him out to be. He could do nothing right, while at insideright. hut later on when moved to centre-half. played much better. Goodall, the inside left, fitted into the scheme of attack, and plied both Stewart and Lyons with splendid passes. He is a good type of inside forward, who studies the needs of his partner, while the way he took his side's second goal shows he has a ready eye for an opening. Altogether, it was a good game, with plenty of thrills, and I venture to say it the Manawatu team had made more use of their wing men, Instead of persistently playing to Stewart, clever though he undoubtedly is, the result would have been different. SOUTH AUCKLAND ASSOCIATION. FIXTURES FOR SATURDAY. Seniors. —Wanderers v. Renown; Thistle V. Y.M.C.A.; Pukemiro v. Rotowaro: Huntly. a bye. Unfortunately the Glen Massey senior team have been compelled to withdraw, being unable to field a 1. am regularly. Juniors.—Thistle v. Pukemiro; Glen Afton v. Hotowaro; Massey v. Starr Town; Wanderers, a bye.