SOCCER CHALLENGE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 224, 20 September 1940, Page 10

SOCCER CHALLENGE.

LAST OF THE SEASON. CANTERBURY V. AUCKLAND. In the last two Soccer seasone Canterbury lias come to Auckland with a strong side in quest of the English Trophy which Auckland took from Otago in 1937. But Canterbury were defeated, though narrowly—only one goal the difference each year. This morning they arrived with another strong team and the game at Blandford .ark to-morrow afternoon will be the 1 ist challenge of the season for the inter-provincial trophy. Three members of the team were New Zealand representatives when the English touring side was in the Dominion in 1937. One of them, A. Sutherland, the centre half, its captain. He ha.? a grand record in New Zealand Soccer and has one thing to live down. He started his representative career in Canterbury and then wgnt to Otago. As a member of that team in 1936 lie went to Canterbury and helped to take the trophy from them. Now he is helping Canterbury in their endeavour to regain it. Sutherland is a powerful and natural footballer. S. Cawtheray, fulUbaofc, and C. Anderson, right half, are the other two who have won New Zealand honours. Canterbury has a new goalie this year in W. England, a member of the .Air Force, whoee first represtntative season it is, Other new players are J. McLennan and Rodger Smith, a pair who, with the other three Smith brothers, complete the forward line. G. Graham, the left back, us playing his first representative game of hie career. It will be seen that there is a leaven of new players with men ripe in experience. Auckland is relying on the eame team which played in Wellington recently. There are several curtain-raisers, and in consequence the big match Is not timed to »tart until a quarter past three. The representative elevens are:— CANTERBURY. Goal: W. England. Backs: S. Cawtheray, G. Graham. Halves: C. Anderson, A. Sutherland (captain), 11. Gordon. Forwards: J. McLennan, R. Smith, G. Smith. J. Smith, Roger Smith. AUCKLAND. Goal: G. Yearbury. Backs: R. H. Riggans, R. Speed. Halves: F. Blackie, C. Ward (captain), P. Forwards: O. Robinson. M. Francis, B. Hopklnsen, J. Fyvie. A. Masters. Referee: Mr. F. Green.