Canterbury Well Beaten By Otago

Press, Volume C, Issue 29501, 1 May 1961, Page 19

Canterbury Well Beaten By Otago

(from Out Own R«pon*r) DUNEDIN, April 30. Canterbury's soccer talent was. humbled by Otago in the first of this season’s home-and-away Jones 'Cup matches, played in Dunedin yesterday. The Canterbury representatives found themselves opposed by a faster all-round side, and one which made good use of its opportunities. Otago won 4—o.

Soon after the start of the match weaknesses were apparent in the Canterbury half-back line, and on the wings. The Otago representatives took full advantage of these. There was no doubt that the better team won.

Several players in the Canterbury side have not been in very good form this season, but it was hoped that they would rise to the occasion in this match. They did not. As a result the visitors were outplayed. Canterbury could have Scored on several occasions, but poor finishing lost these chances. Some of the forwards were a little too deliberate when in front of the Otago goal. E. Charlton hit an upright with one shot, with the goalkeeper well beaten, and P. McParland once hit the cross-bar, but they could not find.the net. The teams were:—

Canterbury.—J. Callaghan: KHendy. P. Frost; W. Rodger, D. Simmonds, H. Taylor; W. Yates, P. Rennell, E. Charlton, T, Haydon, P. McParland.

Otago.—J. Stephenson; A. Young, B. Morris; D. Downie. J. Ferguson. P. McFarlane: W. Berry, J. Brown, G. Little. D. McVey, P. Little. Unfortunately for Canterbury, Callaghan was unable to shake off the bad form which he has shown in other matches this season. IASt sea-

son's national goalkeeper. Callaghan yesterday let through two shots which were well within his range. Frost continues to improve with every match, and he did not put a foot wrong in his unaccustomed position at left back. Frost has been in Christchurch for only two week*, after six weeks on the boat coming out from England, and he is sure to show even further improvement. Handy, also playing out of position, was not as convincing, and is better suited to a half-back berth. Half-back Trouble It was in the halves that Canterbury fell down, and at no stage did Rodger and Taylor inspire any confidence. Rodger this season has been behind the play in club fixtures and trials, and he could not cope with the tricky McVey; IMcVey’s ability to pass down the left-hand side ot the field gave his. side many chances. Taylor’s limitations were exposed by Brown, a newcomer to the Otago side. Alt ways a worrier, Taylor did not have enough technique at his disposal. Simmonds at centre-half did his best on cover-defence, but he could not be on both sides of the field at once.

McPartland and Yates, on the wings, were not successes. McPartland was blocked out by the experienced Young, and is not yet ready for representative football. Yates was played at outside-right as an experiment, and for the first half of the match it looked as though this might be successful. In the second spell Yates fell into his bad habit of trying to do too much on his own, and neither he nor Canterbury made any further progress. Haydon and Rennell were two who, with Frost and Simmonds, came through the match with some sort of honours. Both did their best to feed Chartton when he was in position, but unfortunately Chartton did not have a happy match. He took too long to move the ball into position and, even when his shot did go goalwards. Stephenson had plenty of time to sight it It was a disappointing display by Chariton. Combtartion The Otego team was generally better on speed and combination. Perhap* the inclusion of seven members of the Northern club side aided th* combination. It eould not be denied that the smooth moving and passing between the forwards was far superior to anything which Canterbury could produce. The veteran Stephenson did not make a mistake in goal .although he was rarely tested. Young and B. Morris, the youngest member of th» home side, did a good job in keeping the Canterbury wings out of the match. Morris nearly always forced

Yates to go outside him.. Otago's strength was in its half-back line, and these three did not let Canterbury move close to the goal. McFarlane dictated the play with ability, and aided the attack by pushing the ball into the vast gaps which appeared in Canterbury's midfields. Downie and Ferguson gave solid support. With the exception of Berry, who was played out of the game by the tackling of Frost, the Otago forwards had a great time. McVey's speed and ability gave P. Little and G. Little plenty of chances, and the tall South African Brown also moved the ball over to the left-hand side of the field with advantage.

Otago's goals were scored by Berry, Brown, G. Little and McVey. Mr W. Bambery was the referee.