SOCCER Technical Regains Shield Lead

Press, Volume C, Issue 29513, 15 May 1961, Page 14

SOCCER Technical Regains Shield Lead

Christchurch City caused a minor upset in the Hurley Shield soccer competition witli a 5-3 defeat of Nomads on Saturday. Nomads had been the leading side. Technical beat University to regain the lead. Wanderers gave an improved display and lost to Rangers by only one goal. Other teams to win were Shamrock and Western, both in fairly close matches. Results are:—

Technical 7, University 1. Shamrock 1, Old Boys 0. City 5, Nomads 3. Western 4, Neerlandia 2. Rangers 2, Wanderers 1. Hurley Shield points are:— P, W. L. D. Pts.

Technical’s combination and fitness were too much for University at Ensors road, although the final score of 7-1 did little justice to the vigorous defence of the students. C. Spinks and I. Graham coped most capably with the University attacks, and R. van Dalsum and K. Hendy gave good service in the half-back line. Best in the Technical forward combination was the newcomer, D. Waugh. With four goals and several near-misses, Waugh made a most successful debut in Christchurch soccer. Waugh’s fine all-round performance at centre-forward assured that Technical did not miss its top goal-scorer, E. Charlton, who was absent injured. Waugh was a more than adequate substitute. A. Verham backed him up with good control, and this could be a good combination in future matches for Technical. The University defence had a trying time, and for long periods the ball was battered about near the University goal. L. Duckworth made some very fine saves, and A. Ross was capable. He gave a most accomplished display. The other full-back, H. Hodgson. was strong on defence but weak in clearing, and P. Roborgh and G. Lewis defended well. Lewies continues to improve with every match. With the exception of Ross, these defenders were incapable of hitting the ball hard enough to get it away from the pen-

alty area. Seevaratnum, playing his first match of the season, was the best of the disjointed University forward line. He beat van Dalsum on several occasions, but had no support. His insides and wings continually allowed themselves to be blocked out. Waugh (4), A. Verham, A. Chee and K. Hendy scored for Technical and a defender put the ball through his own goal. Mr W. Richards was the referee. WESTERN v. NEERLANDIAUNITED Successfully contending with the determined opposition but; not entirely mastering the slippery, saturated ground. Western beat Neerlandia-United 4-2 at Elmwood Park. Immediately after the first; whistle. Western made clear its intention to play entertaining and constructive football, but the realisation of such hopes was frustrated by the greasy, conditions which made ball con-i trol difficult. Further upset by the unusually robust Neer-landia-United defence and bustling forwards. Western at times looked anything but a happy combination. However, its strong mid-field play which provided tlie snappy forward line with many opportunities—four of which were grasped—won the match for Western. Credit for Western’s success must go to R. Durant and K. Olley whose positional play was faultless. The amount of work with which they coped was indicative of their fitness. Able support was given in the for-| ward line by A. Bishop, C. Whitehead and D. Torkington and B. Newsome proved a headache for his marker. The defence trio of K. Clarke, M. Shardlow and I. Laby were instrumental in breaking up many of the combined team’s attacks and turning them to Western’s advantage. W. Rodger displayed none of the talents which earned him international honours. His performance resembled that of a badlyrehearsed actor rather than that of one who had represented his country. Showing the benefits of a reliable centre forward, Neer-landia-United at several stages played like a team ready to record a win. However, a tendency to lose heart when the run of play goes against it and a lack of ability to fight back at critical times robbed Neer-landia-United of any chance of victory. H. Scholten must take the blame for these defects as his questioning of each goal awarded against his team has the adverse effect of discouraging his team-mates rather than inspiring them on to score equalisers. N. Keeman, at centre forward, appeared to be the only player unaffected by vocal outbursts and generally showed ability to penetrate the Western defence. Scholten and F. Ouwerskerk playing in the Inside positions played with a purpose and were well supported by W. Young at right half. The burden of defence again fell mainly on N_ Robinson but M Beltman and B. Roskam capably shared the task when the necessity arose. Whitehead. Olley, Newsome and Bishop scored for Western. Neerlandia-United’s goals were scored by J. Feringa (penalty) and Ouwerskerk. Mr J. Davidson was the referee.

RANGERS V. WANDERERS At Spreydon Domain number 1, Rangers beat Christchurch Wanderers by 2 goals to 1. The ground was in excellent order considering the amount of rain in the last few days. In a game in which fortunes fluctuated and in which the standard of the soccer was low. Rangers deserved their win because at all times their cohesion was of a better standard. Wanderers were still not a cohesive eleven and their play suffered so many indecisions that even their best forward, P. Saunderson. was unable to get any support. Rangers, playing in a halfhearted manner, were shocked to show a bit of life when Wanderers scored first. But it was a short lead as Rangers immediately equalised, and a further goal by them just before half-time was sufficient to win the game. That appeared to be all they wanted. E. Brown, in goal, was not called on to show his best. The full-backs. R. Pearson and R Cassie, dealt easilv with the spasmodic attacks of the Wanderers’ forwards The half line of J. Wilkie. J. Adam, and A Inglis did not give the forwards the best service with many passes going astray. R Robson and P. Cole never appeared to be dangerous. J. Samson and D. Anderson were the most enterprising, particularly the latter, who at all times was a class above both his opponents and team mates. J Hinchley, on the left wing, was mediocre. For Wanderers. J. Kerslake deputising for the regular keeper. Neuvelmans. gave a sound display and h 1« efforts kept the score down. The fullh'»cks. H. Stout and B. McLeod kicked far too IndiscHminatelv *o h° of value. Of the halve* T. Hearty was a tower o r strength. The inside forwards. L. Well' and P Garters, were far too slow to take anv openings offered. T. Bateman, playini

at centre forward, was never a success. For Rangers J. Hinchley and D. Anderson scored, and L. Wells scored for Wanderers. Mr T. Walker was the referee. SHAMROCK v. H. 5.0.8. In conditions which revealed the limitations of both teams, Shamrock beat High School Old Boys bv 1 goal to 0 at Malvern Park. Shamrock w’ould have been unlucky to lose, having Old Boys on the defensive for most of the match, but failing to finish in front of goal. Old Boys failed to adapt themselves to the first winter conditions of the season, and several players who had showed up in earlier rounds floundered round most ineffectively. Lack of experience was obvious and the type of vocal support Old Boys received did not settle them down as a team. The goalkeeper, J. Callaghan, for the winners, gave a much improved showing and handled the greasy ball competently under pressure. The Shamrock defence held the unco-ordinat-ed Old Boys’ attacks well, with H. Verdellan giving a calm and unruffled performance at left back. His sure kicking was in contrast to much of the slicing which took place on both sides. Much of Shamrock's strength lay in its half line. H. Taylor was in the centre of the midfield struggle in his usual resilient manner, and P. Barrett was impressive at right half, with good control and constructive moving of the ball. Together with J. Price and J. van Broekhoven, at inside forward, they gave Old Boys no chance to settle down to their pattern of play. The forward line missed several clear opportunities to goal. W. Yates roved round at centre-forward, creating openings, but indecision and poor shooting ruined most moves. Shamrock’s only goal’came from a fumble by D. Chapman in the Old Boys’ goalmouth. This was an unfortunate and costly blemish on an otherwise excellent display. The Old Boys’ defence wa« never under control, with R. Richardson having a miserable day at centre half B. Masters realised the value of the long clearance up field under the conditions. but the halves and forwards persisted with a short game impossible on the heavy ground. Van Broekhoven was the scorer for Shamrock. Mr R. Cullen was the referee. CHRISTCHURCH CITY v\ NOMADS In a match that was always interesting and sometimes exciting, Christchurch City beat Nomads, five goals to three, in heavy conditions at Spreydon Domain. A draw would have been a satisfactory reflection of the merits of the teams. City settled down quickly to the conditions and while Nomads were attempting unsuccessfully to play their shortpassing game had a three-goal lead after 30 minutes. However each of the goals had an element of faulty goalkeeping in it. Nomads scored three excellent goals but conoceded two penalties to give City victory. The City defence was strengthened by the inclusion , of a recent arrival in J. Le Poidevin at full-back. He was solid in all departments and the representative winger, P. McParland made little progress. The rest w r ere adequate but Nomads’ better attacks always looked capable of penetrating. All the City forwards demonstrated the ability to control and move quickly with the ball. E. Bennett was effective in midfield and R. Bruce had a very good game on the right wing. His passing was intelligent and kicking sound. In the present scarcity he looks a representative prospect. J. Donnelly, in the Nomads goal, had an unhappy return to senior football. His task was not made any easier bv the tendency for the fullbacks. J. Kissack and M. Rennell, to get out of position. D. Simmonds also offended in this respect and generally seemed out of touch under the conditions. Nomads had their share of midfield play. The play of D. Stapley has improved vastly this season and I. Toth gave his usual competent disolay. It was P. Rennell. at inside-right, who set up the attacks. Hindered by the restricted speed and movement of A. van Rooyen and the midfield wanderings of the outside-right, I. McCallum, the line nevertheless Sroduced some good moves. ennell scored with a beautiful shot from the corner of the penalty area. Scorers for City were A. Joubert. Bruce. T. Clackston and D Niven (two penalties) and for Nomads, van Rooyen (2) and Rennell. Mr C. Anderson was the referee.

Technical .. 5 4 - 1 9 City 5 4 1 - 8 Nomads 6 4 2 1 8 Western 6 4 2 - 8 Rangers 5 2 2 1 5 University 5 2 3 - 4 Shamrock .. 5 2 3 - 4 Neerlandia 5 1 3 1 3 Old Boys • • 5 1 3 1 3 Wanderers 5 - 5 - 0 TECHNICAL V. UNIVERSITY