“SOCCER” FOOTBALL

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 245, 11 July 1921, Page 6

“SOCCER” FOOTBALL

BROWN SHIELD MATCH WELLINGTON RETAIN THE TROPHY WANGANUI DEFEATED BY 2 TO 1 (Prom our Special Reporter.) Wanganui, July 9. Tho Wanganui-Wellington match for the Brown Shield was played at Cook’s Gardens, Wanganui, on Saturday, in ideal before a crowd of over 4900 spectators. No doubt the size of the attendance was due in part to the fine sportsmanship of the Wanganui Rugby Union and the Hockey Association in positioning their matches. Both teams were played on to the ground by the Wanganui Pipa Band. After the game Mr. Veitch, M.P., presented the shield to the Wellington team. The teams were as follow: — Wellington.—GeU, Ferguson, Taylor, M'Arthur. Brownlee. Jones, Cusack, M'Elligoti. Ferguson, Campbell (captain), C. Ballard. Wanganui.-Hyder, O'Neil, Murry, M’Necliie. M'Girr, Healy, Cooper, Smith, Mitchell (captain), Cameron, and M'Cracken. First Spell. Wanganui won the spin of the coin, and decided io defend the southern goal. Ferguson set the ball in motion from a nice pass to M'Arthur, who beat M'Cracken and slipped the ball to Cusack. who made a good run down the lino. A nice centre saw Campbell almost break through. O’Neil saved in the nick of time. In a good bit of play, M'Girr beat Ferguson and Campbell, and put the ball to Cooper, who had a clear run through, hut shot wide. Wellington were soon busy in the Wanganui half, and Hyder was called on to save shots put in by Ballard and Campbell. Both teams were playing good football, and the ball went from one end of the ground to the other with great rapidity. Wanganui backs were putting in telling work, and their halves supporting their forwards. Cooper got the ball on the right, and after beating all opposition put in a well-placed centre, which Mitchell turned into the net with his head, amid great applause from the spectators. From the centre kick Wellington made a vigorous attack on the Wanganui goal. Ballard secured, and raced down the left wing. His centre was well met by M'Elligott, who sent in a daisy-cutter which was going just inside, when Hyder dived full length, and turned it round the ;>ost, for a. corner. Nothing came of the kick. Wanganui broke away, and Gell saved a good shot from Smith by tipping it over the bar. From the corner kick Taylor cleared. Jones boat M’Girr, and swung the ball across to Cusack, who raced up the wing in fine style. Tho movement resulted in a fight for the ball between Afurry and Cusack. The later won, and passed to M’Arthur. M’Arthur slipped jt across to Campbell, and the latter scored tho equalising goal for Wellington, Hyder having n« possible chance of • saving. The Wellington forwards were now showing better combination than the Wanganui forwards, but Hyder, the Irish international goalkeeper, was playing a brilliant game in goal. Some of his saves it was a. treat to watch, and the crowd was very appreciative. Half-time arrived with the scores one goal each. The Second Half. From the restart the Wellington forwards came along all in line, but Murry cleared. M’Kechie passed to Mitchell, who raced for the Wellington goal, but the shot was well saved by Gell. Give-and-take play about the centre of the field followed. J. Ferguson and Taylor, the Wellington backs, were kept very busy, the latter playing a capital game, and receiving good support from Jones at half. Ths Wanganui players at this stage seemed to tire somewhat on the heavy ground. Brownlee swung the ball across to Ballard, who was playing well on the loft. Ballard beat O’Neil, and put in a fast shot, which hit Hyder full in the face, knocking him righk out for a few seconds. M’Girr intercepted a pass from Ferguson to Campbell, and got the ball out to Smith, who eent in a stinging shot, which waA„well saved by Gell. From the kick, Brownlee worked the ball in Wanganui territory, and his shot at goal was well saved by Hyder. Both teams were striving hard to secure the. winning goal. A well-placed kick by Healey gave M'Cracken and Cameron a fine chance of scoring; but GeU rushed out and saved M’Arthur, who was beuting his man, had no difficulty in sending Cusack, on the wing, with the ball. Campbell secured. He passed io M’Llligott, who had no opening, but passed to Cusack who tricked Murray, and sent in a pile-driver. It left the Wanganui ’‘goalie” no chance pf saving. Wellington, 2; Wanganui, 1. From the centre kick the local lads made strenuous attempts to equalise, but Taylor was tho stumbling-block. He was playing a great game. At this stage M Arthur received an. injury, and had to leave the field for a time. M’Girr livened up matters by beuting Jones and Ferguson and Campbell, and passed to Mitchell, who put in a well-directed shot. GeU brought off a splendid save. The Wellington forwards were out-classing the Wanganui defence. Campbell gave the ball to Ballard, who sent in a. fast, low shot, which Hyder saved at the expense of a corner. Ballard took the kick, which wont out. Time was growing short, and Wanganui put forth a final effort, but the Wellington players'knew too much of tho game to let them through. A few minutes later the whistle sounded, with the Wellington team retaining the Shield, after a very hard ami fast game. Mr. Thornly efficiently refereed tho game. Notes on the Players.

Gell played a good game in goal, and was not responsible for the point scored against him. Any other “goalie would have done no better. J. Ferguson, right back, playeel his usual game. .11. Taylor had a day out. His kicking and tackling wore all that could bo desired. He will lake some shifting out of representative teams on Saturday’s play. M’Arthur never played better than he did on Saturday up to (he time of receiving his injuiy. lie will take some replacing. IV Brownlie played a very heady game. His shot at goal would have beaten nine out of ten “goalies. D. G. Jones did not take to his new position till after half-1 ini'*. He played a good game in the second half. Cu.sack, the “white-!.aired boy" vith the 4900 spectators, played a very spectacular game till well into the second half, when ho got a severe kick. His goal was a beauty. M’Elligott played a hard game, but did not get the support he should have dune. 11. Ferguson had an off day. G. Campbell scored his usual goal. He gave Hyder some pile-drivers to stop. He keeps his team well in hand, am! is a good captain. C. Ballard played the same vigorous game. Tho shot he knocked Hyder out with would have broken the net. His centres were a treat SMOKE CONCERT. On Saturday evening a smoke, concert was held in the Druids Hall. Mr. V. A Stapleton presided. Tho following toasts were honoured :--“The King”; “The W.F.Aproposed by the chairman, ar.d responded to by Messrs. Williams and Wells; “Wium'rg Team,” proposed by Mr. W. Mitel.ell, and responded to by Mr. G. Camplioil; "Wanganui F.A. and Insiug Team." vroposed by

Mr. H. Godber, and responded to by Messrs. Price and Davidge; “Kindred Sports,” proposed by Mr. W. Herd, rnd replied to by Mr. G. Thompson (Rugby) and Mr. C. Warden (hockey); “Referee," proposed by Air. Price, and replied to by Air. Thornley; "The Ladies,” proposed by Air. Hyder. The following contributed. items to ap excellent programme:—Tho "Alac” Quartet (comprising Afessrs. Af'Carthy, M'Beth, M'Carthy and M’Lcan); Messrs. Renwick, Herd, Wadnian, Pryce, Mitchell, Jones, G. Howatson, and O’Neill. The Wanganui Football Association made excellent arrangements for tho Wellington team, who returned yesterday morning. Svcond Division. Thorndon defeated Island Bay A by 5 goals to 1. Scorers for Thorndon were: Morgan (2), Anton, Pridniore, nnd Sutton. Karori 3 Gas Company 1. Thiid Division. The most exciting third class game ph yed on Saturday was that between Diamonds aud Seatoun at Kilbirnie. The first spell saw Svatoun attacking, with a heavy wind behind then:. A relief kick by J. Dwyer gave Purbush an opportunity for Diamonds, but he allowed the backs Io gel m on him. A fine ’pass from <.'. Ferris nearly ended in L. M. Murphy net ling for the Bhu-ks. In th? second spell Diamonds made several dote: mined attacks, principally through V. Rob=on, ('. Ferris, and L. Al. Murphy. They were at length rewarded. A high kick by J. Dwyer brought, play to Seatoun's twenty-five. The ball was sent to Alurphy, who, gaining ground, sent it back again to the centre-forward. A Seatoun back headed the ball high, and 1,. M. Murphy, rushing in fast, sent the leather batueen the posts. If was a fine piece of head work. The game then became very fast and open. Tho work of 1,. 111. Murphy at right-wing was of firstclass standard, and on several occasions he was responsible for openings. From a forward rush L. Grimstono scored a goal for Seatoun, and although the balance of the game was hotly contested, there was no furl her score, the match ending in a draw. Fourth Division. Institute 4 Karori 2. Brooklyn 5 Y.M.C.A. B 0. Stop Out. 1 Petone 1. Fifth B Class. Brooklyn 1 Kilbirnie 9. Thorndon U 2 South Wellington 1.