SOCCER

Evening Star, Issue 19665, 19 September 1927, Page 10

SOCCER

OTAGO LOSES AGAIN CANTERBURY FORWARDS SUPERIOR . Although Canterbury boat Olago at Soccer at Carishrook by <i goats to 1, Auckland having beaten tlie JJlucs by only 1 goal, the Football Association’s trophy is retained by Auckland on goal averages for ibis season. To win the trophy Canterbury required to defeat Otago by another goal. Otago” Soccer enthusiasts have had nothing to bo pleased over this season. Jn the three big games played at Cansbrook the Otago team has played poor football, although they journeyed to Wellington and gave an exhibition of the round ball code equal to ; lie excellence of the Canadians play. Tin’s final match was a patchy aliair. Otago did not play like a team, and Canterbury were not much better. With flic strong counter-attractions and a general impression among f( otball supporters that Cantrbnry would win easily, the attendance was small, only a little over 1,000 watching the game. They were given no thrills ami little pretty, scientific football. On the play Canterbury deserved to win. Changes had been made in the Otago team after the match with Auckland, and the forwards were out of balance. One of the most profitable changes was giving the big High School custodian, Caskie, the position between the st.rks, and although three shots got past him, lie played as if his heart was in the game. Some of his .saves wore In dliant. The Otago vanguard was i.ho breaking-down link in the whole lean!. In the* first half the forwards wtre hopelessly at sea. M'Lean and ,M‘Ccimnek, oil til left, seemed o have no idea of how the other was going to play; but in the second half M Cerrnai'k showed what a opportunist lie is. Then he was badly injured, and the forwards went to pieces ami in. Duncan, Uin. High School centre, was having his first outing in represennative football, and from whatever ung'a his play was looked at ho is not tiie same quality player at Hooper, of Seaetiff. Through weakness in his mtstde men in the first half Duncan had to loam a good bit, but be played out ■ { position far too often. He has pace, but to-df.y that was his only quality. Throughout his shooting was never dangerous, and when an opening was-made and he h id possession of, the hall he could do no-

thing right.. He was slopped repeatedly, Ho also lust opportunity by taking tho ball with his back to tho goal. For consistency throughout the game Siinmonds, outside right, was the best forward. The Otago backs did really well. Ainnsie was sterling at centre halt, and he was the pivot on which turned Otago’s attacks, unsuccessful as they were. Coats, at right full-back, had few opportunities of showing up in tho first halt, but tie played strongly and Jicadily in the second session. Anderson was not consistent, and he tailed to slop the speedy Canterbury centre, Trotter, when that player was oi lon dangerous. The Canterbury team’s weakness was the half-back line. The forwards were a dashing lot, but it was only Howarth (outside left) who kept them fed. The Red and Black forward line came up to expectations. Trotter was particularly dangerous, and lie was well supported by his inside right and outside right. Al'Dungall (inside left) combined excellently, but the line was hampered by the slowness of Fricklcton in putting in his cross-kicks. Jolncou amt Muscroft were towers of stre..gtli in tho lull-hack line, and M'Dougall gave another fine exhibition of goalkeeping, being quite as sound as when he played for New Zealand against the Canadians at Dunedin. The teams wore.— OTAGO. Goal: Caskic. Full-backs: Coats, Anderson. Half-hacks: Minim, Mimsio, Murray. Forwards: Siinmonds, At‘Hugh, Duncan, M'Conmick, M'Lean. CANTERBURY. Goal : Al'Dungall. Full-backs: Johnson, Muscroft. Half-backs; Walker, Roberts, Howar th. forwards: Nelson, Sutherland, Trotter, M‘Duug:ill, Frieklelun. FIRST SPELL. Otago lost the toss and kicked off against the St. Glair end. M'Gurinaek broke through and transferred to M'Lean, whose pass to Duncan was not taken. Canterbury took play to the oilier end and were dangerous, and near Otago's goal Anderson save dwell. SiniinoiKis put Ills men on attack, but the Canterbury half-backs secured, and the heading sent the ball down to Trotter, who was breaking through, and Anderson again stopped tho assault. Mistiming by AlTlugh made another opening for Canterbury, and Sutherland and Nelson burst through, the goalie kicking out near his corner. From the throw-in the ball went across to M'Dougall, who had only the goalie before him; but Caskic used Ins whole body in stopping the bail and brilliantly saved. Play went back to Canterbury’s end, where Simmonds’s shot from a long way out was easily saved by M'Dougall in goal. Howarth intercepted a pass from Ainnsie down to Siinmonds, but ins kick was returned by Anderson, and playstopped in midfield. M'Lean and M‘Cormaek, with the assistance of Murray, tried a dribbling rush, yet there was little combination in their movement Play up to this stage was uninspiring, neither team showing any cohesion. Tiien Ainnsie stopped Trotter, and the ball uas pas-ed out to Murray, who went down to Canterbury's line, where the hall went out. From the ihrow-in Canterbury attacked, and Trotter, taking a long pass, dribbled down to Otago's goal, where Anderson again cleared. With the ball in their possession, Otago advanced, and in clearing a Jong kick from Siinmonds the Canterbury goalie fumbled. The following Otago attack was very weak. Nelson, outside right, raced away on bis own, passed Anderson nicely, and had a shot from a difficult angle, the ball hitting (die not side. Play immediately returned to the, other end, •where Nelson crossed to Trotter, Coals cleared temporarily. Then Fricklcton secured, passed back to Trotter, whoso header was cleared with case by Caskic. A short passing movement by the Otago right forwards took play back again, and Duncan made a great effort from some distance out. M'Dougall was sure. The Canterbury men asserted again, and Otago were compelled to concede a corner. Friekleton’s centre was a beauty. Trotter headed it goalwards, and Caskic bad to use all bis skill when ho was surrounded by n bunch of Rcd-aiicl-Blark men. Again it was Otago on attack, M'Lean and Duncan working togoilier in the advance. Duncan’s pare beat Die opposition, hut his final kick was a yard or so astray.

Kven exchanges look plan' In Canterbury's territory, 1 n l l. the visitors not some relief when M'Cormack gave them a, jltoii 1 kick. Canterbury. however, were immediately on the defence again, when Duncan attacked and made a line pass to A! ‘(ormack, who. although in a handy position lo goal. skied the hall over the not. M'Cormaek and M'i/'an tried to get near tho goal again, hut Johnson (right lull-hack) and Walker Cleft half) wore ion clover for then). The Otago men worn showing more aggressiveness now, and SimmomN, MTJugh, and Dnnean combined in the advance right to the Canterbury goal. The goalie was beaten by a shot from Simmonds, hut Dnnean was over-keen and could not hustle MT)ongall. The Canterbury forwards raced away. Anderson failed in defence, and Sutherland headed an easy goal. Canterbury 1, Otago 0. Otago again advanced, when M‘Cormaok shot wild, and Nelson Sutherland and Trotter took play hack,-< when Casino saved brilliantly, taking the hall from Trotter’s 100. Ho swung the hall clear, but Nelson hanged it hack heavily, and the big custodian fisted it over. The ticxt attack was Otago's, and when in a good position Duncan had a shot, but ho was a long way out i?i his dcrcction. Whiling exchanges followed. Tho Otago left ■wing was being well fed, Mnuro making the opening. There was little cohesion between the Otago hoys, and Duncan had to rovo considerably to keep Otago handy. Howarth stopped one Otago rush, and the hall immediately came out to the other wing, and M'Lcan managed to get through to Johnson. The outside left hold on too long, and he, was robbed of tho ball before he could transfer to Duncan, who was waiting near by. Splendid combination was shown by Trotter, M'Dougall, and Fricl/ton, but Coates relieved for Ola go. Otago returned, Murray transferring to M‘Lean, but the home forwards got through again, Trotter bringing the advance to a close by kicking over tho net, Canterbury returned immediately,

and when Anderson was clearing lie was fouled. Play was taken by Otago’s forwards, and the ball went to Simmonds from M'Lean. who in turn sent to Duncan. The latter returned to Simmonds, who was responsible for Otago’s first goal. Otago 1, Canterbury 1. From the kick-off Canterbury attacked, and a free kick for foul play was awarded against Munro. Sutherland took the kick, and the goalie made a good attempt to save, but the ball passed orer Ids head into the net. Canterbury 2, Otago 1. Otago were olf again, attacking freely, but the Canterbury forwards put up a stout defence, and Trotter relieved the situation, Canterbury made another short attack, a goal kick clearing for Otago, flood play by Murray and M'Connack took the Blues to Canterbury’s penalty area, where M'Connack made a great shot, which Muscroft cleared cleverly. Otago set up another hot attack, Simmomls ultimately passing across to Duncan, who was beaten for the ball. The spell then ended with the score; Canterbury 3 Otago , 1 SECOND SPELL. On resuming Canterbury immediately passed, Sutherland and Trotter taking the bail down to the goal mouth, when Anderson temporarily saved. Then Sutherland centred a great shot, which hit the upright. Caskie pushed it clear. Sutherland swung it back to Trotter, who beat Caskie with a dropping ball. Canterbury J, Otago 1. ' Otago were hard set on defence, and M'Dougall had a shot, Caskie clearing easily. The Blues had a short spell of attack, but the Canterbury forwards broke away again. The passing went from Nelson to Trotter, back to Nelson, then across to Fricklcton, who narrowly missed scoring. The Otago right wing attacked, and from a corner . from M'Lean, M'Connack kicked over the goal. When attacking Munro was fouled, and lie had a great drive for the goal, and Canterbury conceded a corner, which was unsuccessful, Canterbury clearing easily. Munro then fouled, and a kick by Howarth was a good one, although Cackle punched it out.

Trotter tried to get through, and when his passage was stopped he transferred to M'Dougall. It was an easy ball for Caskie’s big hands. The next incident of note was when the dashing Canterbury centre worked his way through. He had a good opening, hut his kick was too wild. Again Trotter put His side on attack, but Coates intercepted the pass to I'Tieklcton. 'The centre regained possession, but he could not penetrate the Otago defence. For a while Otago wore pressing. The Canterbury goalie saved a terrilhe shot from M'Cormack, and then M‘Hugb kicked over the top bar. When Canterbury attacked Caskie was safe with a shot from Trotter, and then Coates cleared brilliantly. The .Hod ami Blacks, though, kept kicking away at the Otago wall, and Mimsic and Anderson showed splendid defensive qualities, Simmonds was interfered with by Nuserift. The free kick went right across to M'Cormack, whose brilliant bender almost found fbe net. M'Dongnll having to exert himself to deal'. The clever play by .M'Cormack saw him go through the Canterbury men. He trnnforml to Duncan, whose shot was by the post. M'Cormack was playing brilliantly, and from another opening which be made a long pass from him went np to Duncan, who. in trying to bead into the goal, was stopped by M’Dougail, Canterbury conceding a comer. M'Cormack was injured, and bad to go oft. M‘Lean’s corner kick was not a good one. Tito Bed-aml-Blacks were not dangerous in their next thrust, some really concerted play between Simmonds, Murray, and MTfugb putting Otago on attack, and, taking a pass trim Mnnsie, MT.ean made an effort to score, but the shot was wide. Anderson and Coates showed np in defence, and they set ibo local boys in motion. Duncan, however, did not know what to with the hall when lie was in a bandy position. Mnnro made rt beautiful centre, but tbo visitors ‘uiaded to clear. M'Cormack. ho was limping badly, returned to the field, and at bis first kick it was seen that be would bo of no use to bis side. Anderson failed to stop Trotter, who was attacking with Sutherland, and Caskie had to come right out ol bis goal to effect a clearance. A kick by Anderson from halfway bad the Canterbury custodian thinking. 'i lie shot, boweever, was too power!ul, and went over tlio top. From tin' kick oft the Cantcrlmrv fonvards made a rush. '’he outside ball secured, but be was oil-side. It was an awkward moment lor Otago, as the shot had bit the cross-bar just, as flic whistle went. Simmonds was responsible ter placing Otago dangerously near the Canterbury goal. The defence "as altogether too solid. Play moved np and down field rapidly. Fricklelon. outside left, made a trans*Cl' to Trotter, who turned Ihe ball goalwards. (,'askie swung the hall well clear. Midfield piny followed, and, through splendid tackling bv Munsie Otago pressed strongly. Simmonds dribbled through and made another excellent centre to Duncan, although before the goal month the centre kicked wildly. lifthe last few minutes of the game Otago were attacking solidly, Canlerbnrv having tired; but the Bcd-and-Blacks were good on the defence. and the whistle sounded with the scores :—• Canterbury •*» Otago 1 THE CURTAIN RAISER The curtain-raiser was between Maori Mill and Northern second division teams, the latter winning by .‘5 goals to 2 after a strenuously-contested game. WELLINGTON COMPETITION Mnrist 2, Diamonds ]. Y.M.C.A. 4. Brooklyn 0. Thistle (Wellington) d, Bangers (Christchurch) 1. THIRD GRADE. Southern A 2, Old Boys A U. Tech. Old Boyls 7, Northern A 0. Northern li 1, Maori Hill 0. Port Chalmers 2, Southern B 0.