BROWN SHIELD COMPETITION. RETAINED BY WELLINGTON.

Otago Witness, Issue 2895, 8 September 1909, Page 60

BROWN SHIELD COMPETITION. RETAINED BY WELLINGTON.

WELLINGTON, September 5. About 3000 persons witnessed the Association football match for the Brown Shield, played on the Athletic Ground. The weather was fine, and the ground in good order Wellington won by 1 goal (obtained by W Gibson) to nil. Though there was a good deal of ineffective play in the first half, the game was distinctly fast and interesting. Good combination was exhibited by the Wellington forwards, and the backs were very solid as a whole in defensive work. From the opening to the close the game was little more thSh a series of chances thrown away in front of the posts. Inaccurate shooting marred the work of both teams. Blackwood (Wellington's outside left) spoilt many easy openings through defective footwork when near the posts. Be wonted more pace, energy, and accuracy. Timperly, in the first half, played his usual fast -and clever game. In The early stages he exhibited some brilliant work, and gave Sale (Auckland's skipper) many troublesome moments. He mignt nave done better at times, when near the posts, as after the reputation he has earned for fast .and accurate shooting Hi% periormance to-day was a little disappointing, especially towards the latter stages of the game. Wellington's back lines were very solid in defensive work. Time and again as Whittle, Gardiner, and Sale hung on to a ball advancing on Wellington's base, J. Pyesmith. shot back with a clean, powerful kick. He was one of the most useful members of the team. Oldnall, in Wellington's goal, was the hero of the hour. It was not very often that the Blue men gathered in Wellington's goal-mouth, but when they did the tension was broken as a rule by the Rovers' custodian. He exhibited all sorts of " saves," and his vigilance saved the home team from many a scrape. Kirschberg, Taylor, and Gibson worked well together, and the team as a whole showed a considerable improvement on the form displayed in the previous Brown Shield matches. Shergolt (Auckland's left full back) played a very serviceable game, his tactics being much the same as those of his vis-a-vis Hall. He cleared well and strongly. The Aucklander3 wanted more dash and combination in their front line, and more sting in their shooting At times their dribbling was good, but before the men could do anything they had been successfully tackled. Their inroads in the second half sometimes looked very promising. Bennebt, in Auckland's goal, was prompt and resourceful* More than one hot shot was successfully kicked or thrown out, and the only occasion when he was beaten by Gibson he had j no chance whatever. Forsaw, Auckland's ' centre forward, had any amount of pace, and exhibited" some pretty footwork. Auckland's back line was very solid, and the half backs, in which A. Marshall was conspicuous, played splendidly in concert. Marshall was perhaps the best of the visiting team.