SOCCER

Southland Times, Issue 21091, 24 May 1930, Page 18

SOCCER

(By r “Outside-Right.”)

HONOURS TO DATE

NOTES AND COMMENTS Another victory for Central. A fast thrilling game. Rangers play hard, but Central are just too good.' Jimmy McMurdo takes the whistle in the Central—Rangers match. There was less criticism of the referee than usual last Saturday. Rowland again proves to be Centrals goal-kicker. For a while last Saturday it looked as though there was going to be no score in the Central—Rangers match. Undoubtedly the teams were evenly matched. The Red and Whites had to work for their one goal, but an element of luck was not absent. Several opportunities were missed. Williams, the Rangers centre-forward, is a great toiler. He works hard right through the two spells and has little to say. Greenfield, the Central goalie, is fast, safe and efficient. He works hard takes no chances, and it takes a hot shot to beat him.' Corinthians . are practically eliminated from the McDonald Cup. They will have to wake up if they want to annex the President’s Cup. Of course, it must be realized that they have been handicapped by the absence of several of their members in the country. With a full team, they will prove to be a much tougher proposition. The playing area used at the showgrounds is far from being in a good state. The grass is long and the ground rough. The touch-lines are indistinct. In fact, when one of the players was placing the flags last Saturday he was totally at a loss as to where to plant them. After much trouble he succeeded in locating the mark made by the pole on the previous Saturday. A feature of last Saturday’s play was the fine passing rushes indulged in by the Central forwards. In fact, these tactics seem to part and parcel of the Red and Whites’ style of play. They proved effective, too. Central have a very fine goalie in Rigby. He is athletic and agile and very keen. Only once this season has he let a shot past him through being off his guard. However, he has rectified that in succeeding games by keeping the goals .against his team down. It might be mentioned that one of the reasons why the score was so low on Saturday was the splendid work put in by both goalies. Since the season has got under way, the players have abandoned the practice of turning out in various kinds of uniforms. Rangers made some determined attacks in the match against Central, but they all seemed to lack finish. One good attack was spoiled by Radford, the outside-left, handling the ball. Two of Corinthians players have been down with illness this season. Jimmy Rudolph has recovered sufficiently to be able to go down and watch his team playing. I have heard nothing of McLennan, but I believe that he will soon be donning the Light Blue jersey again. Last season it seemed to be the habit of players to carry on the games no matter what the weather was like. On one occasion it was snowing while a game was in progress. Such a course is certainly not fair to the spectators nor to the standard of the game. Some of the players may argue that they require practice, but could not this be done during the week? If the players are not sufficiently enthusiastic to hold practice nights, then the future of the game in Southland is far from bright. If the province is going to, take part in interprovincial fixtures, something will have tp be done. Bert Maxwell turned out for Central last Saturday. He played as right full-back and played his usual dashing game. He is a decided reinforcement to the Red and Whites. Entries for the Chatham Cup, which originally closed on May 1, show an increase on those of previous years. In view of the renresentations made bv three northern associations, the New Zealand Council decided to extend the date of closing to Monday, May 19. At the last meeting of the council it was reported that- eight entries had been received from the South Island, and that about 20 were expected from the North Island, with a possibility of two from the West Coast. The following Wellington clubs have entered Thistle, Petone, Hospital, Marist, and W.Y.M.I. (late Y.M.C.A.). The Dunedin teams likely to take part are Maori Hill, Northern, Seacliff and Port Chalmers. The English Soccer season has ended with Sheffield Wednesday top of the first ladder for the second year in succession, and Derby County the runners-up. A desperate scrap, at the bottom found Burnley and Everton the victims of relegation. The season before last, with Dixie Dean at his zenith, Everton won the first division championship, and is one of the wealthiest clubs in England. Now for the first time it goes down a grade, while Blackpool and Chelsea move up. -Chelsea has been battling hard to get back to full seniority again, and is at last rewarded. Notts County and Hull City go down to third grade, Port Vale and Plymouth Argyle, winning their sections in the third grade, and qualifying for promotion. For six successive seasons Plymouth ran second in the southern section, so its reward has long been delayed. In Scotland, the first division ended in Rangers finishing on top, having 28 wins out of 36 matches played, with Motherwell runnersup with 24 wins out of 37 matches played. The two teams to be relegated to the second division are Dundee United and St. Johnstone. Leith Athletic, 23 wins 'and 11 draws, out of 37 matches, and East Fife, 26 wins and five draws, out of 38 matches, are equal with 57 points in the second division. Albion Rovers, with 24 wins and five draws, out of 37 games, being next on the list. A movement rapidly gaining ground Jn Britain has the objective of including'in the controlling officials two goal judges (states an exchange). The many games won and lost ’••• a decision of a referee in awarding or disallowing a goal has created this agitation for reform. An appeal by the “Athletic News” to try goal judges has met with widespread support. It is suggested that the present official linesmen should act as goal judges, and that the linesmen should be club officials, whose powers should be limited to deciding when the ball is in touch. The suggested innovation appears to be an excellent one. Goal judges are appointed in water polo when the area under control of the referee is infinitely more restricted than the fields of play' in Soccer. Exchanges are so frequent in our game that it is almost impossible for the referee to be always up with the play. Incidents often occur when the referee Is not in a good position to make a decision, and he invariably gives the benefit of any doubt to the defenders. The appointment of goal judges would effectively eliminate the possibility of doubt, and, though to a certain’degree, it would restrict the powers of the referee, the innovation would be welcome to that official, as he is relieved of a grave responsibility, and is afforded a tremendous help in the conduct of a game.

McDonald CUP. Goals. p. w. L. D. F. A. Pts. Central 3 3 0 0 8 1 0 Rangers 3 2 1 0 4 4 4 Corinthians 2 0 0 4 11 0