SOCCER SIDELIGHTS PASSING NOTES

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 450, 4 September 1928, Page 11

SOCCER SIDELIGHTS PASSING NOTES

(By

Perseus

Back Again. —After a very brief abnce of a month, which gave* both ellington and Canterbury just a Lmpse of the silversmith's craft don-

ated to the Dominion by the Football Association, the handsome masterpiece has returned again to Auckland with the meritorious win of the local representatives on the Basin Reserve last Saturday. Auckland has never yet suffered a defeat in a match for the trophy, and never was a victory more brilliantly won than in Saturday's match with Wellington. It was only on Monday of last week that mobilisation orders were issued by Mr. Phil Neesham, the sole selector, for the team to travel South on Thursday, and tho loyal response of the players to the call was greatly appreciated by followers of the code here.

Triumph For Team Work. —There were some pessimistic ones who thought that Wellington’s hollow defeat of Canterbury by 7 goals to 4 presaged a disastrous defeat for Auckland. Others thought the loss of so many of last season’s reps, through the breakaway of Thistle spelt a certain lost trophy. But it is doubtful if Auckland has ever been represented by a better combination than the team which recartured the trop.iy. It was not so much a question of individual brilliance as the perfect dove-tailing of each division which overwhelmed Wellington and gave the large crowd of spectators a delightful display of scientific Soccer. There was no attempt at solo stunting or gallery play, hut every movement had a definite objective, and there was scarcely a pass wasted in any of Auckland’s irresistible raids. Time after time a Wellington attack would be checked, and in less time than it takes to describe it the ball travelled from full back to the half, out to a wingforward and across would come a perfectly-placed centre.

Sporting Contest. —One fine feature of the match was the sporting spirit in which the game was played. It was keen and willing throughout, but also one of the cleanest contests ever seen in Wellington. When it is recorded that only one foul was given during the whole of the 'ga me, the friendly nature of the struggle is apparent, and the referee was highly praised for the complete absence of any whistling intervention. The controlling official was also specially complimented by the Governor-General on his perfect handling of a particularly lively game. His Excellency is a very keen follower of the code, and was quite sincere when presenting the trophy in congratulating the winners qj} giving tho most delightful exhibition of Soccer he had seen since leaving his native Scotland. Only once was the game interrupted through, injury, and that was when the two centre halves came into a head to collision while in the air in an attempt to head the ball. It was a case of "when Scot meets Scot,” and both were knocked out. Christie recovered quickly, with nothing worse than a headache, but Campbell had to be carried off, and although he returned gallantly to the fray he was groggy for the remainder of the second spell.

Even Combination. — The Auckland side was a splendidly balanced team, without a weak spot or a single "hole” in the side. Batty was absolutely brilliant in clearing everything which came his way. from long range drives to point-blank pops, and it must have seemed to the Wellington forwards as though he filled the whole of the goalmouth Gerrard and Simpson were an ideal pair of backs, and their quiet, methodical style was much more effective than the spectacular dashing bout and wild hooting of Steele and v» McGirr. The half line was the foundation stone of Auckland's success. Time after time Tinkler, Christie and Jones robbed the Wellington forwards with clever tackling, and sent the flying Auckland van away with perfect placements of the ball. The forwards were an ideal line, with

a fine understanding between them. Davis and Chalmers formeda great left wing which frequently left the Blacks’ defence standing, while Innes and Humphreys worked well together on the right, and Spencer held his wings in touch with great generalship. Spencer was closely marked as the dangerous scoring factor, but twice he fooled the opposing backs by “dummying” strong centres from Chalmers and so giving Innes an open target. The evergreen “Bob” was as mercurial as ever, and just missed adding a fourth goal to his first half hat trick.

Return Match. —One of the conditions on which Auckland journeyed South at such short notice was Wellington’s agreement to play a return game here on Saturday next, and the meeting at Blandford Park should draw a record crowd. Wellington’s brief possession of the trophy has whetted the appetite of the Blacks for a longer spell as custodians. They naturally object to Auckland’s monopoly of so desirable a piece of plate, and will be all out on Saturday to get even with the Auckland raiders. Mr. Hicks, the Wellington selector, was freely criticised for his changes in the team which piled up so substantial a score against Canterbury, and it will be interesting to note his selection for Saturday’s challenge game. Auckland has no certainty on, but if the team reproduces the great form shown last Saturday it will take a powerful lot of beating, and it is gratifying to record that the seeming depreciation in the standard of Soccer here this season is more apparent than real.

Durham Suspension Sensation. —The sensational suspension by the Football Association of 18 clubs, 61 officials and 342 players, has brought about a situation unique in the history of the game. It now appears that the common practice of the Durham clubs was to pay their players from 2s 6d to 5s as lunch amd tea money. Many of the players were miners out of work, or unemployed artisans who preferred eating their lunch and tea with their hungry families, but the Football Association insisted on regarding this as professionalism and imposed the suspensions for wilful breaches of the amateur definition. Now, the whole of the Council of the Durham Football Association has declared itself equally guilty of making similar payments, and has suspended itself for the- same period as the clubs affected!

No Breakaway Contemplated. —The self-suspended councillors, 18 in number, are unanimous in opposing any idea of forming a separate body, and the F.A. is now seeking some solution of the unique position which has arisen. The whole of the Durham County is at present without any controlling authority, and it is probable the F.A. of Northumberland or the North Riding of Yorkshire will be asked to accept the Durham clubs into provisional membership. Meantime everything is chaos so far as amateur and minor football in the county is concerned, and there is more than a suggestion made that in neighbouring counties the same venial offence of making a flat rate payment to players for meals has been a regular practice for many years.

ANSWER TO CORRESPONDENT C.E. (Dominion Road). —English E.A. Cup winners since 1920 are:—l92o, Aston Villa; 1921, Tottenham Hotspur; 1922, Huddersfield T.: 1923, Bolton W.; 1924, Newcastle U.; 1925, Sheffield U.; 1926, Bolton W.; 1927, Cardiff C.; 1928, Blackburn R.