ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20281, 25 August 1937, Page 10

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

THE ANSELL CUP FINAL. WANDERERS’ STRONG POSITION. LITTLE IMPRESSIVE ABOUT PLAY. (By “Pivot.”) Hamilton Wanderers are now In a strong position in the Ansell Cup competition and they should repeat this week Saturday’s success at Huntly. The withdrawal of Pukemiro from the series certainly left Wanderers with every prospect of victory, but on several occasions they have jeopardised their position: On Saturday it was only in the last few minutes that they asserted themselves, and prior to this their play -was very ragged. Goal In Doubt. The necessity for having goal ne'/s in good repair was demonstrated on Saturday when C. Crabb -scored Wanderers’ third goal. The ball flashed high into a corner of the net where there was a hole in the mesh, and for those on the side-line it was quite impossible to discern whether it was a goal or not. After an inspection, the referee, Mr T. Chalklen, awarded the points, but it must have been difficult to arrive at a decision. It is to be hoped that the referee will not be placed in a similar position in the future. A Good Half Back. Half-back play has been weak In South Auckland competitions this season, but in this department Huntly have a very sound man in Basslck. His positional play is always good and he gives that backing-up which is essential for a key position on the field. Too many half backs this year have appeared as individualists and not as that all-valuable connecting link between defence and attack. Shows Promise. Although his kicking is inaccurate at times, Fisher, the young Wanderers’ full back, shows promise of becoming a valuable member of the side. As he is only 17 there is still plenty of time for improvement. Wanderers this season unfortunately lost the services of A. Crabb, a South Auckland representative back, but Fisher has so far filled the vacancy well. Players Bewildered. Several players on both sides on Saturday appeared rather bewildered with the. new rule in connection with charging a goalkeeper. If the custodian is in possession of the ball or is in the act of playing the , ball a charge is legal, it is not permitted, however, to kick the ball when in the goalkeeper’s possession or to charge him unless he is actually making coniact with the ball. Even in ttie latter instance it is within the discretionary powers of Ihe controlling official to award a free kick for a foul if in his opinion the actions of an attacking player arc calculated 1o be dangerous. Therefore in the normal course of events, if a goalie is reaching for a ball when lying on the ground no opponent would be within the laws of the game in attempting fo kick the ball while tho defending player was m a position which left him open to injury. Rookllke Defence. A splendid display of full-back play was given by A. Hall, of Huntly-Starr on Saturdav. On his form this year he is easily the best right back in South Auckland. Forwards who make the mistake of endeavouring lo outmanoeuvre him usual]v llncl that they are anvlhine hut successful, as Hall is an adept at turning ..defence into attack, in an effort lo pull the game out of the lire on Saturday Hall came up from the full back position to the forwards, hut I lie change was not o great success. Forwards Rearranged. The rearrangement of Wanderers’ forwards, with J. Stewart at outside right. McCall at inside right and 0. Crabb at centre forward, did nnt prove satisfactory. C. Crabb cannot he recognised as the player who showed so much promise last year, lie appears to have suffered a complete lapse or form and lie loses valuable opportunities by over-eagerness McCall was heller when transferred to lhe centre, hut neither player appears lilted to the position.