ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20510, 28 May 1938, Page 27 (Supplement)

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

SOUTH AUCKLAND GAMES TEAMS NOW SORTED OUT WANDERERS TAKE TIIE LEAD (By ‘ Centre.”) A definite sorting out of the teams j on the South Auckland Football Assoc.ation's championship table took place as a result of last Saturday’s games, the clubs now being separated by at least two points from each other. Playing at Seddon Park, Wanderers gained first place on the ladder when they defeated Glen Massey by four goals to three, and at Huntly Rovers had their first win and ran into third position in championship points when they gained the decision from Starr by To -a. Wanderers In the Lead The positions of the teams on the j championship table are now as fol-

Use of New Field An indication of the benefits to be gained from the use of the new field at Seddon Park was shown on Saturday when Wanderers and (Hen Massey tried conclusions. The improved standard of play may have been due to several other factors, but there is no doubt that the better playing- conditions also assisted. The increased width and length of field had a great effect on the players, who found that a great deal more effort was necessary for them to travel from one goal to the other, but this should serve them in good stead when they participate in games in other centres. Indiscriminate Kicking Apart from slowing up the game, ■ indiscriminate kicking serves little or | no purpose and frequently costs a j team a certain goal. So far this year poor shooting lias been a prominent feature of the play, and Saturday’s game at Seddon Park was no exception. McCall, for Wanderers, had several “gift” chances which were allowed to sail sky-high over the crossbar of Glen Massey's goal. This player has exhibited a tendency to wild kicking in all his games this season, but he does not hold this distinction lon his own. However, a noticeable j i point in Saturday’s play was that on ] two or three occasions when McCall i sent the ball high over the bar, a much | more gentle kick would have served the correct purpose and would have allowed for a greater degree of accuracy. ‘ Rovers More Stable I Rovers displayed a much greater • degree of stability in their play when 1 they tried conclusions with Huntly >tarr on the latter club’s ground last week. The visiting team gained their first win of the season, *nd In doing s>o went into third place on the championship table. Rovers are a fairly heavy crowd this year, but they did not use this advantage to its best purpose in the first two games they played. However. when they met rtarr they showed greater determination in finishing off their movements and they ran out winners by 10 goals to four. Illegal Tactics A noticeable point in the game at Seddon Park last week was the manner in which the players on both sides brought their elbows into play when tackling. From the way in which this offence is continued week after week it would seem that the players do not realise that they are committing a breach, but if they were stopped by the referee and shown that they were breaking the 1 rules of the game the standard of play would be greatly improved both from the point of view of the players and the spectators. Playing to the Whistle The wisdojn of playing according to the whistle was fully demonstrated in the Wanderers-Glen Massey game last week, when, while awaiting the decision for what they thought was a foul, the local team paved the way for their opponents to score. It must

be remembered that even the best of referees is liable to miss a point occasionally, but a foul is not ruled as such until the controlling official stops the play. Wanderers learnt their lesson last‘week, and the!** experience may be to the benefit of ether teams.

lows: — P. W. D. L. F. A. Pts. Wanderers .. 3 3 o 0 14 4 6 Glen Massey .320119 4 4 Hovers .. 3 l 0 2 10 14 2 | lluntly .. 3003 526 Oj