SOCCER

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XX, Issue 191, 2 August 1930, Page 10

SOCCER

(By

“Centre Half")

The fight for tho Sachs-Johnston Shield on last Saturday s results appears more keen and interestuig than ever. In the majority of cases in previous seasons it has usually been rivalry between two teams, but this season three clubs have each a chance and it is quite possible that the issue will not be decided until the last game. Whakatu, on paper, certainly have an advantage as their remaining three games are all played on Cornwall Park. • • •

Y.M.C.A. have two home games out of the three and United two games away from home.

Y.M. require four points out of the possible six to feel secure, Whakatu five, and United must at least obtain an equal number to have a chance. • • a

To-day Whakatu should add two more points to their credit at the expense of Rangers. Y.M.C.A. adn United should be a great game in Napier. Y.M. are conspicuous this season in drawn games, having played five ties out of eleven games altogether.

United have Improved wonderfully and can always bo relied unon to put up ft frond name in This season they divided the honours in both games in the seaside town and on each occasion with a weak ebven. Today it is expected they will be at full strength.

The game last Saturday in Napier was a hard duel. No score at half time and Whakatu leading by one goal until seven minutes from tune when Lawrie, misjudging the flight of the ball, let a cross-kick from Geddis into the net.

United had no difficulty in taking two much needed points from the Rangers. The Blues fielded a very weak team and the United were never extended. Tasker, Woods and Gray were the most prominent for the visitors.

The United were at full strength and showed better team ,work and combination than previously seen this season When they did get on the move they just did as they pleased with the Rangers’ weak defence, but evidently goals were not in request as opportunity after opportunity was let go by.

Piling on the score against weak opponents is not to be recommended but neither is slackness in the field, which often develops into a habit and a team fails in a critical game.

L. Atkins is playing splendidly in goal at present and lus prospects of developing into a first-class custodian are really good. Tasker made numerous fine s ives and clearances but has been seen to greater advantage; he had no chance whatever with the first goal from Balesworth. Tiie latter, a newcomer to the code, appears to be a good speculation on the part of United. He is improving all the time and is already credited with three goals. He requires finish, polish and experience uow.

Vanaan partnered Brehaut on the left wing and although the formed was not quite as good as usual the pair made a hot combination. Simmonds showed up well on the opposite wing but hangs on too long at times. • » •

The outstanding feature of the game, of which United had fully To per cent, of the plav, was the few comer kicks conceded. Five throughout the 90 minutes and four of them to the Rangers. *

The Poverty Bay F.A. have approached the H.B.F.A. with a view of the Bay sending a team to Gisborne. Soccer in Gisborne and district is apparently at a very' low ebb and the P.B.F.A. consider that a visit from an outside team may stimulate the game up there.

Hawke’s Bay appear to be the “softies” among the various associations. With the exception of ihu touring Chinese and Canadian tpams only once in eight or nine years has an outside rep .team visited tho Bay. Tho Black and White reps, have twice visited Hamilton —which was unavoidable —in quest of the Brown Shield, twice to Gisborne and once to Palmerston. Two , outsido club teams have visited this district —St. Andrew’s in tho Chatham Cup. and the Mercantile from Gisborne—while Whakatu have been to Palmerston once, and the United to Gisborne once, Wairoa once and’Palmerston three times. ’

Isn’t it about time we have some outside teams to pay. us a visitP Representative and club teams from other districts would add interest to an otherwise monotonous routine of competition games nnd would certainly stimulate the game and increase public interest.

Action is to be taken by the local association m regard to the use of onscene language on the field of play. The referee had occasion to caution players in the UnitedRangers game and quite recently anotuer was ordered off the field in Napier. In future any player ordered off for obscene language will be automatically suspended for two playing Saturdays lor the first offence. For a second offence the association have power to inflict a heavier penalty.

It was decided to send a team to Gisborne on the second Saturday in September if that date is agreeable to tho Poverty Bay Association. This arrangement was unavoidable owing to congestion of fixtures. To work in the Gisborne game the Hibbert Shield competition will be decided on the ‘knock-out” principle and even so the remaining fixtures will run until tho first Saturday in September.