Llangollen Advertiser Denbighshire Merionethshire and North Wales Journal

FOOTBALL. WREXHAM BEATEN BY BIRMINGHAM. BIRMINGHAM roo 3 GOALS. WREXHAM. NONE. (By X,Y.Z.) Wrexham Were beaten by Birmingham by three clear goals on Saturday, and few of the three thousand spectators who visited the Racecourse would be pre- pared to challenge the title of the Midlanders to the Iionoura of the day. The Welshmen were fairly and squarely beaten by a better side and as the com- petition progresses it is becoming increasingly evident that the combination secured by the Wrexham club Is unequal to the demands that will be made upon it during the coming winter. ALL SHREDS AND PATCHES." Birmingham were represented by a well-balanced eleven with fairly reliable backs and halves, and, al- though the standard of play was not equal to that Shown by the League reserve strings, before the war, it was sufficiently high to throw into bold relief the defects of the opposition. These defects were of a eerious character and first impressions as to the real power of the Welsh side, which were formed after the opening games, were confirmed at the close of the Birmingham match on Saturday. The Wrexham defence was all shreds and patches. j [k few of the patches were bright and effective; the others completely spoilt a good picture. I have been in and out of football crowds observing the form of Birmingham League players for many seasons, but I cannot, recall a game at Wrexham in which the back play was as disappointing as it was on Saturday. The Wrexham backs were unreliable and flurried when any pressure was exerted by the Birmingham C4Drwards and strong returns were as a heavy discount from start to finish. Steady work in the middle line &ad satis,fictory performances on the goal line, gt&ved oft really serious disaster until the last stage of the game, but when this point was reached the defence,fell to pieces. Coupled with these obvious defects in the lines of defence, the Wrexham com- bination suffered considerably through the absolute failure of the attack. The forwards failed to effect a single breach in the wall of the Birmingham fort, and, after making due allowance for the absence vi (support, the fact remains that not a single goal was scored. The Birmingham players scored three tanps, and there were moments in the last Quarter d an hour when they looked like winning by an even wid-r margin. They secured a useful lead early in if;e game and as time went on, the spectators were forced to the conclusion that Wrexham would lose the points, not only through the weakness of the defence. but through the inability of the forwards to score goals. The extreme wing work, particularly on the .1 left, was well done and aroused much enthusiasm, but at the end of it all the score sheet was biajk. There was no effective leadership of the Wrexham front line; play on the right wing was often much too c"e; and with but a few exceptions the finishes were in- effective. In short there was no cohesiJ:) and it will be necessary to reconstruct the line, and perhaps to fortify it too, if goals are't* be ga;nd. On the fo*m displayed against Birmingham, the existing quintet will not winmaoy matches. Go?s st''i decice :he Issue of every game and the season is yc,ung enough to justify the selectors iu adopting a hold policy in the next few matches. The club is receiving an in- creasing measure of public support and this can only be maintained by a winning team- The present can- stitution of the eleven must be revised at once; trials have been given to young players and old players, end, where t-he necessary standard has not been -Teached, it is advisable to introduce new blood with- out delay. The problem of reconstructing a Birming- ham League eleven, with all the complications caused by existing agreements, is not easy to solve. It h, of course, possible to ring the changes with the existing lAiLyerz, btit this will not save the club at the end of the season. It must not be inferred from this criticism of the play that the Birmingham attack Was all that could be desired in that the Midland eleven will continue their winnicig career in the League. fl\ more stable opposition than that provided by the Welshmen on Saturday would probably produce very different effects, and, notwithstanding the extnnt of the victory, much of the credit for it belongs to the endurance of the defenders. I THE GAME. Saturday was not an ideal day for football. The ground was wet and the ball was not easy to control. The conditions made accurate foot ball difficult and this probably increased the troubles of those players Who are new to Birmingham League football. The game opened in favour of Wrexham and for quite taJf-?i-bour the play was repeattdly c"dned to thel ,Birmmsham half. The home forwards took part in a ,eries of combmed movemenh in which Bell and both judgment and skill. The I methods employed, however, did not produce auy' scoring successes for when the Welsh forwards came to grips with Watson and White, the scene of play was changed time after time, The Welshmen did not øém to be able to drive home their attack and God- frey was only occasionally required to take part m the proceedings. Watson and Cooper were particular- iy prominent in defemding the Birmingham goal and as a result of their good work, the visiting forwards often broke away to make flying raids on the Wrex- ham goal. Da vies on the Birmingham left was an alua-rve winger and his skilful work caused consider- able anxiety to Boxley and Matthias owing to, the nmcertainty of the back division. IJoxley, however, was in capital form and one of his clearances from SEvaas was a smart display of fielding a wet ball. I Wrexham returned to the attack and capital com- bination Olll the part of Bell and Goode enabled F. Roberta to break through on the left. He made good progress and at the end was just off the target I with a capital cross shot. Before the interval the Birmingham forwards asserted themselves end after Bexley had saved finely from Elkes, and again from a corner, the goal fell, G. Davies scoring In a rare tussle, following, a flag kick, the ball passing into the net off E. D. Roberts, the home centre-half. The second half ran on fairly even lines for thirty minutes. The Welsh forwards made numerous attacks on the visiting goal and following capital wing work by Bell and F. Roberts, Owen took up the centre and dashed away for the goal. He was fouled by one of the backs, but Goode rushed up between the players and drove for goal from eighteen yards range, jhst: missing the mark. G. Davies was a constant source of trouble to the 'home defenders. Once he was brought down rather heavily by Hughes and it would not have1 been sur- prising if a penalty kick had been awarded. But the referee, who handled the game throughout with marked fairness and ability, did not intervene. Davies soon recovered and continued his forceful work on the wing with the result that Boxley had to be smart to prevent Roberts converting the centre. The Wrex- hamites returned to the attack. Godfrey saved well from F. Roberts, and turned aside a dangerous centre from Lewis. Goode bad a fast shot charged down and for several minutes the home players were swarm- ing like bees about the Birmingham goal. But they were harmless bees and both Bell and Owen failed to seize good scoring chances which came their way •while Birmingham were only one point ahead. At the other end Geo. Davies missed an easy chance whilst Boxley rushed out and took the ball from the toe of th^ Birmingham centre-forward amidst loud cheers. Hikes, however, was more successful just afterwards ) and his prompt acceptance of a centre from Davies settled the issue. Close upon time Boxley had to leave his goal in an enbrt to assist his colleagues. J£esuœeded in getting the ball away but it passed out to Evan3 who shot at a venture and scored with I r a high shot from twenty-five yards rangll before ( Bosstey could regain his position in the goal. I THE PLAYERS. t Boxley is a capital custodian, but the finest goal- I' keeper in the laiad cannot give of his best unless he is properly corvered by safe backs. Boxley was in a I tangle just before the end of the game when the third goal was scored, but before this he gave am excellent display. S. Hughes and Parry formed the back division and both fell short of the standard required in the Birmingham League. Matthias was far and away the most effective defender on the field. He gave good support to his forwards and his interven- tions when the Birmingham left wingers broke away were both timely and successful. E. D. Roberts played remarkably well in the opening half hour, al- though called upon to fill a position for which, in my judgment, he is not suited. He will not experience any difficulty in securing a place in the team and, personally, I should like to see his, work as a wing half or forward. Griffiths did not reproduce the form shown in previous matches, but he played a hard game. Of the forwards S. Lewis and F. Roberts on the extreme wings were responsible for many capital runs. Both men should be encouraged, particularly Roberts wb > should, quickly develop into a very useful winger. S. Lewis may render more effective service as an inside forward. Bell and Owen were extremely disappointing and Goode seemed to be the only mem- ber of the inside trio likely to score at all. Fre- quently in the second, half the attack was sufficiently persistent to give promise of success, but it was no; realised. For Birmingham both backs played soundly and Cooper is an effective half-back. Forward, useful work was performed by Elkes, but G. Davies, the ex Wellington and Wrexham winger, was the best of the bunch. Teams Wrexham: Boxley; S. Hughes, Parry; Matthias, E. D. Roberts, Griffiths; S. Lewis, Goode, Owen, Bell and F. Roberts. Birmingham: Godfrey; Watson, White; Evans, Cooper, Crowe; Roberts Jones, Elkes, Scorgie and G. Davies. Referee: G. E, Ellis. Hawarden. Attendance, 2,894; receipts, R149. NORTH WALES ALLIANCE II OSWESTRY COMRADES v. CONNAH'S QUAY.- Played at Oswestry on Saturday. After both ball, had been burst the match was abandoned within 28 minutes of time, the visitors leading by 4 goals to 2. The replay jsunder consideration. CHIRK v. LLAY IT-A? ?--Played at Chirk on Satur day. The home team opened strongly, their forwards being very active, and from a corner Vau?hM' ?open,ed the score with a low shot and Hulse aug- mented the score two minutes later. Play beenmc more even after this and Llay Hail visited the home custodian on many occasions. Five minutes from the interval Hughes ran through and scored a third goal for Chirk. On resuming Chirk again took up the play, and Roberts on the extreme left gave the visitors a warm time, his centres being a feature of the match, and from two of these the home centre quickly added two goals. The home backs were not over. safe and let Williams through to score for Llay Hall a few minutes before time. Result: Chirk 5; Llay Hall 1. JOTTINGS FROM THE WELSH BORDER AND ELSEWHERE I (By X.Y.Z.) I Next Saturday Wrexham visit Nuneaton -to fulfil their Birmingham League fixture. Originally it was arranged to play off the two games on Sept. 13 and 20, but on the former date Nuneaton were engaged in the English Cup, and Wrexham agreed to go over to Nuneaton on the 20th on the understanding that Nun- eaticn visit, Wrexham on Boxing Day. A special re- port of the match will be given in the Border Coun- ties Advertiser. The Welsh F.A. will find the task of selecting an am-ateu- international eleven to meet "England in the New Year, cue of extraordinary difficulty. I suggest that advantige, sboiild be taken of the next few months to send representatives to the university (»wns to see the collegiate game and as the Chirk c!ub is now run on a purely amateur basis it might be well to watch the progress of players there. Chirk is one of the best training schools in the kingdom. r Walsall have signed Whittaker (Aston Villa). I Walsall have ,Igned Whittaker (Aston Villa). i Littlewood (Aston Villa) has signed for Wellington Town. He is An experienced left back. The Wrex- ham F.C. were in touch with Littlewood and in view of the very short list of players at the call of the club it would be interesting to know why the direc- .tors failed to secure his $ernces. lor course, fO otb' allts" fnH of technicalities and sub- tleties and fine shades of skill; but it does not re- I quire a deep sthay o? the game to understand !ts most stirring elements. The aims and objects of the opposing teams are plain for all to see. Half its I appeal lies in its simplicity. Try to explain the points of cricket to a female relation, and you will be in danger of dying in despair. But in half-a-dozen sentences you could make a stranger from the outer Idrankness of the Himalayas' comprehend the purpose of a football match,-H. J. Henley, in the Daily 11'" '1" Mail." The amateur player ought to be placed in this posi- j tion :-He should bo able to protect himself and the club for which he plays, from the poaching efforts of other clubs; his registration as an amateur should automatically lapse at the end of each season, and he should be free to play the following season for any club he chooses; a transfer fee should not be payable in respect of any amateur transferred during the play- ing season unless he become a professional in that season.—"Sunday Express." In reply to the resolution of the Players' Union asking for the abolition of the transfer system, "the players can comfort themselves with the reflection that this change is assured. Indeed, the transfer list may disappear entirely ere the game is much older. Athletic News." Wrexham were beaten at home by Birmingham on Saturday. The Wrexham directors will have to find new backs at once if they are to maintain the old position of the club., G. h. Ellis, of Ha warden, one of the new Bir- mingbam League referees, is an efficient controller of the game who deserves to make headway. He keeps up with the play and is fair to both sides. The Welsh F. A. intend in their cup-t^e games to give as many new referees -as possible a chance of, displaying their ability. Nearly three thousand people visited Wrexham Race- course on Saturday, and the gates receipts amounted j to just on Lizio, Meredith, the famous Welsh international, who is still unattached, has not, T am told, refused a club managership .in the north. It has not been offered to him. Manchester United have not settled up Meredith's benefit account and this is the reason he is not yet playing. He contends that the United owe hca 9820. I understand LI. Davies, the Welsh international and Wrexham back, is going into training this week and may soon be back in harness again. The old Wrexham captain served during the war and since demobilisation has kept himself fit on the tennis lawn. Like another Welsh international—Grenville Morris, of Nottingham Forest, LI. Davies can use a racquet to great advantage. The adjourned meeting of the Shrewsbury and Dis- i trict Amateur League was held on Wednesday. Mr. J. Palmer presiding. Dawley Amateurs, Coleham Rovers and Pontesbury White Stars made applica- tions to join the League and it unanimously decided to admit them. The meeting was further adjourned until to-mSpht (Wed.) to arrange fixtures. I am glad to hear that the Newtown Football Club have entered for the Welsh Senior and Amateur Cups and Montgomeryshire League. Mr. C. Woodyatt Pope, 18, Broad St., Newtown, is secretary of the club and about SO promising young players have been secured. The secretary says: Our prospects for the season are very good, as we have lots of good young players to select from and enthusiasm in Newtown is very keen." I THIS WEEK'S FIXTURES. SATTTRDAY, SEPTEMBLP. 20. THE LEAGUE.—DIVISION 1. Arsenal v. Sunderland T. Tomlinson Aston Villa v. Liverpool A. Peilowe Bolton Wanderers v. Manchester City C. lllsley Bradford City v. Derb)" H. Crossthwaite Burnley v. Blackbury Rovers S. A. Lowe Ever ton v. West Brom. Albion T. W. Annal Manchester United v Preston S. Rothwell Newcastle Urrted v. Chelsea A. Scholey Notts County v. Sheffield Wednesday T. G. Bryan Oldham Athletic v Bradford J. Gilroy Sheffield Utrted v. Middlesbrough J. W. Fowler i THE LEAGUE.—DIVISION II. Barnsley v. Notts Forest J. 0. Forshaw Blackpool v. Stoke J. Davies Bristol City v. Lincoln City S. D .Peers Coventry City v. Birmingham J. T. Hornby j Fulham v, Le1cestr Fos? F. 1. Freemantle Huddersfield v. Grimsby G. W. Drewery Hull City v. Leeds City J. T. Howcroft South Shields' v. Tottenham A. F. Eirby Stockport County v. Bury J. H. Alderson West Ham v. Rotherham County A. Warner Wol'ton Wand'rs v. Clapton Orient ..T. H. Prescott SOUTHERN LEAGUE.—DIVISION 1. j Brighton and Hove v. Bristol Rovers R. C. Wilding } Crystal. Palace v. Norwich City J. Liiley Jardiff City v,Giliingharn" E. C. Gaccon iSxeter City v. Swansea Town C. EI. Green Millwall v. Reading F. J. Proctor Northampton v. Brentford H. Smith Newport v. Plymouth Argyle E. F. Ford Portsmouth v. Merthyr E. G. Tomlinson Queen's Park Rangers v. Luton E. Tolfree windon Town v. Southampton F. Oglesby .Vatford Y. Southend United R. R. Crump BIRMINGHAM AND DISTRICT LEAGUE. ?uneaton v. Wrexham  C. Lntwyche Worcester y. Shrews b ur D. H. Asson West Bromwich Albion v. Hednesford J. Mason Wellington v. Willenhall E. J. Horton Wednesbury v. Brierley Hill E. J. Little Walsall v. Wolverhampton A.' Simeox Stourbrldgev. Darlastoh F. Heath Stoke v. Coventry A. W. Turley Birmingham v. Kidderminster S. D. Jones NORTH WALES ALLIANCE.—DIVISION I. Rhos v. Ruabon. G. H. Ellis Uay Hall v. Esclusham J. Macfarlane Brymbo Institute v. Rhosymedre E. Carless Rhyl v. R.W,F. W. Gandy Connah's Quay v Court Aulds J. R. Evison NORTH WALES ALLIANCE.—DIVISION II. Rhosmes<sney v. Stansty H. Hughes Holt 1. Rhosrobin W. Jaekson Powells v Garden Village League Tables and Results. I ENGLISH CUP. Extra Preliminary Round. BloxwichStroljers 0; ellington Town 0, Darlastor 5; Talbot-Stead 1. Tamworth 3; Nuneaton 8. Kidderminster Harriers 4; Redditch 0. Cradley St. Lukes 3; Wednesbury 1. Hie,(Inesford 5; Halesowen 3. THE LEAGUE.—DIVJSION I. I < P. W. L. D. F. A, Pts Derby County 5 3 0 2 9 S 8 West Bromw,ch A. Zi 4 1 0 13 C 8 Burnley ..< 6 3 1 2 6 8 8 Middlesborough 4 3 0 1 7 2 7 Sunderland S 3 1 1 9 6 7 i Everton 5 S 2 0 10 7 6 J Liverpwl 5 3 2 0 9 7 0 Bradford 5 3 & Q C S 6 Manchester United 5 2 1 2 7 C 6 | Shield United .d' 4 2 1 1 9 & 5 Chelsea 5 2 2 1 7 6 5 Manchester City 5 2 2 1 11 12 5 1 Arsenal  5 2 2 1 0 "lS I Newcastle United 5 2 2 1 4 7 51 BIkburll Rovers 4 1 1 4 8 5 4\ Bradford City. 6 1 3 2 10 ? 41 -Notts Cotmty 4 1 2 1 3 .1 8 Bolton Wanderers 5 1 3 1 7 8 81 Oldham Athletic 5 1 4 0 5 12 2 Preston North End 0 0 3 2 5 14 221 Sheffield Wednesday 5 0 3 2 1 7 2 AstQII Villa S 0 4 1 4 10 1 Played on September 10. Burnley 2; Bolton Wanderers 1. Bradford City 2; Preston North End 2. Sunderland 3; Chelsea 2. Played on September 13. Blackburn Rovers 2; Burnley 3. Brdford 2; Oldham Athletic O. Chelsea 0; Newcastle United 0. Derby County 3; Bradford City 0. Liverpool 2; Aston Villa 1. Manchester City 1; Bolton Wanderers 4. Middlesbrough 1; Sheffield United 0. Preston North End 2; Manchester United 8. Sheffield Wednesday 0; Notts County 0. Sunderland l; Arsenal 1. West Bromwich Albion 4; Everton 3. THE LEAGUE.-DIVISION II. I P. W. L. D. F. A.Pts Tottenham Hotspur a 0 0 19 3 10 Bristol City 5 3 '0 2 4 1 8 Wolverhampton Wand. 5 S Q 2 10 3 8 Stoke 5 4 1 0 9 5 8 Birmingham 5 3 1 1 12 3 7 Bamsley ó 2 0 12. 3 6 Blackpool Õ 3 2 0 18 5 6 3 2 0 10 4 6 Leeds City 5 3 2 0 11 6 6 West Ham United 5 2 2 1 -6 11 5 Hull City 5 2 2 1 7 8 6 I Huddersfleld Town A 3 2 0 3 4 4 Fulham 4 2 2 0 4 5 4 South Shields 5 2 3 0 8 7 4 Rotherham County. 5 2 3 0 5 9 4 I Grimsby Town 5 2 8 0 4 11 4 Nottingham Forest ??j 1. ? 1 5 6 3 LeUeste: City 5 1 3 1 7 13 3 Bury 4 1 3 0 2 4 2 Lmcotn City 5 0 3 2 2 14 2 Ciapton Orient, 4 0 3 1 1 4 1 Coventry City 5 0 S 0 2 20 0, Played on September 10. Birmingham 4; South Shields 0. Played on September 11. Leeds City 4; Coventry City 0. Tottenham Hotspur 4; Leicester City 2, Played on September 13. Birmingham 4; Coventry City 1. Bury 0; Stockport County 2. ) Lincoln City 0; Bristol City 0. Clapton Orient 0; Wolvdrtiampton Wanderers 0. > Grimsby Town 1; BuddersBeId Town a. Leeds City 1; Hull J'ty Leicester City 3; Fuiham 2., Notts Forest 0; Earnsaey 1. Stoke 2; B.iacKpooi 0. Tottenham Hotspur 2; South Shields 0, Rotherham County E); West Ham United > SOUTHERN LEAGUE.-DIVISION I. P. W. i. D. F. A. Pis I Watford 6 5 0 1 11 4 11 Portsmouth 5 3 x 1-8 2 7i Brentford a 3 1 110 7 J Exeter City 5 2 0 3 7 5 7 rlymoutU ^rgyle 5 2 1 2 S 2 6 Queen's Park Rangers 5 2 1 2 4 2 a Giliingham 5 2 1 2 3 2 6 Swindon Town j 2 1 2 6 I) 6 Norwich City. 4 2 1 1 9 7 5 i Reading 5 1 1 3 5 4 5 Cardiff City 5 1 1 3 9 8 5 Millwall 3 1 1 3 6 6 5 Crystal Palace 5 1 1 3 6 8 5 Southampton 5 2 2 1 6 8 5 Southend United 5 1 2 2 5 S 4 Luton Town 5 1 2 2 7 8 4 Swansea Town 5 1 3 1 4 6 3 Northamp 5 1 3 1 8 11 3 Bristol Rovers 5 0 2 3 6 11 3 Merthyr Town 5 1 2 2 4 4 4 j Brighton and Hove A. 4 0 2 2 4 6 I Newport County 6 0 5 1 3 16 I Played on September 20. Exeter City 1; Reading 0. Giliingham 2; Luton Town 0. Crystat Palace 2; Portsmouth 1. Played on September 11. Watfori! 1; Newport 0. Played on September 18. Bristol Rorers 1; Millwall i. Brentford 0; Portsmouth 2.. Giliingham 0; Exeter City 0. Luton Town 2; Cardiff City 2. Norwich City 3; Northamptoo Town 1. Plymouth Argvle 1; Brighton and Hove 0. Reading 1; Swindon Town x. j Southampton 2; Queen's Park Rangers 1. Southend United 1; Crystal Palace 1. Swansea Town 0; Watford 1. Merthyr Town 3; Newport County 0. BIRMINGHAM & DISTRICT LEAGUE. p, W. L. D. F A. Pts Shrewsbury 3 3 0 0 10 4 6 Wellington 3 2 0 1 7 3 5 Wiilenhail 2 1 0 7 6 4 2 1 0 7 6 4 Wolverhampton 3 2 1 0 5 5 4 Coventry City 3 2 1 0 8 $ 4 Wednesbury 2 1 0 1 3 1 3 Hednesford 3 1 1 1 7 4 3 Kidderminster 2 1 0 1 8 7 3 Brierley Hiii 3 1 1 1 7 4 8 Birmingham 1 1 0 0 3 0 2 Nuneaton 2 1 1 0 4 3 2 Worcester .)3 1 2 0 8 8 2 Wrexham 3 1 2 0 3 5 2 West Bromw-ch 3 1 2 0 2 7 2 Stourbridge 3 0 2 1 10 13 1 Stoke 1 0 1 0 2 4 0 Walsall 3 0 3 < 0 S 8 0 Darlaston 2 0 2 0 0 S 0 Played on Septeraber I$. Wolverhampton 2: Walsall 1. Brierley Hill 2; west Bromwich 0. WiUenhal, 5, Stourbridge 3. Shrewsbury 4: Worces'r Wrexham 0; Birmingham 3. C9ventry 4; gt<>e 2. OSWESTRY & DISTRICT LEAGUE P. W. L. D. F. A. Pts Whittington .3 2 0 1 14 6 6 St. :M.artiD.$ 3 3 0 0 10 3 a Chirk 2 2 0 8 6 2 4 Porthywaen 1 1 Q 0 9 0 2 Guild 2 1 1 0 5 1 2 Eilesmert- l 1 0 0 3 1 2 1 1 0 0 1 0 2 Comrades 3 0 1 2 4 9 2 Treflach .2 0 0 2 7 7 2 Gobowen 3 1 2 0 S 6 1 West Felton 2 0 1 1) 14 1 Weston R.hyc. 2 0 2 2 1 a 0 Pant 3 0 3 0 3 11 d Oriftias 1 0 1 a 0 9 It Saturday's Results, Gobowen 1; Ohirk 3. Porthywaen 9; Cr if tins 0. Wfrittingtcn 5, Pant 8. St. Martins 7; Oswestry Comrades Reserve & BUOSMare i; Weston Rhyn 1.