Gazette Cartoon - 1 March 1924 - page 12
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FOOTBALL GAZETTE SATURDAY , MARCH 854 , the fittest . To take a point from Stoke on their own ground and under the worst condi tions imaginable was a great achieve iment , and it will rank with the Shield men's best performances of the season . Accurate Tootball expected under the circumstances , and it 2oon became plainly apparent that it was going to be a question of the survival of It was heart - breaking work , but the players stuck gamely to their task in defiance of the elements , which at one time rendered it exceedingly doubtful whether it would be possible to play the Game to a finish : Conditions improved , however , before the interval , and though he ground was inches deep in mud and now , operations were continued without interruption . The spectators witnessed the unusual spectacle of groundsmen clearing away snow from the touch lines while the match was in progress . • AS " WANDERER " SEES IT . Seasiders ' Fine Achievement at Stoke . Improvement in Intermediate Line . Defenders Save the Game .. 1.92 HETHERINGTON AS LEADER . There was an interesting change in the personnel of the South Shields team for the match at Stoke . Hetherington , who had not had an outing with the Second league team since January 21st , and whose claims to recognition I have urged on more than one occasion recently , appeared in the role of centre forward , and the directors had no reason to regret their decision . While I much prefer him in one of the inside berths , he has much to commend him as a leader and he has " had considerable experience in this posi tion . Including to - day's game , Hether ington has directed the South Shields fulness to his attack in five League matches this season and if lacking some of the finer touches , he possesses most of the essential attri butes of a successful leader . He plays an unselfish game , imparts vigour and force methods and generally knows where to find the goal . Moreover , he is not afraid of work , and if the ball is not there for him he is keen enough to Rp and , get it . There are too many rentre forwards who are inclined to take all the kudos for the minimum amount of effort . Hetherington is not one of that species . " ( first appearance for the seniors on Nov. 3rd , and on that occasion his display fell far short of expectations but his brilliant exhibitions with the Reserves again brought him into the delight , and he could hardly be was called upon for service with the Second League team on New Year's day . Since then he has turned out regu larly , and he has two goals to his credit . Bolam , on the opposite wing , has been somewhat erratic and he has not yet mas tered the art of hishing , Speed is his chief asset . Brown , whose last appear ancer with the League team was against Oldham , on November 10th , was given a trial this afternoon , this being the only , change in the attack . SOUND DEFENDERS ! ان 4 Willis Walker was able to resume duty last week after having missed three games in three seasons , and it so happened that despite the formidable character of the opposition he had a comparatively easy . time . The effective defensive work of Crown and Robson , supported by the intervening efforts of the intermediate men , afforded the oustodian such excellent protection that very few really dangerous shots reached him , and on every occasion when he was seriously menaced he showed admirable judgment under the most trying circum stances . The South Shields backs reached the top of their form , and their tackling and " stopping " work on 8 treacher ground was wonderfully accurate . Chief credit for the Seasiders ' achievement must , defence successfully resisted the persistent therefore , go to the inten whose resolute pressure applied by the Stoke forwards during a critical period of the encounter . TO - DAY'S VISITORS . Prior to this afternoon , South Shields had never had the satisfaction of defeating Stoke , and only on one occasion have the Potters sucoeeded in vanquishing the Seasers , no fewer than six games having been drawn . Stoke ware promoted to the First Division at the close of the season 1921-22 , and after a brief gojourn they were relegated to the place whence they came , at the end of last session . Their last visit to Horsley ill was cn August 29th , 1921 , when the migh xe . sulted in a draw , and it was in the return engagement that the Potters registerad their only vicar , winning by the odd cod in three . On dach of the four previous occa sions . when the teams were in opposition the points were divided , and history repea . tel itsel at ' Stoke lastek . The visitors are strong candidates for promotion , having secured 38 points in 32 games , and conse aucnfly to - day's .encounter was of the utmost importefice . , The Seasiders prospects of pro motion , unfortunately , are now somewhat renigte ... " A CLEVER TRIO . Hutchinson's return to the side has already had the effect I anticipated . He has given confidence and added strength to the intermediate line , and the improve ment in the half back play at Stoke last week was one of the features of the game . The conditions were such that the powers of endurance of the players were tried to the utmost , but Hutchinson is usually to I seen at his best when the " going " is hardest , and he was a very strong factor ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS . " Net . " - I hope to have the information for in the splendid defence which the Sea " you next week . siden put up against a powerful attack . " Potter " The particulars you ask for are |
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