R. Morrison plays for Southland in first soccer game of 1956......
R. Morrison
Soccer in Invercargill in 1956 saw the Southland team play against The Rest. The two teams played different types of football with the latter, playing neat constructive football and The Rest played a better attacking game, taking more chances.
The final score of 2-1 to The Rest, was a fair indication of the game.
P. Scott and E. Sinclair were in good form for The Rest and were well supported in attack by Edgley and Schins, and probably more dominant than their opposites, Ottley and Malcolm.
Both teams were strong on defence. Morrison and Kellick (Southland) were both sound and received good back up from their goalie, Jasperes.
D. McMurdon played a good defensive game for The Rest.
There was one of the largest crowds seen in a long time and they were not disappointed with the way the two teams played.
Eltringham opened the scoring for The Rest, when he went for the net but was stopped by goalie, Cooper, but Eltheringham got his foot to the ball again and drove the ball hard into the net.
Soon after half time Sinclair for The Rest drove a long rangy kick, which caught Cooper out of position, and scored.
The Rest kept up the pressure and at 2-0 were playing confident football.
With ten minutes to go, Southland started attacking hard which paid dividends when Nickerken gave away a corner.
McMurdo's corner kick was well placed and Davison had no chance to stop it.