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The 1949-50 season has proved to be a most successful one for both School XI's, the first eleven having lost only three matches early in the season. Our thanks are due to Dorothy Smith, Margaret Cooke and the other girls who have made the lunches, and also to the groundsman, Mr. Lloyd.
1ST XI CRITICISMS
Goalkeeper: D. HASLAM.
Haslam has been one of this season's most reliable players, his anticipation and positioning in goal being especially good. His catching is of the highest order, but his kicking needs improving. He should curb his tendency to treat apparently easy shots too lightly.
Right Back: G. HOWARTH.
In his first year in school football, Howarth has proved to be a very steady defender, his tackling being the hardest on the field. He kicks well and always marks his opponent closely.
Left Back: R. E. HODSON.
An intelligent and speedy full-back who covers up well, and when beaten, is quick to recover. His kicking sometimes lacks direction.
Right Half: E. JOHNSON.
A good strong constructive half-back, equally efficient in attack and defence. He uses his head well, tackles hard and distributes the ball effectively to his forwards.
Centre Half: B. A. FINLAY.
Captain of the Ist XI, he has proved himself to be the backbone of the team. An efficient stopper who has been a headache for many a good centre-forward; he uses his head well, and is able to turn defence into attack. Somewhat inclined to over dribble.
Left Half: G. S. HARRISON.
Whilst being a strong attacking half-back, Harrison is inclined to leave his opponent unmarked. His ball control is good, and his dribbling neat, but he is too fond of holding on to the ball, often leaving his forwards " high and dry."
Outside Right: A. HALLIWELL.
Halliwell is this season's top goal scorer, but though always on the spot when goals are scored, he is sometimes missing on the wing, and he should not be too eager to run into the centre. If he could learn to hold the ball longer, and come back for the ball when the defence is being pressed, his play would be greatly improved.
Inside Right: D. J. YATES.
Yates is a live wire in the forwards, and has been a keen and hard worker all season. Though not often amongst the goal scorers, Yates has paved the way for many of his team's goals.
Centre Forward: K. HALLIWELL.
Halliwell has combined well in the forwards, especially with his wing men, and has been the fast unselfish centre that the forward line needs.
Inside Left: J. AINSWORTH.
Believes in using his brain to save his feet, but is sometimes inclined to over do it. His anticipation of the play is very good, and he uses the ball to good effect. His passing and heading are amongst the best in the team, and he is often the engineer of his team's goals.
Outside Left: J. GREEN.
Is a very fast winger who, once having received the ball, is very seldom dispossessed, but he has been handicapped, as has the other wing man, by having the ball passed to him, instead of in front of him. Green's runs up the left wing have been a characteristic feature of the team's play, and if he could improve his shooting powers, he would reap a larger number of goals than hitherto.
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