MARIST BEAT Y.M.C.A.

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 106, 7 May 1928, Page 17

MARIST BEAT V.M.C.A.

Football of a bright order was witnessed on No. 1 ground at the Basin Reserve on Saturday, when Marist met V..M. C.A, in.the first round of the championship. The result of the game—a Avin for Marist by three goals to two—came as something of a surprise, for on form Y.M. C.A. appeared to be the better side. Territorially, neither side held a great advantage, and Marist's victory Avas due in a large measure to a dogged defence. Their Avin was all the more meritorious, for the greater part of the second spell they were Avithout the services of Burke, the left half, who retired wring-to an injury to his ankle. V.M.C.A. did not field their full strength, Frickleton being unable to play, and Ballard filled the position of right back. The teams were as folloAv:— Marist.—G. Fitzgerald; E. Fitzgerald and Rudolph; Kelly, Thomas, Burke; Barton, M'Elligott, Durning, Marchment, and Cudby. - V.M.C.A.—Lucas; M'Girr and Ballard; Pearson, Reylingy Trott; Worth, Harrap, Rigby, Lack, and Stocks. Marist were the first to get into their stride, and Ballard distinguished himself by clearing tAvice, once from a perfect centre, by Barton, Marist's right wing. Marist kept up the pressure, and from a centre by Cudby M'Elligott tried his luck Avith a shot from Avell out, the ball going over the top of the crossbar. V.M.C.A. then made better progress, and Rigby and Rcyling, the centre half, sent in shots, both of Avhich Avere turned aAvay by G. Fitzgerald, the Marist goalkeeper. Trott sent Stocks away, but the V.M.C.A. left-winger put in a- poor centre, aluywing Marist to'attack again! Cudby.put across a good centre, and Durning, the centre forward, .finding himself unable to get a shot in, back-heeled and allowed Barton to send the leather into the net, giving Lucas no chance. . Marist, 1, V.M.C.A. 0. Immediately following the kick-off Y.M. C.A. broke avvay, and Reyling, from a free kick, drove for goal. Burke endeavoured to head clear, but instead he deflected the ball into the net. Marist 1, Y.M. C.A. 1. With the scores level, play became faster. Marist instituted a strong attack, and receiving, the ball .from Burke, Barton scored Avith a. great shot almost from the side-line. Marist 2, V.M.C.A. 1. Marist kept up the pressure, and it Avas not. very long before another goal canie their way. Marchment, who was playing good football, sent in a good shot. The ball struck the.crossbar, rebounded into play, and Durning, rushing forward, added the finishing touches by heading through. Marist 3, YJ.I.C.A. 1. For the remainder o£ the spell Y,M.C.A. held the upper hand, and attack followed attack, only the solid Marist defence keeping them from scoring. . Just befpre.the half-time Whistle a good forward movftnent resulted in Harrop beating Fitzgerald with a good left-footed shot. Marist 3, V.M.C.A. 2. _ Fast play characterised the opening stages of the second spell, V.M.C.A. making strenuous efforts to even the score. The Marist defence again proved solid, despite Burkes absence, and much good work by the V.M.C.A. fonvards went for naught. Reyling sent in a brilliant shot on one occasion, but the Marist goalkeeper just managed to tip the ball over the crossbar. A little later another shot by Reyling, this time from a free kick, Avas well saved, by Fitzgerald. Play continued at a good pace right through the |P e'!> but there Avas no further scoring, and the game ended: Marist 3, V.M.C.A. 2. ' Mrs A. E. Caisley was the referee.