ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 131, 7 June 1897, Page 3

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

Rovers v. Nokth Shore (ab North Shore). —The former wero defoabod after a good contest) by four goals to two. WillinmNon, for Rovers, Btartod the ball rolling and play for some tima was oxcibing, the etlorts of both forward teams being neutralised by good defence on the part of the backs. Short and Hodge«, however, after a good passing run compelled Shore to concede a corner, from which a neat goal whs landed by Short. Play again centred until Burgess and Williams broke bhrougU thoir opponents, and the latter fcorod first blood for the local team. Headed by Williamson, Rovers soon transferred play within the Shore's 25, bub good play by Cave and Campbell gave J. Burgeon possession of the ball, and aftor a line run ho Hcored No. 2 with a ahob tho i.'O(slkooper had no chanco againab. The whistle «oon after sounded half-time, Shore being two goals, Kovein one. In tho second npell North Shore goon had Rovers on the defensive, coruor after corner being given againsb the latter. By Rome good passing Buddie waa enabled to Hcoro tho third goal for Shore and Burgesa added a fourth by a lucky »hob. Rovers torwardn now begau to make things merry, Hodges and Maddex eapocially boing prominent, and for a time North Shore's citadel waa in danger, bub by kicking too hard Williamson spoilt n quod chanco of ccoring. Koverei were driven back bo their goal, but by good kicking by Kallender und Hussell bhey got pojgeHhion, and alter a line run Short buab Roberta by n nplomliti «hot. Nu iurther score wa» mude, the game resulting as above ftiitod. North Uumkk 11. v. Gkammak School.— The latter woro acloatod by four goalo to one, their opponents' weight, proving too much for the echool team. North Shore mo now loading for tho junior cuumpion*hip. IJ.sited v. GttAKTON. —A very fair numbor of SiioctatOirt usccmbied at tho Domain on Saturduy to wilntd-i thia mutch, which resulted in a win for United by three goals to nil aftor a very clo-oiy contested game. Shortly after tho kick oil Ric-o ecored by a good nhob aftor a combined forward rush. This waa the only score in the first; Bpell, although the garho was very fane. Both goal koupoM had thoir hands full. In the second spoil, tho Gnifton forwards under Auatin Smith pressed tho Uni ed goal very often, but the deknico ot Hondoruon and Manail proved too strong. Speight ecored the second goal after a good dribble, aud immediately after W. Heather put in a short, which proved too much for Tottnan (forward). The whistle sounded soon after, and the gnmo resulted as mentioned above, For tho winners Hendorson, Bellamy, Kico, aud tho Hoathera were the pick, while Grigg, Smith, and McDougal played woll tur Grafton.

United 11. v. Grafton ll.—This game resulted in a win for forafton by 4 goals to nil, aftor a good game.

The opening matches of the public echools eventuated on the Metropolitan ground last Saturday. Arrangements were made for one hundred players, but the advent of some three hundred taxed the resources of the Committee to their utmost. The referees had little trouble, as ib was very noticeable how well the boys knew the rules. The most interesting of the games was Beresford School v. Epsom. A gentleman present kindly rofereed for Mr Lang, and gavo great satisfaction. The latter school woro well prepared to meet the last year's champions. Aa this was the last game of fche day it was keenly watched to tho finish, and after a well contested match a draw was the result.