ASSOCIATION.

Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 216, 11 September 1911, Page 8

ASSOCIATION.

CUP FINAL. WON BY PONSONBY. AUCKLAND RESERVES BEAT NEW PLYMOUTH CLUB. The Association matches at Eden Park attracted an attendance of about 1500 people on Saturday afternoon. The main interest ccntr d in the play-off for the cup fin i! between Ponsonby and Everton. A clog.i and inforesting game, though devoid of good play, resulted in a win for Ponsonby by one goal to nil. The match between the Anckland reserves and the New Plymouth Club was lame on the whole. The result was a win for Auckland by a -bare majority. Following are details of the play:— The New Plymouth Club team fried conclusions with the chosen of Auckland outside the Ponsonby and Ever km teams, -which fought, out the cup final. New Plymouth pressed from the start, and two brilliant shots by the outside-left (McQnllliam) were well saved by Auckland's goalkeeper (tlowie). After desultory play, Auckland carried the 'ball down field, and the cen-tre-forward (Davis) had a shot, and the ball struck t.he post. From the kick-out, New Plymouth took the ball right down field, and made a brilliant kick, but Howie was equal te the occasion, and cleared. Auckland retaliated, but New Plymouth relieved, and took a hand in attack. Smart dribbling by Davis was stopped by Bullock near the goal. After even play, Davis headed Into the goal, but the shot was rather high, and the ball went over the bar. In the open Auckland were having the best of It, and Wallace made a good, though Ineffective shot at goal. At halftime there was no score. _, ~ On resumption of play. New Plymouth attacked, hut did not get within striking distance, in-and-out play ensued. A corner to Taranaki did not fructuate, and Auckland cleared. Play was tame and rugged. McQuilllain had a shot, which was luckily stopped by the goalkeeper. New Plymouth's forwards were attacking in earnest, and took the L Hie coal, but the shot went -wide. From (lie kick-out, Auckland pressed, and several shots went wide. A respite, and McQui - llan, made an unsuccessful shot at goal. Auckland, attacking very hard, took play to half-way, where Davis got the ball to toe, went'right through the backs., and scored a brilliant goal. Auckland -' * Xew Plymouth " Taranaki now made a very determined attack on Auckland's goal, and kept the hacks very busy for five minutes. McOuilliani made an unsuccessful shot, and in the net. was disabled, retiring temporarily with a weakened knee. From the kick-off, Auckland were penalised. A shot by Smart went perilously close to Auckland's gor.l. 'Hie visitors kept up the pressure, and kept Auckland on [lie defensive, but the play was of very poor order. The game ended Auckland * New Plymouth 0 Mr. French was referee.

PONSONBY V. EVERTON. PONSONBY 1, EVERTON 0. There was a large crowd of spectators, land Everton had a fairly strong wind In their favour. This aided them a great deal during the first half. For a time play was fairly even, and both teams appeared to be on their best iiieftio. Everton proved themselves smart with their head work nt the outset, whilst, combining well, they were not long before they were pressing in their opponents' .territory, l'onsonby's reply was not too .hopeful at first, but after warming into their work they put up a good Arc, though at times this was spoiled by -wild kicking. Evem; n found quite a number of excellent -opportunities, but they were spoiled through, feeble work at the critical juncture. Toward the end at the flrst half d'onsoirby showed considerably improved form, and, tbouith they were often pinned to their own territory, they broke to Brerton's quartern frequently. Here again Inefficient shooting cost them a good deal; indeed two splendid openings were lost through this, though a lot of credit was due to Bvcrton'n goril (WJinloy), 'Tv.ho ivox playing a sound nnfi conrfvrtent game. A run on the pnrt of the Ponsonby forwards placed their opponents for a time in an awkward -position, and -when a free was given Just in front of their goal a score seemed almost Inevitable. The position was saved cTcditnblv, however, though Everton had a narrow share. Ponsonby continued to press for some time, and were within shooting distance on several occasions, .though the situation was always relieved by Whalev and Robinson. Half time found the latter o-. the offensive, but their attempts to get into (lie net were erratic, and no score resulted. Half time: Ponsonby nil, Everton nil. Everton opened tho second portion of the game in quite a refreshing manner, Immediately obtaining possession, and bea.t the Ponsonby half. A concerted rush smartened by some clever head work very nearly gave them a goal, the ball golnj; trp to the goalkeeper pretty swiftly. The position saved for the time, Ponsonby made a forcible rush, and, working up field In « business like manner, they were socm in a fair position to score. After a short spell of play round about the goal, a free in Potisonby's favour was given. Unfortunately for the latter the kick went dreadfully wide of the net. and a golden opportunity was lost. Shortly afterwards a regrettable incident marred the game, and prevented play for going on for some five -minutes. The referee (Mr Glasson) pulled up Bentley (P-onson'by), and alleged that he had used bad language towards him. The player protested, s and there was quite an excitable discussion. The referee resolutely refused -to allow Bentley to go on playing, and he -left, the field. On the resumption of play Ponsonby pressed, and Webster, running smartly up. centred beautifully from a difficult -position, but there was no one in position to take advantage of the shot. Whaley very cleverly saved on several occasions during tills stage of the game, though at last he was beaten. Webirter again centred neatly, and Marshall scooped the leather into the net in excellent style without, giving the goalkeeper a ghost of a chance:

Ponson-by 1 Everton 0 Considerable jubilation was shown by Ponsomby supporters, and excitement now begnm to run high. Everton made a desperate effort .to break' away, anil eventually succeeded in doing so. Once in possession of their opponents territory thi?y commenced ft vigorous onslaught upon the goal, and but for the cleverness of Old nail an equalising score would have resulted. Later an Ritchie relieved a dangerous situation by neatly sending to touch when Brertorn had matters all their own way. Tonsonby, mainly through the efforts of Marshall, once more pjort on the offensive, and a centre from Webster was very nearly put through the net. For ,the remainder of the game Ponsonby easily held their opponents In check, though Everton made some plucky attempts to retrieve their position. Final: Ponsomby • * Everton*...... " SIX A-SIDE TESTS. The six-a-slde contests In the junior division were played on Saturday. In the fourth grade the North Shore team proved 'triumphant, and won 'their final contest by three goals to nil. The scorers were G. A. Stewart and Parker (2). In the fifth division Shore were again on top, heating Mo aat 'Eden to the final toy 5 goals ito nil.