ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 132, 5 June 1923, Page 7

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

THE BROWN SHIELD MATCH. AUCKLAND V. SOUTH AUCKLAND. (By Telegraph.—Own Corresoonilent.) HAMILTON, Monday. With a playing ground like a quagmire opening contest of the season for the Brown Shield was fought at Sedclon Park. Hamilton, this nfternoon, between Auckland (the holders) and South Auckland (the challengers). The same was played through Intermittent showers of rain, and opened briskly for the visitors, who fought flown the Held, where they were met by the somewhat formidable backs of the home team, and the ball was pitched back auain to the half. Soon the contestants were slipping nml sliding all over the field, and play was carried on under most difficult and trying conditious. To retain upward hold "was difficult, and the game was more one of chance than an exhibition of skill, while, under favourable conditions, it would doubtless have beeu. Shooting was erratic, dribbling almost impossible, and to tackle a men meant almost inevitable disaster for both players. All the men could do was to punt and chance with a sliding foothold as to where the ball went. When an open goal occasionally appeared, a player would essay a shot, and as he drew back his right for the kick the left would go from under him. Through all these difficulties the South Auckland combination in the first half proved the stronger, and play for the most part was in the visitors" goal area. Hut about quarter-time Auckland managed to break beyond the middle, and, following a nent hit of play by th« forward line Lemming took the ball and placed a neat one into the net. There was no further scoring up to half-time. The game rudi-d in Auckland's favour by two goals to ", Lemming again scoring. Rain continued throughout the second spell.