SOCCER.

Auckland Star, Volume 55, Issue 94, 21 April 1924, Page 8

SOCCER.

PONSONBY DEFEAT H.B. A DOUBTFUL GOAL. XOBTHCOTE TROUNCE THISTLE. SHORE AND WATEKSIDEKS DRAW. Y.M.C.A.'S DECISIVE WIN. A complete programme of senior division matches was decided on Saturday undei-ideal conditions. A crowd estimated at 4000 attended Victoria Park to see Ponsonby score a lucky goal against Harbour Board. On the same ground Iti-rhujy's proved too good for the Tramways. ■ At the Domain Nortltcoie gained a surprising win against Thistle, while V.M.C.A. vanquished the Londoners. The ground arrangements were again inadequate, the spectators encroaching at Victoria Park, while the principal game at the Domain was held up till Mr. Marsh, the referee, marked the ground. No. i ground was without any lines, and the long grass proved a han-; dicap to the players. The Watersiders justified their inclusion to the senior division by cleverly drawing with North SJiore, alter being two goals down. PONSONBY V. HARBOUR BOARD Harbour Board won the toss and Dickson kicked on , , facing tbe nun. Meager at once took the eye with a brilliant piece of individual piny. Good combined play by the Ponsonby forwards saw .Tones make a good run. passing nicely to Sttnni, the latter passing to Xeesham. whose drive from twenty yards out was turned aside. Corbett relieved the situation, hut limes , and Ahem soon returned to the attack. , The locals were having the best of mat- , tern. Neeshaui being a tower of strength both in attack and defence. I'lay was intcrruptcd_J>v Braithwaitc and j Cox colliding, the Harbour Board centre having to retire witli a naily facial Injury. Batty was next called upon to nvc a long nliot from Ahcrn. . Play was quickly transferred to the other end. where Palmer h.id a great chance from Clarfc'e faulty clearance, but Braithwaitc luckily blocked his finishing effort. Ahcrn paused nicely to Innee. who cleverly, beat Britt.iin on the run. and centred for Hunter to shoot narrowly past. '■ The players were beginning to feel the effects of the warm weather, and Harbour Board momentarily pressed till Braithwaitp relieved. Aliern and Innes were proving a constant source of trouble to the opposing defence, but hands against Siniin brought relief. Cox signalized his reappearance by having aniilher tussle with Braithwaite, with honours even. Meager again let Simm away and the outside left sent across a perfect centre, which Ahem returned to the soul-ioonth. Siniin flnallv heading over. Jones next distinguished himself by neat placUgof hts forwards, i but ITenshaw spoiled the movement by not being in position to accept Cox's pass. Mitchell was again beaten by Siram. but Brittain blocked Alicro's shot, the reetiHant corner being well placed by Innee. A melee occurred in the goalmouth, and tbe referee awarded a goal kick. Mcsluun cleverly, beat two opponents, but Batty punted clear. Simm was carried off after colllillnis with Mitchell but soon returned Hi-nshaw had a- sparkling ran from mldI field and centred ■ nicely, placing the Ponies goal 1n • danger, but Braithwaite saved the situation. Lewis and Heoßtmw again combined well, but Pitkin cleared. A corner by 'Heatley was well placed, but a free kick for hands against an H.B. forward spoiled a likely opening. Meager, at left half, was playing ft very effective game, and: Simm was unlncky to be pulled up after be had beaten Bell, an Injury to Cox' necessitating a stoppage. A fast pace was being maintained with the Board applying. the pressure. Ahem sent weakly to Batty when a pass to *?lckson. would have been mpre" beneficial. Meager eluded two opponents. , but was fouled by Palmer, the resultant free kick being finally cent' ovrc by Innes. Ponsonby had still much the best of matters and Clark wan seldom called upon. Dickson endeavoured to break away, but wns held by Bell. Neesham's free kick, being well 'another" good run, but the ball accidentally a'late spectator standing in the field of play. Hunter received possession, and sent In a P? w e«"J shot whl'th beat Batty all the way. but the ephere rebounded from the far post into ■ 'lay The bail was cleared to mldMd. but the "referee awarded a:-goal to ?<»»<>•>>£: much to the surprise:, ot .tue players and now called with the acoree: Ponuonby 1; Harbonr Board 0. narbour Bonrd resumed and Bell was winded, but coon recovered. Innee trntbTlSS o£ matter*. A free kick against Bell looked dangerous, but. Batty a»d_ Mitch*" cleared their lines. Mitchell judiciously passed to .Ahem but hie bass was anticipated by Brlttaln, who stood on the ball, and twisted bis leg, havfng to ?etir! to the touch: line for repair*. P S past. Play down though Corbett was making valiant efforts to bold the:darting -Pony" ' forward" * foul afealnstrafltehell for puehUi£ proved abortive, and Henshaw finished wfaklv when well placed. Harbour Board were now pressing.; but the four forwards met more than their match in the strpug Ponsonbv defence.' TKe close attendance nf Buectatore oh the line'was proving a decided handicap.' Hunter had another try which was well save* by Batty. Innee next sent In a terrific shot, which was luckily blocked by a defender. Innes an! Ahem were next -prominent, but Brittain Intervened. Ponsonby maintained tho upper hand, the .Board missing the service of. Cox. In the closing minutes Clrr* saved a'charge when at full length amid noclferous appiaus*. Xo further wore resulted and the game ended In a lucky victory for Ponsonby. <. Ponsonßy ....;....... • • • 1 Harbour Board ° THISTLE' V. HORTHCOTE. . Following •• quiet- opening, Bert Tremaln •cored for Nprthcote'- Jn the first nvc minutes.. After glve<and.take play Thistle became dangerous thjojigh a good move by Williams.' who gave to Dodds, whose parting shot was a ...slinger, which, forced Onxton to concede a corner. Thistle at this stage was having niost of the game, but bad finishing never* really made them dangerous. On thi:' , other hand. Northcote had method in their movements, which made them dangerous at each bunt. This was proved when by'methodical play Knot* was given the ball'in'a good position and he made < no< mistake. Northcott -, Thistle 0. ." .-''-;.,. . Pearson then had try-which struck the post. . Perseverance.. had Its reward, for after worrying the Nortbcote. defence, Dodds scored a beautiful goal from quite 20 yards out. l<ortheote were, not long In adding a third,' Thistle's keeper and Ferguson muddling, a clearance. Thistle were not' to lie downed,, and were soon back at Craxtun's end, William* mlexlng an open goal by Mhootlng. .w.ildjy. .Tremain, at the other end, did;the »ame.-,a minute later. Cnixton" put a high shot over the bar in good style. Northcote were maintaining the upper hand, and'a good combined move put Knott in the position to score a fourth gn.it. Jnst on' half-time Cnistun .had to go full length tO'.Haye a hot one from On resuming. WillinniH took up centre posit lon. From a corner; Bhll diverted into the net. (Jive, and take play followed, each end being visited quickly. Cnixton next took the eye in turning n gi>od shot aside. Northcote had the Thistle defence guessing., and Knott got through' to add a sixth. Thistle then had n go and ti*o came to them In quick succession, through their inner left and Dodds. Nprtheote «. Thistle 3. Thistle now took -charge, and, but tor the brilllnnt defence must . have added another. Piny which followed, was or, a. better quality. Thistle • especially -ha.vin?; found their game. Off-stdc play stopped' Northcote's olTenslV*. Williams retired iii.luifd, but resumed; 'A• hot second half cuded with mid-fleid p)a; and the icorei;— % * r ' Northcote .'.;', ,''...' '.'A ~.' (I .Thistle ~ .......'.. S

V.M.C.A. V. LONDONERS. Kemp kicked off and Londoners attacked, but kicked behind. V.M.C.A. immediately attacked. Levy making a good run. but Hart headed behind. Resuming. Miller. Ixmdoners' goalie, made a good save. Game hovered In mid-lield until Marshall made a good run, but kicked over. Woods, at left-back for Londoners, was playing a safe game. V.M.C.A. were attacking, but hard tackling nullified their efforts. Marshall. Y.M. inside left, missed a shot by inches, and Milter, Londoners' goalie, showed good judgment In defence. Londoners attacked, Hewitt being prominent, but shot behind. Marshall, Carey and Turnbull were prominent In good work for V.M, Marshall again shooting o.or. Woods, Londoners' left-back, was good in defence. Marshall shot what appeared a good goal, but It was disallowed. A few minutes later from a tree kick.by Turnbull Marshall scored. Rawnsley saved well from a tree kick. .Sparling and Turnbull showed up for Y.M. continually. Hewitt and Wills for f-_dfHui-K showed up in combined work. Miller saved a hot shot, and immediately after another. The Londoners' forwards were combining well, 11. Miller and Birdlcy showing up 'from combined play. Marshall and Carey carried the ball l'ro.n three-quarter way, Marshall shooting a brilliant goal. A little later Hart. Y.M.s Inside left, shot another goal. Half-time came with the score, Y.M. 3, Londoners 0. The second spell found Y.M. attacking, Carey missing narrowly from a good run by Marshall, A fine dash by the Londoners' forwards saw Rawnsley mull and let in an easy goal by Birtley. Londoners came back in 'attack, "and Y.M. were hard pressed, but Turnbull cleared. Rawnsley for Y.M. made a brilliant save. V.M.C.A. attacked, and Kemp, after good play, scored. V.M.C.A. 4, Londoners 1. Day fluctuated and by combined play Y.M. carried the ball down-field. Marshall heading in his third goal. A little later Wilson for \.M. narrowly missed. , Londoners, who were playing plucklly. stuck to it, and Wills made a fine attempt which Rawnsley saved well. Y.M. attacked and Kemp again scored with a pretty shot, though the Londoners' goalie made a great effort to save. V.M.C.A. 6. Londoners 1. Time sounded shortly afterwards. No lines were marked out in this match, which made matters most awkward' for referee and linesmen. WATERSIDERS V. NORTH SHORE. Shore won the toss and showed to advantage in the early stages. However offside spoiled many likely openings. North Shore assumed the lead, Dacre converting a pass from the left wing. Woolley quickly added a second, the goalkeeper vainly appealing for offside. Half-time was called with the scores: North Shore 2, WaterS „-ter' the resumption the Watcrsiders fought hard to reduce the leeway. Ilamill passed beautifully to Feeney. who had a vice solo run down the wing and centred to Byrne, who made no mistake. Encouraged by this success, the Watersiders hemmed the Shore to their own half, but the Wharfies were not to be denied, and Feeney again sent across a perfect centre, which was converted by Martin. McKenzie, Dacre and Malone tried hard for the Shore Club, but to no avail, and a hard-fought contest ended with the scores: North Shore 2 Watcrsiders 2 PHILOMEL T. METROPOLITAN. The teams .were .— Philomel.—Tucker, Tagg, Cacroll, Smith, Young, Warwick, Spong, Miller, Heal, Bell, Snell. _ Metropolitan. —Orford, Gebbie, Yates. Davies, Bell,- Robinson, Adshead, Grime, Turley, Holmes. Although Metropolitan bad only ten men to start with, they were the first to attack, and Turley missed some fine chances through hanging ou to the ball, lv mixed play, which was not generally of a good standard, Tucker showed up by good work. Gradually Philomel assumed the upper hand, and after Bell had scored a nice gnul for Metropolitan, the sailors attacked vigorously, Holmes scoring a goal, which was followed very shortly by goals by Snell and Heal. At half-time, Philomel were two up. Although playing only ten men. Metropolitan were not outclassed, and Holmes scored again for them, but though infringing a deal in tbe matter of off side, i Philomel held their advantage, and Heal added another goal, the game cuuiug Philomel 4. Metropolitan 2. HELLABT'S V. TRAMWAYS. Duggan kicked off for Tramways, and they had the best of the Initial exchanges, till Kane relieved. A good run by Croft i was the next feature, but Tramways noon ! returned 'to the attack, and Godfrey gave his team tbe lead with a good shot from a well placed corner by Jones. The Tramways had the best of matters till the interval, when the scores read:—Tramways 1, Hellaby's 0. The second half had scarcely commenced -when IClmraer brought - -the scores level after a clever run. Whowel was prominent for Hellaby's.. They continued to have the best of matters, and though Herberts and | Simpson played well, yet their efforts were unavailing, and further goals were scored I by Knowles, Kglln-ton and ltimmer. No I further score resulted, and a hard game ended with the scores:—Hellaby's 4, Tramways 1. - i '