ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 79, 5 April 1926, Page 10

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

RIVAL V.M.C.A. MATCH. AUCKLAND V. WELLINGTON

The appearance of the champion c!ub team of New Zealand in Auckland on Saturday drew :i large attendance to Victoria Park. Wellington V.M.C.A., who defeated Ponsonby last season in the semifinal of the Chatham Cup. and went on to win the premiership, sent up a holiday eleven to oppose Auckland V.M.C.A.. anil the result was an interesting encounter. The teams lined up thus: —

Wellington (colours) : Ewlns. Pound Wilson, Rubbing, I , rice Miller, Thompson. Worth. Orr, Eton. Star):.

Auckland (blue) :—l'aton. Gobble. Otter. Clahachnn. Dick. Milne. McMeekin, MacLure. Humphries. Kemp, Booth Keferee: Mr. H. KiddolK Wellington kicked off facing a dazzling sun. The opening was sensational. Following a lively raid by Wellington. Auckland made ground oil the left ami :i corner resulted McMeekin placed the kick beautifully, and Humphries opened the scoring with a pretty header. Auckland 1 Wellington 0.

The following exchanges were mostly in favour of Auckland, who outplayed their opponents at every turn. A smart piece of combined play by the home forwards saw a nicely-timed pass from the risrht lobbed into centre. Humphries was again handy, and gavp Ewing no cheaee to save. Auckland 2, Wellington 0.

Only twice did the visitors look like scoring, though these' were efforts from lons range. Eton bud a good try. which went high, and in a tric-e Humphries at the other Pad had again broken through. Ho trapped nicely and headed past Pound to again took possession, but he kicked too far ahead and Ewing saved smartly. There was no holding the home forwards, McMeekin had a very clever run on the right and centred beautifully. Humphries was again in position and headed a lovely goal past Ewing. Auckland '■' Wellington i>. Towards the interval the visitors brightened up somewhat iv their outfield play, but were never like scoring. The teams changed over with the score:

Auckland P, Wellington 0 The second session opened quietly. Auckland pressed for some time, the forwards swinging the ball fnun wing to wing. Booth got possession, and with a long range, dropping shot beat Kwlng all the way. Auckland 4. Wellington (I.

Tlili was followed in about five minutes by a pretty run by Kemp and Booth. Beating Robblns and Pound on the run, Bnoth swung the ball to centre where Humphries oncp more got his head to the leather and put the home side live ahead. Then Clanaclian inaugurated a clover movement, which was carried along by .McMeekin and .MacLure. The outside right sent over a fast ground drive, which Booth rattled into the net making the scjre, Auckland 0, Wellington 0

Midway through this spell. Hie visitors registered their first success. Eton, who was putting in a deal of running, got through on his own and gave Paton no chance. The home fide was not yet done with. MeMeekin and MeLure once more got .away. The larter beat Miller and Wilson, and McMeekin showed fine understanding by going inside. His partner centred and McMeekin sent

the seventh bnli past Ewing with a swift drive. Some rather uninteresting play followed, till Auckland again got going. Humphries gave Milne a chance, which he accepted and a one-sided game ended. Auckland Y.M. S Wellington V.M 1