ASSOCIATION GAME.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 145, 21 June 1926, Page 12

ASSOCIATION GAME.

TRAMWAYS' NARROW ESCAPE. NORTHCOTE DEFEAT THISTLE. PONSONBY DRAW WITH Y.M. '" In the senior competition of the A.F.A. there were very evenly contested games on Saturday. The meeting of Tramways and North Shore on Blandford Park was characterised by very bad underfoot conditions, but close and even play. Shore led all the way till the last two minutes. when Tramways managed to druw level. There were many missed chances due to the slippery footing. Northcote created a sensation by repeating their first-round defeat of Thistle on the North Shore by the odd goal in three. On the Domain. Ponsonby levelled up a two-goal half-time deficit and divided points with V.M.C.A.

i TRAMS' FIRST DRAW. i : North Shore were aggiessive from the start, aud Battys euui'ge ran several narrow escapes. He.vis might to have I scored from close range, luu uesitated und i lost, and Baxter tried ;i long drive, which 'narrowly missed Tramways were slow !to settle and only sound defensive play ] liy Kissot.'ii savea I'raaiways. The nrst ' .«i-rious I'luy by tile greou anil blacK 1 commenced with a smart pass by Uodds to Sim, who squared across goal. Davis K°t his boot to the ball aud drove hard for ttoal. missing narrowly. Daere started an opposition move and combined well ! with i'almer. The ball came nack to ! I'acre. who trlpd a drive. McElllgot eu- ; deavoiired to clear, but the ball nicked I olf his boot out of Batty's reach North i Shore 1. Tramways 0. Following this success Shore for a time had tbeir opponents completely outplayed. The black and yellows swung the bail about very 1 freely, while their oponents were all at sea. Baxter came into a Shore attack and I forced his way through Tramways' defence, his parting shot rebounding off Watson into mc net. Shore '1. Tramways O. The green and blacks woke up for "a I time, and Lewis nearly scored, but Train- , ways' pressure was of a very temporary I nature, and Iμ a trice Batty was saving I brilliantly under severe pressure Wun ! the aproach of half-time Tromways showed much improved enmbination. The ball I passed from man to man l>v clover judgi ment, and a forward move terminated ; with Podds shootinsr recklessly past as the whistle sounded hn If-time. I Tramways forced the pace at (he restimp- ' tion. Watson let Sim away, ami toe rigtit I sent over a lovely ceutn\ vrulcli Spencer , cleverly headed past Upscombe Nortn Shore 2. Tramways 1. The «reen and blacKs , returned to the attack and ought to Have I scored through either Spencer or Dodds, ! who preferred to dally rather than drive for goal. Play Bashed from goal to goai with speed and excitement, but the footing made bail control impossible Tramivays 1 asain failed miserably in front of goal. Me-i-nigot scut a lovely long pass out to Step. and the win? had a great solo ran. He swung the ball accurately to the centre for , bpencer to notch a great goal two minutes before the whistle sonnded time. A hard and fast game ended in a draw: •North Shore '...' ■•> Tram ways .."."./.. ■" ! — I DRAW ON DOMAIN.

Winning the toss. Ponsonby played wth the sun behind them. X.M. attacked. Booth putting in a great shot, which JacK j saved. Ponsonby conceded a corner, waicU : Kane cleared, and per medium of Innes : and Kennedy. Y.M. was forced to a corner, wbk-h was sent behind. Play was even for some time, and Ponson-by then attacked, Belsham missing narrowly Milne ana Mellor combined and Jflcfr had to j.save from Mellor. Innes nearly, scored j from pretty play witli -Kennedy,...' Booth. . ror \M. was noticeable for Seedy play ■„ but Mile shot over from his V M ;(continued to attack, combined jj&y see- ■» ing MeJlor narrowly miss. After SVicsonby had . attacked. V.Ms. for-vartlS- "rushed , through; Clanhchan putting In" a tin* ; centre which Millie rua.le no mistake with I.M. 1. J'onsoub.v o. After a further V M , attack. Ponsonby r;<>are<;. Belsham missini a good chance. Lara* saved a wonderful ■ shot brilliantly. i'oneonby put up a ; spirited attack. Innes Iwin- p.-omlncnr. ami hard rack snw ;hpin miss. Humor i again, shortly nfter. missed. :is did Knott ; his shot shaving the cross bar. Hi^tiirnin" to the attack, combination by Humphreys" "MWlor and Milne saw Milno' shoot a fi'no goal from Mellows crntrn. The play of '.Rooru ,md Clauarhan on V.M's -i"bt wine ; whs pretty to watch. Although V M und ■ two up. Ponsonhy hnd hard limlc j n not I having scored. Half.fime sounded I On resuming. Y.M. attacked. Rupsell , shooting over. I>wis was noticeable with ■ fine supporting. Prom a cross sent in by Innes. Hunter hnd hard luck in mispin* Mil.ar was hurt and -. retired. Ponsonbv : kep: attackin?. but a corner kick fnllPd to be put to advantage; Y.M. with Humj phrey« in tho van again broke away, but . .Tack saved. Ponsonby again attacked bu<- ! Kanp henderi orer. Humphreys got away j but was stopped by Kftott "when n go«i ] looked certain. Innes now went to centre forward. Hunter taking outside right i Lucas was called upon to save from Innes j and Kane, and Jack gained applausp by J brilliantly saving from Humphrey?. (Jibbl'e . and Otter were playing great defensive i football as were L." Knott; Kane and Morri- ) son for Ponsonby. Kennedy was also a ■ thorn in V.M.'s isMe. Ponsonby received a I penalty which Lucas brilliantly saved i conceding a corner, and again brilliantly I saving from the resultant kick. Innps and I Hunter broke away, the latter scoring in the corner. The game was very fast thereafter. Ponsonby attacked and' a bad mistake by Y.M. defence saw the ball roll into the net an easy goal. Ponsonby 2 V M ° I This was all the scoring, and "a hard and ■ evenly contested game resulted in a draw 1 two goals pach,.

V.M.C.A. Pon>onby

'COIE TRIUMPH.

Tn the opening stales Thistle were aggressors. They were Threatening danger when an infringement brought them a penalty kick. Christie (in«ide right) took the kick, and Lyon brought off a wonderful save. Froui this on Thistle had most of the game, and a long shot from Martindale was scored by Buchanan. Northcote then applied pressure through the right, but Reid came to the rescue. Play was in midfield for a time. But a move towards Chesney was commenced by Hall passing out to Bnrforfi. The latter executed a clever solo effort.,, in which he defeated several opponents and scored, n sneetaeiil.ir coal.-Xliistle livened up after-this. bnt. the defence of Northcote was impenetrable owing tt> tiikir packin? their goal on every oc.asion. irhe forwards lending much assistance. Play was of a eive and take natare for the rest of the spell, and the interval'found Northcote still on even terms with their opponents.

Play in the second half u-as mostly in Northcote's territory. Tbistle. kept well out of shootin; aiiVl was seldom seriously trstPd. A break nwa.v by Northrote's forwards broueht a pen.ilty apainst Moon for ban<llinz. which ShpMon toot. Chesney made a creditable but fruitless effort to set at the kirk.- and Nortbeote took the lead. After this rerprse Thistle strove desperately to wipe off their deficit, but the defence of Northcote was (riviiic nothjn? away, and withstood the shock attacks of Thistle. Many corners wrrp uot improved nrion. and the final whistle sounded witbont alteration of tie scorea, the result being Xortlicote ..... k .... 2 Thistle :....'.. 1 GAMES IN THE SOUTH, »iNAPIF.K. ■.£, '-~t '-. Kangers 4, beat WBakatu I. I SOUTH TARANAKT. Auroa 3, beat Manaia 0. WELLINGTON. Chatham err. Hospital 6. beat Wate.aiders 0: Thistle 3. beat Institute I;- *•-=.' V.M.C.A.. 7. beat Seatoum 2-. '■ " - ; Marlst 3, beat Petone 2. CHAMPIOXSHiP. ■ Diamonds 3, beat Broofayn 0. CHRISTCHCKCH. Technical 5, beat Western 2. Thistle 5, beat Villa 1. Sussyside 10, beat St. Albani 0.