ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 152, 29 June 1926, Page 14

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

THISTLE FOR CHATHAM FINAL

SHORE SURPRISED BY NORTHCOTE,

ENGLISH F.A. TROPHY FIASCO.

Thistle have reached the final of the local eliminating competition for the Chatham Cup, but if they expect to go much further greatly improved forward play will be required. For the two o-oals they scored against V.M.C.A. on Saturday they threw away at least four of the simplest chances any footballer could wish for. V.M.C.A. were defeated because they ran up against a mosteffective defence, and because their front line, man for man, was too closely watched. Thistle gave a more finished display than their opponents did. There was more purpose in their methods, a more obvious objective in each move than was apparent in the play of Y.M., but it was the execution that was most frequently astray. On the day's play defence triumphed over attack, but had Thistle's front line possessed a forceful centre the score would most certainly have been different. Christie (B), who played in the pivotal position, is not a centre, and does not profess to be. He is a centre-half; consequently it is no surprise that he should not "set the heather on fire" as the king-pin of the attack. Several times on Saturday he had the goal at his mercy, but preferred to pass the ball away instead of directing his shot for goal. His feeding of the wings was really overdone.

FORWARDS UNIMPRESSIVE. Thistle forwards as a line, in fact, were not at all impressive. Christie (A), alongside Ahem, experienced one of those days of his when he did not seem to enter into the spirit of the game with that wholeheartedness that gets things done. Ahem, on the other hand, when he did get a chance, made headway fast, and his crosses and centres some of the most dangerous influences Y.M. defence had to contend with. Hislop, at inside left, was up to his usual form, and he did a tremendous amount of "foraging" for the ball, besides assisting materially in defence when required. Kay has reached that stage of notoriety or fame when he enters the field week after week to meet a carefully pre-arranged plan of oppositon. He seldom now has a yard of ground to turn in, and Thistle have erred in that they have not so far attempted to decoy the forces opposed to Kay, in order to counteract the plans laid against their left-winger. Repeatedly, on Saturday they kept directing, the play to their left wing when it ought to have been obvious to them that such a move was expected and prepared for. Then, too, Ahem early demonstrated his form, and he ought to have been the principal avenue of attack, instead of being called upon only incidentally. In the rear division.some almost classic football was seen. It is many seasons, if ever, since such a masterly exposition of back play has been seen in Auckland as that given by Reid. Thistle's right back. He was repeatedly cheered for his superb judgment and , superior ■ ,Re seemed to be more of a mind-reader than a footbaUer, and it was astonishing the number of occasions on which he walked away from a'noppoent instead of dashing in to tackle) only to place himself where the ball seemed to be destined to go, and then clear with a clean, hefty punt. His exhibition was the outstand-' ing feature of the match. Moon, his partner, fluked many of his kicks, and has several elements about his play certainly not characteristic of a full-back. His timing was faulty, and he too often used the instep of the foot, which is more the play of a half or inside forward than a back. Nevertheless, Moon gains a deal of respect for the amount of honest hard work he puts in.

When it was announced that Chesney would be replaced by yet another "dark horse" in Thistle's goal, some wag wondered if another immigrant ship had arrived! However, Woodhall, who deputised for Chesney, has played for Thistle seconds this season for several Saturdays, and comes with a big reputation. Chesney was unable, owing to a chill, to play. His deputy has figured, it is stated, in goal for Bristol City and Aberdare in his time. He did not get a great deal to do on Saturday.

Apart from the outstanding back play by Reid. Thistle's half-back line was th' c foundation of the side.. There could be no disputing the fact that Martindale. Tinkler and Dickson were too good for V.M.'s front-rankers. Tinkler played a great game. .He was alongside Humphreys, it seemed, every time the latter got the ball, yet 'tween times the Thistle centre-half seemed to be in every otherpart of the field. He was deadly in his tackling, while his placing was" always very well directed. Martindale sustained his consistent form, and Dickson's display on the whole would be hard to improve upon. The understanding between the Thistle players, which had its root in the middle line, was what took most of the sting out of Humphreys and his men. •< "

Y.M.'S DETERMINATION. Y.M. were quite obviously m public favour, or their supporters were the more lusty-lunged. Xo doubt what made them so is their whole-hearted method of play and the determination whjch._they throw into their game There-is not another side in Auckland tuat plays the up-hill game V.M does In considering the team that did duty on Saturday individually, Paton must: be first complimented on his display as substitute for Lucas, who was rested by V.M in view of Auckland's pending rep TZ \ a in course which - must coirunend itselt to the sporting instincts of Soccemtes. Few teams to-day are prepared to sacrifice their chances in a cud game in order to help restore the prestige of the Association they belong to. Y.M. deserve every credit for their action. *"*" In front of P at on there was not a weakling. Gebbie and Otter are a pair of lusty defenders with more than willingness to commend them. Both were safe and sound in their play on Saturday. The half-backs, too, broke up tne attacks of Thistle with refreshing vigour. But there, as a rule, they stopped and this was where Thistle's play showed a superiority. Whereas the Y.M. player seemed to consider his task completed when he robbed an opponent of a ball and sent it upfield

■SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSMMWpwMaM Thistle's men went further—they dribbled to draw their opponents, if necessary, before placing the sphere to the best of advantage. It was seldom, if ever, that a Y.M. player took time to make a survey of the situation before . pelting the ball upfield. And this difference means much to the play of a team. Lewis was equal to Kay, and Dick was always in the thick of things, and Thompson kept to his position, but combination was missing. The forwards were progressive and fast. They swung the ball about freely, and usually with direction, but met a defence that understood each others play, had method in their game and were giving nothing away. There was not a failure amongst Clanachan, Booth, Humphreys, Milne and Mellor—all played hard and well, but met their masters. Y.M., like Thistle, erred in tactics. It was quite apparent, halfway through the first spell, that Humphreys could make nothing of Tinkler, and Y.M.'s. attack should have been deflected, much more than it was, to the wings. The attack continued on the orthodox plan of down the centre more than down the wings, and the thoroughfare down the centre was placarded: "No passage this way."

The game was fought out in a commendably sporting spirit and provided the spectators with a satisfactory afternoon of thrills and excitement.

SHORE'S COLLAPSE. The absence of Corbett, Baxter, and Palmer from Shores side hardly afforded sufficient explanation for the three goal lead, which Northcote put on in the opening spell of the competition game at Devonport on Saturday. The i winners cannot be denied credit for /iheir go-ahead methods. Xo doubt the i Shore's side was disorganised, Smith Haycock, Mowatt and Hipk'ms being ■more or less strangers to the play of the others,, but the steady improvement of Northcote was maintained by the forwards on Saturday as well as the defence, the latter having been responsible to a greater degree of late for the team's successes. Shore suffered further through an accident to Heyes, who was forced to exchange places with Bradshaw, but improved in the second spell, their position at the finish being due to two brilliant solo efforts by Dacre. Northcote gave an evenly-balanced display. Lyon, Hibbert. and Sheldon made a formidable defence to penetrate. Lithgow was again outstanding at the centre half, though Woodall and McGarry were also staunch defenders. In the forwards Hall, at centre, kept his flanks liberally supplied with the bail. There was no imore enterprising or aggressive player than Bell, who, by sheer determination and thrust, registered two of the goals in the first spell. Bell is one of the most active players in senior football. His energy is marvellous and how he lasts in view of the physical demands he makes on himself, is astounding. Burford had several clever runs. Tremarn lent him loyal support, while Entwhistle, in the first half hour was prominent.

. Shore's regular- players were their best servants on Saturday. Lipscombe had little chance with the shots that beat him. Gerrard was the better of the backs, and Jones had a gruellingafternoon's work. II<? was the backlion e of the ; defence, and also took a leading part in attack. Dacre was best of the forwards. Woolley also was prominent*but the. line, was upset - rearrangement necessitated by lieges. injury.

. Northcote ? s. win will give, them great ••< heart for the semi-finaj tie of the . Chatham' Cup when they will again meet Shore. The game is sure to be, a dour' struggle, for Northcote's. defence is reputed for its determination and resourcefulness.

PONSONBY PARALYSED. The experience of Ponsonby against Tramways on Victoria Park on Saturday was a bitter one, made the more unpleasant by the number of accidents which befell their players. The senior team •this year has fallen on evil days.. It is difficult to comprehend the reasoning behind some of the movements of their players this season. At any rate they could be doing with wingers like. Ahem and Mellor, who played once or tw/ice with them at the outset of the season. Even Williams would now be an asset, and Wilson, the ha if back, formerly of Hellaby's. would now be useful. With Kane "absent, AY. Knott,' off injured, Innes, also hors de combat, for a time on Saturday, and one or two players thrown in to fill vacancies, victory could hardly be looked for against Tramways. The game was not characterised by high class football, and Tramways won rather comfortably by 3 clear goals.

SATURDAY'S REP. HATCH Between them the Wellington F.A. and the New Zealand Council appear to have come very near to upsetting the new •English F.A. trophy competition before it had started. While the oouneil, as is so often their wont, have left the finalising of the arrangements till half-past the eleventh hour, the W.F.A. seem to have been endeavouring in a quiet way to get a few pounds extra out of the use of the Basin Reserve. Fortunately better counsels prevailed in the end, and while further negotiations are pending, what is most important is that the match is to be played, and the competition commenced with the representative match on Saturday. There is a good deal of ground for stating that the generous view of the deadlock taken by Auckland ' has had a good deal to do with the amicable settlement that has so far been arrived at, and it is hoped that the conciliatory spirit shown by the A.F.A. will he maintained at the conference to he held on Friday. Meantime attention is rivptfed on the big match on Saturday. There seems little doubt that it will bring together two of the best trained ami possibly talented elevens that have as yet met in representative Soccer in New ZealandOn paper the teams are very evenly matched, and a great game is assured. The local side will take the lipid with the fullest confidence, and supporters of the code in Auckland are very hopeful of victory.