THE SOCCER SEASON.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 90, 18 April 1927, Page 10

THE SOCCER SEASON.

AUCKLAND'S BRIOHT OUTLOOK EIGHT SENIOR GRADE TEAMS. OXEHUXGA AND NAVY COME UP. Season 1927, so far as the Soccer code is concerned, will open under the most propitious circumstances. There has been an unprecedented impetus especially in the school and lower grades, and the augmentation of 22 teams from the Catholic School Sports' Association, in addition to the raising of the senior grade to eight teams, gives the game at both ends of the ladder a decided lift along. There lies been, this season, an unusual amount of intriguing manoeuvre on the part of club officials to obscure their doings in the matter of team building, which may be nn indication of the k<-ciiius~ creeping int<> tho panic and tlir competition for players of known ability. To obtain information at all reliable, requires tlie application of endless and judicious poulticing, and it looks as though the only way to arrive at a reliable estimate of the relative strength of the senior teams is to adopt the Asqnithian mot.to of "Wait and see." Amongst the most enterprising clubs so far as practices are concerned has been Thistle. It is many weeks now since the Scots had their first muster of players in public and one of the results was no doubt the performance of the team last week . ajrainst Ponsonliy on Victoria Park. The team is very much the same as last season's combination. On paper the side ought in l>e about the best in the competition, hut then the paper form in Soccer is just as reliable as anywhere else. It must be admitted, however, that the team which was fielded last Saturday gave a very impressive display, though the opposition was not as strong as will be met in the course of the season. It was a great relief to the Thistle followers, and no doubt to the officials as well, to see the übiquitous Hislop-Kay combine oneo more in the black and white, thereby setting at rest the, many rumours of the pair going elsewhere this season. Zuille. a new g'vilkecper with a big reputation, was tried out but some were not impressed with hi< showing. It is, of course, hardly the thing to sum up a player on such brief acquaintance, but while Zuille appears to be quite cafe for long, raking shots, the close-in, low-down stuff appears to try him. The defence of Tlii-llc will he, practically the same as last season. Ferguson and Reid will be the hacks, and Dick*oii and Christie will be in the middle line, with probably a newcomer. Carter, with a home reputation, on the right. The forwards will have n certain amount of new blood infused. Cum ruing, another new arrival. is well favoured, and Stewart, a lad who last season w,as with Chelsea, and previously gained rep. honours in Timaru. may be seen in the centre. The left wing i« as you were, and is likely 10 be- a force in the game. But this i"= not relating all the players the Thistle have at their cominaml. It \va* stated by an official that the dub is embarrassed with the material at its command, which can be taken 10 mean that the Scots are very optimistic of a successful season.

Just what will happen in regard to Xorih Shore ;tnd Baxter is in ihe lap of tlie gods at the The allair is unfortunate. Nobody wants to see the stalwart half-back on the line, and fewer still want to have any friction over his service.*. It is to be hoped that the Shore will discover some youngster in their own fold who offers sufficient promise to i>e encouraged. It apjrears to be pretty certain that Lipscombe will be between the for Shore this season again, anil that Poter (Jcrranl will be one of the backs. The half-line is another problem, and Dan .Tones seems to be about the only old face that one can look for-.vard with certainty to seeing in the Dovonport senior ranks. The forwards will not be known definitely for a day or two. and whether Palmer will again l>o to the fore is doubtful, though •John Wonlley. .lay and Bradshaw are available Shore may spring surprises, but appearances are that they will l>e. an average team minus the services of Ccs. Dacre.

Champions , Strength. Tramways will have one outstanding nbscntw. namely Joo Kissoek. The defence of the frrcen and black, however, J will show probably only one difference! from the champion team of last year. | This will lie Jnrk Tinkler in ihc centrehalf po*ition. The forwards will be much the same as last season, though Dudds, it is stated, I will not be in the Same. It is a decided loss to the c<>de that an artist "f the calibre of the unassuming insideri;:ht i« to be seen n« more on the arena, and just what Tramways will do to fill the pap remains to be seen. Spencer will be in position with the exci-reen" Davis on his left and Lewi* "" ,I,e extreme. For the other positions there N much rivalry and speculation though uiq.en.lin? pi act ices will no doul t dear the way. Tramway* should be a ham nut to crack this season. Liltle has been heard or seen of Xortlicnte or I'onsonbv. Both teams are like'v to have a sprinkling of young Wood with old familiar players helping things alon~ • Onchunpa. like the Navy, have -iven' i little indication of their prnwes« I- i« makinir history for the Mamikau tenm to tackle senior prade. but from what known of the keenness and enthusiasm ••' the club in the past there is little doult but that the babies of the prade will ;riv i

a pood account of themselves ' promj. nent official assured the writer that the club would not encroach on the players of any other club, and the assuraDoe Vie given that the club had material enough to introduce into tht game to field a team capable of holding its own and a little more with city seniors. The Soccer pnb« lie is looking forward with pleasant anticipation to see the new entrants first. Consistent rumour couples the names of the Knott brothers and Britain with Onehunga. It is to be regretted that statement! have appeared in public regarding the standard of the Navy team before ..he side has formally made its debut. It is not a fair proposition to condemn a side before it has been tried, and the wribe who takes unto himself the role of prophet is not always discreet. It may be all very well to say the Navy is not up to senior standard, but nobody yet can tell what the standard of play in Auckland will be this season. So that Navy may yet live to disprove what has been predicted of them. A member of the Management Committee on Tuesday night said that he had seen the Navy at practice several time*, anc his opinion is emphatically different to wliat lias appeared in public print so far. Time alone will tell.

Goalkeepers Galore. Last season an Auckland and New Zealand goalkeeper was unable to find a place in any senior team in Auckland, and there is a probability that this -eason may see a repetition of that eventuality. There has been much t&Ut of Lucas of late, but so far a> can be ascertained there is much doubt as to whether he will be given a game by any of the senior teams. Shore are stated {o be sticking to Lipscombe. Thistle are -aid to have pinned their faith to Zuillc. Ponsonhy have .Tack: Tramways, Batty: and Northcoto, Lyons, while it is staled that Onehunga has the choice of Craxton or McFea. who has the reputation of being a sensational keeper. So what re to happen to the young custodian who last season carried Auckland through to victory on more than one notable occasion? Fancy Lucas on the bank or in junior football' Y.M.C.A. are intendin? to relv on Paton. and there is tin other club that Lucas could play for. Hβ i< fond of the game, however, and is not likely to let anything stand in his way. He has a reputation of being a keen sport, and there is always the fact that the sole selector can draw from whatever grade tie pleases for his rep. team. The senior grade this season ie ft difficult proposition to estimate. On* has little or no data on which to base a reliable opinion, but should there bt a lean season, it will be all for the good of the code, for in the interim youngsters will have been brought up, anl that is bound to have a beneficiel effect in the long run.