SOCCER REVIEW.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 96, 24 April 1928, Page 17

SOCCER REVIEW.

IMPROVED BELMONT.

TRAMWAYS-SHORE BRIGHT

DISPLAY.

UXEHI'XGA STRONG AT HOME

The second series of fixtures in the senior competition last Saturday brought to light- one or two pleasant and promising features which raise hopes of yet an interesting season. First of these wa-» the vastly improved display of newlv-elevatcd Belmont senior team, which on the Domain for a large portion of the game, held the strong-going and experienced Thistle—albeit a little weaker than is their usual—in a closely contested encounter. The meeting of Tramways and Shore on Blandford Park also demonstrated an evenness in the ability which ensures little chance ol anything in the nature of run-away victories this season and also the fact that there is much youthful promise in the Devonport side. The meeting of Y.M.C.A. and Northcote found the latter rather weakly represented. The northerners for a season or two have been lons in finding their legs, but have always battled manfully on, managing to spring a surprises or two each season, Onehuuga gave another indication of their knitting together a strong combination by defeating I'onsonbv at the harbour port.

THISTLE v. BELMONT. The game between Thistle and Belmont provided a fast and thrilling encounter. The owning minute provided a sensation, the Belmont forwards rushing the ball down the held and through the goal. From this the game went at a terrific pace. The long panning tactics of the Belmont team made the bout very fast and open and seemed to put Thistle off their game. It was wall on in the second spell before the Scots got the measure of the opposition "and j even then thev could not take any chances, Belmont nearly scoring in the last minufe of the game. With the pace and dash of youth the Belmont team promises to be a stiff proposition for any of the teams when they gain a bit more experience. Chesney in goal for Belmont was again very sound, bringing off some brilliant saves. He could not be blamed for the goals registered against him. Murphy, at right fullback, has the makings of< a flrst-class player with further experience. Ho kicks well, has plenty of pace and tackles fearlessly. A. Follas, who partnered him, is a solid type of player and was very reliable. Lithaow, at centre half, was right at the top of his form and was lirst-class in all departments, his defence being a strong feature. N. Bach, who was playing his first senior game-, was really good at left-half, keeping his position well*-.. He--should improve with experience. Hollows, right-half, was fair, but he found Kay a handful to hold. The forward line was good, bringing off some pretty passing bouts! Trewheela, on the right wing, used his pace to advantage. He is another young player who should come on in the future. H. Follas, inside-right, waa fairly good, though inclined to be slow. He could use his weight to more advantage, being of hefty build. Adams (centre) and Allen (inside-left) wen? very clever. Adams distributed the ball well. Creamer (who is a right-half) was useful on the left wing and showed that he had pace. He was inclined to centre too soon before drawing the defence, but otherwise played a = firstclass game.

Thistle were minus the services of Christie and Hi&lop. Carter took the' centre-half position, while Whitley, formerly of Shore, came into the forward line. Zuill, in goal,

was brilliant, bringing off some great saves. Reid was very sound, though inclined to misskick at times. Ferguson did not play as well as usual."being weak in defence under pressure. Carter was the basis of the Thistle combination, opening up the game and feeding the

forwards to perfection. Dickson was reliable, but like some of his colleagues, seemed to be put off his game by the long passing tactics of his opponents. Buchanan shaped well, getting in some solid work but seemed to be short of a game or two. Cutnmings and Kay were right on the top of their form and played brilliantly. Cummings' goal was a beauty, and Kay was responsible for two of the goals scored. Duhsmore ably seconded Cumniings and Kay and was unlucky in not getting a goal, some of his shots being stingers. Whitley, at centre-forward, was not a success, bein-r altogether too slow. Webb was fairly good, but did not shine. He may improve with a game or two if he cultivates an understanding with Kay. It cannot be stated that the fixture between the Y.M.C.A. and Northcote was anything in the nature of a thriller. The 'Cote had to take the field a player short, and lasted the first spell with this disadvantage. In the second spasm Tremain came along and evened matters up. Strangely enough it was then that Y.M. forged ahead. The main contributor to Northcote's downfall was want of condition. A vital mistake was made through playing a five-man defence instead of six when short-handed. It would have been much more beneficial to have played a skeleton attack and thereby saved much running about inflicted on Hibbert and Co. The forwards lacked the necessary training or inclination to double back and help their distressed club-mates when hard pressed. Lyon was almost a disapointment in goal, and was right off form. He was nervy—probably the defence had thing to with that—and his judgment was erratic; his handling? was unreliable, and he was much too fond of bouncing the ball before getting in his kick. He niust improve out of sight to be Auckland's next goalkeeper. Hibbert worked hard all the way, but appears to have quite an erroneous* idea of the off-side fMle. Hibbert's fatal mistake was that ■jc waited till the ball was kicked before ne ran up to pi arc his opponent off-side, is not where the other fellow is when get« the ball that counts—but where

he was when the ball was last played. The Northcote team were obviously strangers to each other's play and need whipping into condition.

Much had been heard of Y.M., and much was expected of them—much more in fact than was shown. That may have been the fault of the opposition, and judgment must be deferred. The best part of the team was the attack where Grant and Humphreys were outstanding. Grant, without setting the heather on lire, was quietly efficient, and made many openings, besides being always dangerous in front of goal. Humphreys had several thrilling attempts to score, but the forwards as a whole missed several scoring chances in the first spell. Further games together will no doubt go to cement the partnerships being formed, and the team has dash and vigour.

YOUTH v. EXPERIENCE. The clash between Shore and Tramways was one of those games in which there is much incident and good football. It was a battle of skill against the vim and vigour of youth. The paramount impression after witnessing the match was that the Devonport side is destined to be one of the leading combinations in Auckland. There is nothing showv from the point of view of the finer points of the game. Their method might he misunderstood, however, if described as kiek-and-rush, for there is usually something in the nature of direction and constructive planning in their passing. They certainly display little that is artistic or finished in trapping or ball control, and some of their methods of tackling are out of the ordinary. But they know the way to goal' and their go-ahead style has the unhappy knack of upsetting any fttudious planning by opposing defences. Tramways withstood the shock of their vigour on Saturday with surprising effect, and the corporation men also found time to direct their counter-attacks along well-regu-lated and combined lines.

The weakest link in Shore's team was between the posts. Smith was given a place vice Lipscombe, but the experiment was anything but successful. He gave the impression of a greyhound straining at the leash, for time and again he rushed in where goalkeepers should fear to tread. While it could hardly be said that he was directly responsible for any of Trams' goafe, his play was calculated to have- anything but a settling effect on the defence, • THere was always an open door to Smith, via the left wing, and Renshaw allowed Simm, who was in

fleety form, far too much liberty. Colebourne could not hold the fort against the odds, and the Trams played well to the weakness. Jones, Gerrard and Giltnour weitffcest for Shore-fti defence. Tltc front rank could be a mighty force with combination more fully developed and shooting brushed up. All performed well, and Jay and Woolley surprised even themselves by getting in amongst the goals.

Tramways are entitled to tlie utmost credit for their display. As a team they worked together well. Batty was right at the top of his form, and Simpson stood out as one of the best backs on the field. Stretton was always in thhe thick of the game, but would benefit by taking matters less seriously. Watson, Tinkler and Fyffie were sound as a bell all the game through; the last named suffered through lack of inches and speed for which he certainly cannot be held responsible. The forwards moved with unison. Davis, evergreen, ever willing, and never tiring, was a force in attack and made many openings. Simm was deadly in centres, and his turn of speed was a surprise to many who tried to think when "Freddy" first appeared in

the game in Auckland. Spencer's one weakness was shooting. He tried many of his characteristic "first-timers" but these never seemed to come off. Still they were worth trying, and h# distributed the play jnost unselfishly. Spong and Sutcliffe in the ideal turf conditions revelled in combined attack, and kept Dan Jones always busy. The game was cleanly and openly contested all the way and worth seeing.