SOCCER FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 124, 28 May 1928, Page 14

SOCCER FOOTBALL.

THISTLE IN LEAD.

DEFEAT OF Y.M.C.A.

BELMONT DRAW WITH NORTHCOTE

The conclusion of the first round of the senior Soccer competition 011 Saturday was marked by the finest game of the season when Y.M.C.A. gave Thistle the most determined struggle they have had to reach their position at the top of the table. The game from first to last was one long thrill, though in the end the verdict went the right way.

Tramways rather surprised Onehunga on the latter's ground by a three-goal victory, while the same margin at Devon port for Ponsonby against the local eleven was more pronounced than was expected. Belmont and Northcote divided the points, sriving the latter their first counter for the season.

TABLE TO DATE.

On the close of Hie first round of the senior competition the position of the teams is as follows :— Goals

TEAM WORK PREVAILS.

The two leading teams. Thistle and Y.M.C.A., provided Blandford Park patrons with a thriller from end to end. From the outset the pace was on, and despite the handicap of facing a strong wind, Y.M.C.A. launched the first offensive. Then Thistle took charge, but it was not until Y.M.C.A. had withstood a long-sustained attack that Kay drew first blood for Thistle. Under the spur Y.M.C.A. at once reversed the run of the play, and Hoban had soon equalised the score. Thereupon it was a ding-dong battle till the interval without further score. Quickly into their stride after the breather. Thistle regained their lead when Cummings sent one into the net, but from a corner kick very shortly afterwards Humphreys put his side again on equality with the opposition. With heavy rain falling there was a deal of uncertainty about the footwork, but Thistle kept up an incessant attack which was rewarded wheu Christie got a long shot into the net. Y.M.C.A. made a desperate finish, but could not recover the leeway, and the game ended Thistle 3 Y.M.C.A. 2

EVEN

Tn the curtain raiser at tlic park, Belmont and Nortlicote divided honours. In the first spell a goal by Ilortou was matched by a successful shot by Allen. After the interval Gidley put Nortlicote in front, but the advantage was lost, when a penalty was incurred by Lyons, enabling Lithgow to find the net, and the game ended :— Xorthcote ~ Belmont •« -

PONSONBY'S DECISIVE WIN.

A strong wind blowing across the pitch and torrential rain during the second half made matters difficult for both sides at Devonport Domain on Saturday, but considering the conditions play was of an excellent standard.

North Shore had a rearranged half back line in consequence of the absence, through injuries, of <;ilniour and Renshaw, and it was their comparative weakness in the intermediate division which turned the issue in favour of the visiting side. Ponsonby were well served at forward, Stewart leading the attack with dash and skill, whilst Innes and Ahem combined effectively on the right wing. Ponsonby scored after ten minutes' piny through a free kick, Stewart netting easily after the goalkeeper had bounced the hall, instead of clearing straight away. There were 110 more goals till the interval, but the visitors were the more impressive side. They scored again through Stewart and Williams, whilst Moore registered oue for the home side. Ponsonby 4 North Shore ... 1 TRAMS' GOOD WIN. At Onehunga also it was an unlucky day for the home side. Tramways carrying too many guns for them. For the first spell Onehunga made a game of it, and the only score was one registered by Spencer from a penalty. Tramways more or less took charge in the second half, and Reid and Spencer added two more goals, the game ending:— Tramways 3 Onehunga 0

JUNIOR RESULTS.

SECOND GRADE. Onehunga 2, drew with Ponsonbv 2. Shore 1. drew with Newmarket 1. Metropolitan 3, beat Kiwi 1. THIRD GRADE INTERMEDIATE. Comrades 4, beat Mt. Albert 2. Eden Rovers 13, beat All Saints 0. THIRD GRADE OPEN. Belmont 2, beat Ponsonby 0. W.Y.M.I. 3, beat New Lynn 2. FOURTH GRADE. Belmont 1, beat Glen Eden 0. FIFTH GRADE. Shore 3, beat Carlton 0. Belmont 3, beat Tamaki J. SIXTH GRADE. B"lmout 3. beat Shore 1. Carlton 3, beat Tamaki 2. W.Y.M.I. 3. beat Y.M.C.A. B 0. Comrades B 5, beat All Saints' 0. SECONDARY SCHOOLS. SENIOR. Auckland Grammar 2, beat Mount Albert A 1. Mount Albert B 5, beat Technical B 2 Technical A 7, beat St. Stephen's 0. JUNIOR. Mount Albert A 7, beat Technical B 0 Technical A 1 drew with Mount Albert B 1. Auckland Grammar 4, beat Kowhai 1. GAMES IN THE SOUTH. PALMEItSTON NORTH. Athletic u, boat St. Andrew's 2. U.S.A. defaulted to Flock House. WELLINGTON. Institute 5, beat Seatoun 2. Marists 1, drew with Thistle 1. Diamonds 3. beat Petone 2. Hospital 2, beat Y.M.C.A. 1. Senior B. —Waterside S, beat Marist 1; South Wellington 1, beat Johnsonville 0; Hutt 2, beat Brooklyn 1; Thistle 3, beat Swifts 1.

CHRISTCHURCH. Nomads 5, beat Thistle nil. Technical 6, beat St. Albau's 3. Western 1. beat Villa nil. DUNEDIN. Technical Old Boys 4, beat Seaclilfe 1. High School Old Boys 7, beat Mosgiel 0. Y.M.C.A. 9, beat Mornington 2. Maori Hill «. beat Northern 2. INVERCARGILL. Corinthians S. beat Rangers 0^

REP. TEAMS CHOSEN.

ELEVENS FOR KING'S BIRTHDAY. Tlie solo selector, Mr. A. P. Neesham, lias announced his teams to play in- the rep, matches on Blandford Park on the King's birthday. The A team will play the Waikato reps., while the B side will be opposed by an eleven from the Navy, and will supply the curtain-raiser. The teams arc as follows:— A Team: Zuill (Thistle), Whowell (Onehunga), Gcrrard (North Shore), Carter (Thistle), Christie (Thistle), Jones (North Shore), Innes (Ponsonby, captain), Chalmers (Y.M.C.A.), Spencer (Tramways), Mooney and Kay (Thistle). B. Team: Pa ton (Y.M.), Ferguson (Thistle, captain), Williams (Ponsonby), Dick (Y.M.), Wright (Ponsonby), Terry (Onehunga), Whimster (Onehunga), Grant (Y.M.), Gill (Onehunga), Jay (Shore), Goodman (Y.M.).

WELLINGTON REPRESENTATIVES.

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON. Sunday.

Tlie following team will represent Wellington in a Soccer matcn against Westland on June 4 :—FWcher, Gibb, MeGirr, Findlav. Campbell, McCormick, Burton, Campbell, Leslie. Lack, Stark. Reserves: Auton and Farquhar. The following team will play Man.iwatu at Palmerston North on June 4 : — Wyatt, G. Wotherspoon, Randolp. McLennan. Kershaw. ITanion, Bliby, Maddocks, liigby, Marchment, Cudby, Reserve: T. Wotherspoon.

P. \V. Jj. I). F. A. Pts. Thistle .... 7 <» 1 # 22 11 12 y.MC.A. ::: 7 s a o is 11 10 Ponsomby .,7 5 ii O -<i l.» 10 Onehunpi .. 7 3 3 1 10 1J 7 North Shore 7 3 3 1 18 14 7 Tramways .. 7 3 3 1 14 IB « Northcote ,« 7 O 5 li 10 2ft - Belmont 0 6 1 9. 17 1