CUP TIE SOCCER.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 161, 10 July 1928, Page 16

CUP TIE SOCCER.

CHATHAM FIRST ROUND.

YJf.CJL FOR LOCAL HHAL.

Belmont's Plucky fight.

Belmont put ap a plucky fight against Y.M.CA. on Blandford Park last Saturday in the first round of tl><* Chatham Cup contest,*l>ut in the end had to admit defeat; by the odd goal in three. The only other senior game played was at OnehuHga, where Nortbcote were the guest* of the local side and the points went to the home team by the only goal scored. The innovation of the management of the A.F.A, to provide a curtainraiser at the park between lower grade teams was inaugurated last Saturday, and though the conditions were far from being favourable the contest between Glen Eden and Philomel, second- grade elevens, was always interesting. Unprecedented entries have been received for the Falcon Cup, the first round of which will be played on Saturday next. There are thirteen teams in the hunt for the trophy, including senior, second and one third grade, and the competition should be very interesting. It wtua a strange coincidence that all the senior teams should be drawn, against each other. Ponsonby have received a severe blow in the loss of Clem Bell, their versatile back and forward. Bell has received a position that is likely to take him into the country every week, and he will oe unable to be in the city in time for the Saturday afternoon games. With the cup ties at hand his absence from the tegpi will cause an unfortunate upset, for Bell was the general handy man ot Ponsonby, playing in attack or defence as required. A player of endless energy, that strong recommendation was yet one of his greatest handicaps, because in his eagerness to help his side he was frequently lending substantial assistance amongst the backs, while the forward line had a blank by his absence there. Bell will be missed. FAIR JUNIOR STANDARD. The standard of play shown on Blandford Park laet Saturday in the curtainraiser was of a fairly high order. There are some senior teams in the competitions who could well afford to strengthen their ranks by «ome of the players seen in the Glen Eden-Philomel game. The country side has a rear division of old and experienced Soocerites. The familiar flguffc of A. Alp was conspicuous. Alp is a former Auckland rep. and a fullback who can still rank high in the code. He was the founder of the Glen Eden Club and he has certainly laid a strong foundation. It was in 1919 and 1921 that Alp appeared most prominently for the, A.F.A., and the generalship he showed the youngsters on. Saturday is one of the most beneficial influences the game can have. There were three Alps in the Glen Eden combination and while one or two of them appear to be in the "snowy" stage now, their playing was a stimulus of the younger generation, Backed up by clever placing and-general support, a front line of comparative youth* gave a very good account of thfemselve*. The wing play of Gnahani and Woods on the right was very promising, anil H. Alp and Jones on the left 'vere always in position to accept the. lrom the half-backs of mu cro8 » e « from the right. The Crlen Eden aide had. .more pro-

flounced team work than has been seen in some senior teams this season, the side giving undoubted evidence of careful coaching. The sailor* turned out a strong eleven I and it was the opinion of not a few spectators that the senior competition wonld not be disgraced by either Philomel or their opponents. Where the navymen failed was in finishing and weakness on the extreme wings. Black at inside-left was the most aggressive in the forward line, but he had a ten- ! dency to hang too long to the leather. I The half-backs distributed the play well and the backs were fairly safe, but combination could be improved. The match was certainly an improvement on some of the curtain-raiser* this season. STUBBORN DUEL. Taking it all tfirough, there was nothing separating T.M. and Belmont on the run of the play in the cup tie on Saturday. The conditions were not conducive to anything in the nature of exact Soccer and with a trophy at stake some of the play ere were at times off their usual, game. There were many exciting moments during the progress of the game with many chances sacrificed through over-anxiety. It must be stated that one of the features of the game was the vast improvement apparent in the display of the men from across the water, and, compared with their previous game on the park, they were »• most effective side. The defence tackled with determination and zest and the forwards were as fit and fleet-footed at the close as at the beginning. The heavy turf and the waterlogged conditions were less novel to Y.M. than to their opponents and the footwork of the winners was superior to Belmont's, but otherwise there was little if any margin between the teams. Y.M. certainly had more finish In their tactics as one would expect from an older combination, but this is'a feature that Belmont is rapidly assimilating.. The colour# defence had a busy afternoon and Otter was outstanding with his dashing clearances. There is in the play of the left back a whole-hearted endorsement of the saying "he w"h o hesitates is lost." Otter never hesitates. Paton was not a great deal in evidence except in his meandiirings round his goalmouth in the second half with the ball at his t«>e to keep away frostbite. Clanaclian was always depend-

able and sure in his clearances, though less conspicuous than his partner, Otter. The Y.M. half-back line were all workers and at some stages of the game kept a strangle hold on the Belmont vanguard. Their faults were mostly due to the conditions underfoot. In the forwards McAuslin, a third grade youth, was Introduced and gave a very promising display. He showed a nice conception of the code and his support of Goodman often gave the winger a flying start. ... - Goodman played a very useful game and is adopting the method of cutting-in on the run. which promises well. Humphreys h*d to battle hard throughout the game against an eager •nd willing opposition, - but he distributed the ball judiciously to his wings. Grant was a plodder all the way and most of his work was well throught out. Chalmers and N. Bach had many willing bouts and the Y.M. winger made a mistake, which, he appeared to appreciate, in trying to , beat hia man by phyaieal.

means. The winger was, however, always a source of danger. The meeting of Y.M. and Ponsonby in the local final should be worth seeing. Belmont's. rear division gave nothing away in the matter of defence. Every man yielded 100 per cent of his capabilities; there were no shirkers. Chesney had no chance with the goals registered against him, and Aiurphy and Follas were vigorous and alert in repelling the many attacks of their opponents. The middle line were always in the thick of the game and Lithgow stood out with

effective breaking up and agile clearances. The Bach cousins, Reynolds on the right and Neville on the left, stuck to their opposing wings like mud and packed their goal when danger threatened, lending their clubmates a willing hand. The defence of the team, however, performed only half of its function. That is to say that when the ptayers had robbed an opponent of the ball and sent the leather a substantial distance up the field, they appeared to- be satisfied. As a defending force they were successful, but what was lacking in their play and should be atrived for, was something constructive. Always granted that the conditions were the worst possible for ball control, there was at th» game time a complete absence of any indication that the middle line had a clear conception of the finer points of the which they certainly cou'.d at least have shown. Like most of the senior teams to-day there was nothing in the way of tactical play, an art that is at present at a very low ebb in the code here. Half-backs form an arm of attack as well as defence, though very few clubs appear to cultivate this aspect of the game. Belmont's forwards, like their defenders, were eager, sometimes too much so, fearless and hard to keep at bay, though cohesion was perhaps one of their weakest departments. While on two or three occasions there were illustrations of how the easiest scoring chance can be miraculously thrown away all the five must be forgiven mistakes for their apparent determination to give of their best. What is wanted, and no doubt it is more in evidence under decent conditions, is combination and tactical understanding in the team. Where all performed so creditably it would be unfair to particularise, but Trewheela deserves a word for the clever goal he registered. Belmont's day. however, is 9not far distant.

GOOD GAME AT ONEHUNGA. Once there was a Soccer scribe who waxed rhapsodical about the natural beauties of the Onehunga ground, with its green grass and spreading trees (to say nothing of the cowslips). He would probably not have been stirred to such poetic depths had it been his lot to stand alongside the touchline on Saturday, when the conditions were, to put it mildly, far from vernal. A keen "easterly" blew across the greensward, and it needed a wellfought game to arouse any enthusiasm amongst the spectators. Fortunately the game against Northcote was well above the average, in quality if not in score, and those who made the journey to the verdant banks, of the Manukau were well rewarded for their trouble. Only one goal was scored,

but it is consoling to be able to state that I—o was a very fair replica of the game, and that the one goal was scored by the side which deserved to win. To add to the pleasure of the local supporters it was the local side which scored that goal. Onehunga are making a brave show this season, and they appear to have the makings of a vigorous and clever side which is certain of greater success in the future.

Outstanding figures amongst the victorious eleven were Bentley, Whowell and Whimster, and it is fair to put them in that order, for although the outside right and the right back did more of a spectacular nature, there could be no gainsaying the merit of the work which Bentley accomplished. Time and again he broke up dangerous Northeote attacks, whilst his "constructive" play was always an asset to his side and a source of very present help to his colleagues in the front rank.

Bentley began his playing career as a forward, but he was well advised to settle in his present position, for Ins style is typical that of a half-back. There is no superabundance of grace about his methods, but they are very effective, and he should improve still further. Cotton and Gill played usefully, and there were one or two pretty touches during the second half from Soandle, who kept his partner well plied with passes. The wind kept the ball away from Wliimster's wing a good deal during this period, but "young Arthur" made his presence felt on more than one occasion, and one characteristic individual run was much to the liking of the onlookers.

Nortbcote played solidly and with an excellent sense of team-work against a strong opposition, Hibbert and Thompson being a sturdy pair of backs, and McKernon a tower of defensive strength at left half. Doree, the veteran Navy player, had an outing at inside left, and showed up creditably amongst his vonnger colleagues. Altogether, it was an excellent game well handled by Mr. E. F. Miller, the referee.

JUNIOR JOTTINGS

The game between Hangers and Newmarket in the second division provided a fast and vigorous encounter, but the weather conditions made good combination a matter of impossibility, the strong wind and driving rain making ball control a difficult proposition. The game was evenly contested, but the better finishing when in front of goal enabled Rangers to win by 2 goals to nil. Newmarket lost many chances by the weak display of their three inside forwards, who were often crowded together when on the attack, enabling the opposing defence to hold them easily. Team work was also lacking, although the backs as a whole performed well. Rangers, on the other hand, showed better positional play and understanding, and, except for a tendency by one or two of the forwards to hang on too long when a pass would have served better, displayed better all-round football. McKain (full-back) was outstanding for ■ Rangers, his defence being a feature, while Ballock also showed good form at right half, placing the ball well. For Newmarket Potts (full-back) and Smith (centre-half) were the best of a hard-working side.

W.Y.M.1., the leaders of the third open grade, proved too strong for Ponsonby, winning comfortably by 3 goals to nil. With a team of youth and experience blended, they have built up a combination that will carry them far, their team work and positional play

being of a high order. It will take a good side to lower their colours.

The Belmont v. New Lynn third grade open game was stubbornly contested, Belmont eventually winning by 2 goals to 1. New Lynn failed to take advantage of the wind and driving rain in the first spell, their backs failing in placing the ball. Belmont played the game suited to the conditions, keeping the ball down when playing against the wind, and giving the opposing backs plenty to do when they changed ends. To these tactics they owe their success, as there was nothing between the teams otherwise.

Tamaki met Comrades at Victoria Park i.ll the fourth grade fixture and the game ended in a draw I—l. Tamaki commenced with the advantage of a strong wind and several times narrowly missed scoring. Tamaki full-backs, H. and R. Stone, gave a good display. In the second spell Comrades took up the attack, and Marvin played an excellent game at centre-forward, with King very safe in goal. The Burnley and New Lynn fourth grade game was a ding-dong struggle, and provided fast and clever football by both sides. New Lynn won by 2 goals to 1, but on the run of the play Burnley were unlucky to lose as they did a considerable amount more attacking work than their opponents, but weak finishing proved their undoing. Several times clever work by King and Young on the right wing would take play right up to the goal mouth, but the final touch was lacking each time. New Lynn, on the other hand, were always dangerous and their two goals were the result of the final touch being applied at the right time. For New Lynn Russell (fullback), and Howard (inside-left) were outstanding, while Ward (centre-half), Young (inside-right) and King (outsideright) were the best for Burnley.

SUBURBAN ASSOCIATION.

A meeting of Soccer enthusiasts was held at headquarters in Dominion Road to form a new senior club. Mr. James Curran, sen., was appointed chairman, and it was unanimously decided to form a team in the district under the name of "Auckland Celtic Football Club," and to affiliate with the City and Suburban Association. The election of officers resulted as follows: President, Mr. J. Curran, sen.; vice-president, Mr. Jack Grey; secretary and treasurer, Mr. J. Little; coach, Mr. E. Carter; trainer, Mr. Pat Gordon. A committee of six was also appointed. Several prominent players have already signed up for the team, and it is hoped to stage a match next Saturday. The practice match at Pine Street last Saturday finally sealed the fate of some of Auckland's, if not . New Zealand's, most capable exponents of the code. Great is the pity. What will be the next step it is difficult to imagine. It is stated that the New Zealand Council has called for a report from both parties to the dispute, but that indicates nothing. Even the fact that must have been glaring at them for three weeks that a serious split loomed very ominously ahead meant nothing evidently to Wei lington, and it appears that, so far as they are concerned, matters may just take their course. Meantime it is stated that the Suburban Association will have four clubs strong this week, and will commence Competitions in spite of the obvious consequence of excommunication and expulsion from the legitimate stage of Soccer.