THRILLING SOCCER.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 214, 10 September 1928, Page 12

THRILLING SOCCER.

AUCKLAND RETAIN TROPHY. DRAWN MATCH WITH WELLINGTON TWO GOALS APIECE. Blandford Park housed on Saturday one of the largest attendances at a Soccer match for many seasons, and the game played was the most thrilling and of the highest class seen in the city, if not in New Zealand. Wellington challenged Auckland for the Football Association Trophy, won by the local reps, on the Basin Reserve on the previous Saturday, and both teams played Soccer in masterly fashion. From the kick-off to the final whistle the contest was one long thrill, towards the close especially, when Auckland were pressing severely, and were several times on the point of scoring. The teams were exceptionally evenly matched, but in the second spell, nearing the close, Auckland deserved an advantage. The Teams. The English trophy, resting in a prominent place in the grandstand, was a conspicuous object. The Mayor (Mr. G. Baildon) was among the spectators, and it was intimated that he would present the trophy at the conclusion of the J match.

Auckland made no change in the team which won such a glorious victory at the Basin Reserve, but the Wellington side underwent alterations in three departments. Lucaa (formerly of Auckland Y.M.C.A.) took the place of Fletcher in goal, and McGirr, Who played at left-back at Wellington, turned out in the right back position, partnered by Haines. The right-wing wa« composed of McLeod and Leslie, instead of Barton and Campbell. The elevens were:— Auckland.—Batty, Gerrard, Simpson, Tinkler, Christie, Jones (captain), Humphreys, Innes, Spencer, Davies, Chalmers. Wellington.—Lucas, McGirr (captain), Haines, Farquhar, Campbell, McCormack, McLeod, Leslie, Longbottom, Smith, Stark. Referee, Mr. R. H. Parfitt. Even First H^lf. Auckland won the toss and Longbottom kicked off on a ground which wm wet on the top but appeared to afford an excellent foothold. The first advance came from the visitors' rightwing, but Simpson had no difficulty in clearing and Auckland took a turn for Humphreys to drop in an accurate centre, only to see the ball intercepted by Campbell before Innes could gather it. Auckland were making a great show and Christie initiated a pretty triangular movement which was nullified by the intervention of MoCormack. A raid down the centre by the visitors saw Longbottom shoot wide from an awkward angle.

Batty made a good save from McLeod, a claim that the ball had been carried over the line being deservedly over* ruled. The home side swept back to the attaek, and Innes put in a pretty backward pass which enabled his wing half to set Spencer on the move. The Tramways' centre-forward ran into position and banged in a 30yds drive, which was cleared in workmanlike fashion by Lucas, whilst, when Wellington made reprisals, Jones saved the situation in great style. Still the visitors were very persistent, and the best shot of the match so far came from Leslie, who snapped up a pass from Campbell, and let drive from 40yds range. The ball went low and true towards goal, but Batty saved brilliantly, and Auckland dashed back, for Humphreys to gain possession and drop in an accurate centre. Lucas gathered the ball and cleared in good style, and a minute later he had to save again from the same forward. Ten minutes from half time Wellington gained the lead in somewhat lucky fashion. McLeod received from Farquhar, and ran on to centre accurately. The ball was headed forward by Smith, and the inside ieft headed towards goal. Gerrard made an attempt to clear, but deflected the ball past Batty, and the visitors were one up. Wellington 1 Auckland 0 Auckland played up in strenuous fashion, and five minutes from the interval they got on terms through Innes, who received from Spencer, beat McCormack, and, running on, dropped in a short shot, which entered the net over the goalkeeper's head. Auckland 1 Wellington j Nothing Between Them.

Leslie played centre forward for Wellington in the second half, changing places with Longbottom. The game was fast and interesting, both sets of forwards showing clever footwork, with Auckland the more impressive team. The pace was faster than in the first half, and the speed and willingness of the play made a great appeal to the crowd. Three minutes from the resumption Spencer drove in a brilliant shot which rebounded from the crossbar, and Innes gathered the ball ngatly in the next advance, only to head the wrong side of the upright at the close of the advance. The game continued fast and thrilling, far better than in the first half, and there was little to choose between the teams. Twenty minutes from the interval Wellington took the lead, Leslie beating Gerrard and eluding Simpson, to send in a shot which gave Batty no possible chance. Wellington 2 Auckland ...!!! 1 The ding-dong battle continued, and the crowd were raised to a fever-heat of excitement. Five minutes of end-to-end play were ended by the equaliser, Humphreys securing from a beautiful centre by Chalmers, and scoring a pretty goal. Auckland 2 Wellington 2

Batty made a brilliant save when the Wellington inside forwards were raiding dangerously, and at the end of another home attack McCormack cleared with resource and judgment from the home right wing. Christie fed his forwards cleverly, and from one of his transferences Humphreys sent in a long shot. Innes intercepted it, heading the moving ball very cleverly, for Lucas to make a great save. Spencer was giving a brilliant exhibition at centre-forward, and Auckland were standing the hard pressure well, having the greater part of the exchanges. Christie and Jones were the initiators of a dangerous attack which was ended by a fine clearance on the part of McGirr. Both teams were feeling the strain in the closing stages, but they stood up to it nobly, and Innes came very near giving his side the lead, missing by inches only with a snap shot. And so the game ended with the scores: Auckland 2 Wellington 2 JUNIOR RESULTS. SECOND GRADE. Glen Eden 2, beat Rangers 1. Corinthians 3, beat Metro. 1. FOURTH GRADE. Tamaki 2. beat Burnley 1. FIFTH GRADE. Y.M.C.A. A 3, beat Y.M.C.A. B 1. Shore 1, beat Comrades A 0. CITY AND SUBURBAN ASSOCIATION. SENIOR. Celtic 3, beat Thistle 2. Bon Accord 3, beat Richmond 1. PRIMARY SCHOOLS. The curtain raiser between the Waikato and Auckland primary school reps, resulted in the South Aucklanders reaping a revenge over their opponents, who won the Webster Shield, the North Island championship, at Huntly a fortnight ago. . The game was always fast and evenly contested, with Waikato superior in ball control and positional play. Waikato scored In the first spell through Spence, while Auckland were weak in front of goal, and changed ends one down. In the second spell Auckland had the upper hand, but failed to press home their advantages. Towards the close they pressed almost continuously, and there were many exciting passages, but Auckland failed to equalise. Waikato retired worthy winners by the only goal scored. GAMES IN THE PROVINCE. HAMILTON. Pukemiro Junction 2, beat Hamilton Wanderers 1. GAMES IN THE SOUTH. CHRISTCHURCH. Nomads 0, drew with Western 0. New Brighton 5, beat St. Alban's 1. Thistle 3, beat Villa 0. Technical Old Boys 5, beat Sumner 1. BUSINESS HOUSES. Fixtures and ground appointments for next Wednesday's draw are as follows:— Hellaby's, Ltd. v. Auckland Powir, Blandford Park, 4.30 p.m.; Tramways v. Booth Macdonald and Co.. Inner Domain No. 2, 4.30 p.m.; Abel's, Ltd. v. Kent's and Sons. Outer Domain No. 1. 4.30 p.m.; Farmers' Trading Co v. Auckland Milk Co., Inner Domain No. 1, 4.30 p.m.