ELECTRIC SOCCER.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 102, 2 May 1929, Page 14

ELECTRIC SOCCER.

THRILLING ENCOUNTER. TRAMS DEFEAT DUNEDIN. ROUSING GAME AT B LANDLORD. \ Following on the memorable game last Wednesday evening when the highly-skilled eleven from H.M.s. Dutiediu drew with the Auckland reps., came the meeting last night of the sailors' team with the Tramways, the Auckland champions of last season. It was expected after their great display oi last week that the navymen would be too fast and fit for Trams, but the corporation side to a man excelled themselves, carrying off a deserved victory after a most meritorious display. There was only a slight margin, however, between the teams in a game that was contested at lightning pace, but in the cleanest of sportsmanship. The encounter became rousing throughout, the vocal accompaniment of the uniformed spectators being deafening at times, but always good-natured and fair. The Game. The teams lined up as follows: — Dunedin (white). —Clarke, Trace, Viney, Wilkes, Heed, Swinney, Burton, Miln, Rivers, Tite, Scott. Tramways (green and black). —Batty, McElligott, Hopkins, Watson, Christie, iFyffie, Spong, Tinkler, Spencer, Bell, Stretton. Referee: Mr. R. H. Parfitt. From the whistle the game was thrilling. The "stand" kept matters exceedingly lively while dour and determined play on the field gave the large attendance full value. Trams pressed first, but Navy retaliated and for a time had the best of matters. , They were kept out of shooting range. I See-saw was the order and back came Trams. Spencer and Tinkler worked nicely into position for the latter to lob in a dangerous shot. Clarke failed to clear andBell running in got the ball into the net, the point being disallowed presumably for offside. Give and take play of a very fast nature followed and Scott, profiting by a badly judged clearance by McElligott, got right away. When on the penalty line, however, the sailor lost his footing and missed his shot. Pretty forward combination toy Trams again made ground. Tinkler and Spong showed up well and the latter crossed into the goal-mouth. Viney missed a clearance and the goalkeeper also played and missed the sphere for Stretton to rush in and score. To the consternation of the spectators, however, the point was again disallowed. A short visit to Batty brought the custodian into action, but once more Trams harassed Dunedin end. The sailors' backs did not relish Trams rush tactics and a great shot by Tinkler was just diverted out of the goal off Trace. A corner followed, beautifully placed by Spong and there were electric moments in front of Clarke till Trace again brought relief. The corporation side were giving a surprising display. The half-backs kept a tight grip on play and the locals remained in Navy's half. They got down on the sailors' defence by fast, long passing, but their finishlng was just a little out. A clever clearance by Trace transferred play and a determined raid b,y the inside forwards looked like bearing fruit, but Trams packed their, goal and a fruitless corner resulted. A short, sharp bombardment of Clarke's citadel was followed by another dash to Batty's end, where Rivers shot out when nicely placed. There was no slackening of the pace and the honours were evenly divided. Towards the close of the spell the Aucklanders again broke through on two occasions, Stretton, Bell and Spencer

all having tries. Then Tlte manoeuvred cleverly for position and gave to Reed. The latter beat Christie and Fyflle and tried a long drive that just shaved the uprights. The whistle sounded immediately afterwards, the teams changing ends with the scoring sheet blank. Dunedin 0 Tramways 0 Second Spell. Trams got right down on Clarke oil resuming, through a run by Spong, but Reed came to the rescue and dribbled far into -the Trams' territory before slipping forward to Rivers for McElligott to clear. Fyflle stopped a raid and Tinkler and Spencer made ground. The centre was careering through on his own when Trace stopped him. But the locals were not to be so easily repulsed and a clever trap and first-time shot by Spencer produced a corner, exciting play following in the goalmouth where it remained for a 'time. The ground was treacherous on the surface and Several likely chances went abegiging on that account. Christie was outstanding at this juncture by sterling work on defence and attack and the green and blacks continued to have rather the best of the exchanges. Reed was equally prominent for Dunedin, but his long range shooting was not as accurate as usual. Spencer fastened on to a long clearance from Hopkins and let Spong away. After an exciting tussle with Swinney the home outside-right crossed. Stretton rushed up and with a hard right foot, half volley opened the scoring to a deafening roar from the crowd. Tramways 1 Dunedin 0 There had not been a dull minute in the game so far and operations were resumed with even added energy. But it was Trams who kept on the aggressive. Then Swinney and Reed were responsible for pretty combination which carried them through the opposing defence, but Reed's parting shot again went out. A pretty pass from Viney let Scott away. He carecwid along the touch to centre beautifully. The rightwings dashed in together for Mlln to get the ball and breast it past Batty for the equaliser. Tramways ................... 1 Dunedin 1 The sailors' success was hailed by deafening cheers and there was a prolonged vociferous demonstration for nearly five minutes. In that period both goals had 'been visited per medium of desperate raids. Spencer and Bpong again broke away and a good cross by the latter was missed by Clarke for Bell to rush in and' net. To the great chagrin of the spectators, for the third time, Tramways had a score disallowed. A few minutes later, however, back came Trams and Stretton had the hardest of luck with a great drive, nearly up-rooting the post. In a twinkle the whites were off in full cry, Reed got yet another try and this time his aim was unerring, but Batty was safe and cleared beautifully. With a few minutes to go and Trams pressing desperately, Stretton beat Wilkes and gave to Bell. The inside-left, however, got in only a glancing kick and a great chance was lost. Then Tinkler shot straight at Clarke, but a second later another ideal centre from .Spong found Spencer's head and the black and greens went in the lead. Remembering the experience last week when Dunedin equalised in the dying seconds of the game excitement became white hot. The sailors had . a lightning raid on Batty's goal and came within a ace of scoring before being driven back.. Ere the final whistle sounded Trams had again attacked, but there was no further scoring and another memorable exposition of really electric Soccer ended with a worthy victory to the home side. Scores: TramwayiS .................. 2 Dunedin l