PROMISING SOCCER.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 103, 4 May 1931, Page 15

PROMISING SOCCER.

A GOOD BEGINNING. PROMOTED TEAMS DO WEIX. SHORE AND NEW LYNN GET POINTS. If throughout the Soccer season, which was inaugurated under ideal cir-

cumstances on Saturday, general anticipations are upset as they were in the first games, followers of the code will

he kept in a condition of glorious uncertainty that Las been very much lacking of recent years. The victories to r the two promoted teams, North Shore and New Lynn, the former at the expense of last year's champions, will

go a long way to stimulate interest, and §j they indicate that there is little difference between the standard of play of the top teams of the B grade of last season and that of the A grade. The

conditions at headquarters were all that I could be desired, and the groundsman, Mr. Perris, deserves much credit for the Teeulta of his indefatigable labours in the enclosure. It was found that some of the drains were completely blocked, '' and when these are cleared the 'benefits should be seen in the standard of play. Generally speaking the play on Saturday was impressive. The footing and -the state of the turf certainly gave every opportunity for ball control, and the games were played at a surprising pace, while there .were indications of improvement in the general balance of most of the teams. The crowd at Blandford Park was encouraging, though it is hoped that as the season advances the numbers will grow.

Weak Finishing of Ponsonby, The game between Tramurewa and Jonsonby was easily the better of the two at headquarters. There was more I finish and purpose behind the moveinents cf the players than in the second I same. Tranmrewa fielded a side practically the same as last season, and Manu- < rewa players were conspicuous by their absence. Ponsonby eleven was much on the same lines as last season, and the I main reason why the points went to Tramurewa was because their opponents failed in front of goal—a fatal weakness of the Ponies. In team work Wd Understanding between the players Ponsonby was the most outstanding team of the day, and this feature was Wrprisingly absent from the Trams display. Ponies' rear division was much Wore constructive than was that of their opponents, where the defence was •ound and difficult to outwit, but lacked direction in parting with the ball. Where Tramurewa failed most, how«ver, was in the vanguard and the front line never got moving with that whesive action that has always characterised their play. The players have obviously not struck up an understand*g yet, and one drawback will be the roaming proclivities of Bell. On Saturday he was here, there and everywhere, most seldom

jiving his partner the support he ought to have been giving. Fyffie and Balloch are two left halfbacks, aud if both are to be in the team it .is impossible to have ;hem in their recognised place. The ex-Ponsonby lad did not settle / " do-wh to constructu 'e play, though his breaking up was Wte successful. (McMillan and Mill

got along only moderately well. The former 4s of the stand-off style, which caused Morrison to leave him on too many occasions to be beneficial to Ponsonby. Stretton and Simpson were steady and sound in their judgment at back, if not enterprising, and Jock Corbett showed his old skill if not his old speed.

Poisonby defence was sound and played with determination. Why changes were made was hard to understand. The attack also performed creditaibly, tout Forrester should recognise the uselessness of keeping the ball to himself as he did on Saturday. Parle, a nerweomer, has obviously not yet found his feet, but gave promise of capabilities if persevered with. Y.M. Outplayed By Shore.

It is no exaggeration to say that Y.M. was completely routed >by Shore in their opening game, and the losers looked anything but champions. Chapman was sadly missed, but it is too much to say that his presence would have made all the difference. What was most noticeable in the Y.M. display was the entire absence of anything in the nature of combination. The whole side as a matter of fact was disjointed and individual. A vast improvement will require to be effected if the club's supporters have not to foe severely disappointed. Hilliard's anticipation and judgment were far from his best, and the backs, Mouatt and Peter Kay, were ehaky at times, and reckless in their kicking. The half-back line, in the first and second spells, was the weak link in the side, and the forwards, as, individuals, did some clever things, but failed to get goals. . Shore played 'with their usual dash and determination, pressing home the long passes of the defence by vigorous rushes that upset the Y.M. reargurad. On the day the marine borough showed the steadiest and most capable defence of the teams on Blandford Park, and provided their form -was no flash in the pan they will take a deal of .beating. Hunt, at right back, gave a very impressive exhibition, and Peter Gerrard was the best back

on the ground. Colebourne was surprisingly steady and held to Kay with much success. Luke and Jones added the finishing touches for strategy and deadly tackling. The forwards were hard to hold. Jay, as a pivot, could

be more enterpris-

ing when near goal. Walters and Blackie were very while Wilson's hat-trick speaks for itself, and his partner, Crowley, gave him every assistance. Alto gether Shore's appearance was one of the features of the day.

SIX GOALS TO THISTLE

The beautiful Soccer ground at Walker Park provided a very popular venue for the meeting of. the old rivals, Thistle and Celtic, and there was an excellent atten-dance-encouraging evidence of the popularity of the round ball code in the romt Chevalier district. Flay was fast and clever during the early stages, and a thoroughly interesting contest appeared probable, tut unfortunately a nasty injury to Grant, Celtics centre-half, compelled his retirement, and fromtbls point the defence was weak and disorganised. During the second half Thistle had little to beat, and naturally SSSSfeJK H ajar?-* mishap to Grant, whose leg was hurt in a treble by Hislop, Green was off the field for a longlpellin the second half. Incidentally it was Green's unlucky day, for hi had the bad luck to deflect the ball

into his own goal on two occasions—surely a record in misfortune.

The outstanding feature of the match was the effective work of the Thistle forwards. Admirably led by McLeay, they showed ball control ami cleverness, as well as pace, and Gill, the ex-Onehunga player, fitted iu nicely at inside-left. He snowed excellent opportunism, and incidentally scored three good goals. Point Chevalier-Celtic (to give them their full name) showed dash and enterprise, relying on long-pass-ing methods more than close footwopk, but, as already mentioned, they were sadly weakened by the absence of Grant The team was reorganised, Rimmer coming out of goal to take up the centre-forward position, with Jones at centre-half. This sent Ansteed out to his normal position, as a wingforward, and the attack seemed better balanced than in Its original formation, but the disorganisation of the defence proved a big handicap. Dawson was always a tremendous forager at left-half, and Ansteed, too, worked whole-heartedly, but the side never established real cohesion and the result was never In doubt. However, Celtic need not be disheartened, for they have the makings of a very useful side. It might be worth while to give Rimmer a further turn as centre-forward, with Ansteed in bis last season position at inside-left, and the experiment of playing Dawson in the forward line might also be worbh trying.

NEW LYN'S VICTORY.

The ground at Onehunga was in excellent condition for the match between Onehunga and New Lynn. The win was an auspicious one and was well deserved, for, throughout, the victors were determined to show that their promotion had been justified. At half-time the score stood, nevertheless, in the home team's favour by a margin of two goals to nil. The position was, that, while Onehunga was progressive in the first half the team remained stagnant in the second spell, while their opponents, though slightly outclassed in the first period, clearly proved their superiority in the second by adding four goals, when the home side did nothing.

Nevertheless, Morris, the visitors' goalie, was kept busier throughout the game than Zuill, of Onehunga. It was a match in which the victors' goalkeeper did not a little to allow them to leave the field victorious. Again and again Onehunga sent in long shots and short, only to return baffled by the

% excellent keeping of I the visitors' goalie. I Onehunga managed is to keep their end up ii with two men short % for the first ten or 3 fifteen minutes. Then, 1 later, with a full 1 team, the home side 1 retaliated and swept 1 down the field. I Polwyn, Onehunga's ;| inside right, did not '■■ have many chances i during the game to 5 show especial brilii liance, but what be

did was sound. In the second period the outstanding players were Dunsmore, for New Lynn, who was responsible for two goals, Galloway, the outside left, directly responsible for one and indirectly for another, and Chrome, right back for Onehunga. Chrome did very good work in the back position, thwarting many a dangerous attack and boosting the leather upfteld in hard clearing punts. Against the attacks of DunsmoVeand Galloway, he and Lindsay proved themselves worthy of their trusts. Until the last six or seven minutes the match looked very much like closing in a draw, but New Lynn were not satisfied with dividing the DOints. They wanted to win, and so made a hot attack hotter, Jones puttmsc in the fourth goal to have the whistle sound immediately after. In final comment, it may be said that the game lacked really good combination, although every now and again there was definite evidence of it, with the promise of much to come as the season advances.

SECONDARY SCHOOLS.

SENIOR SECTION. Mount Albert A 8, beat Grammar 0. Technical 2, beat Mount Albert B 0. JUNIOR SECTION. Mount Albert A 8, beat Kowhal 1. Technical B 3, beat Mount Albert B 2, Technical A 5, beat Sacred Heart 0. INTERMEDIATE A SECTION. Takapuna 7, beat Kowhai 0. Mount Albert A 2, beat Grammar 0. INTERMEDIATE B SECTION. I Technical B 2, beat Mount Albert C 0.

GRADE RESULTS. SENIOR RESERVE. New Lynn 4, drew with Onehunga 4. Tramurewa 2, beat Ponsonby 1. SECOND GRADE. North Shore 6, beat Metro College 1. Burnley 6. beat Ponsonby 0. Tamaki 3, beat Y.M.C.A. 0. Glen Innes 6, beat Belmont 0. THIRD OPEN. New Lynn 4, boat Tramurewa 2. Abels 5, beat Burnley 2. Swanson 3, beat Glen Innes 2. THIRD INTERMEDIATE. Mount Albert 0.8. 3, beat Onehunga 2. FOURTH GRADE. Metro 2, beat Onehunga 0. . Y.M.C.A. A 2, drew with Metro A 2. Technical 0.8. 1, drew with St. Johns 1. Metro B 2, beat W.Y.M.I. 0. Onehunga 3, beat Shore 2. SIXTH GRADE. Comrades B 3, oeat Y.M.C.A. C 0. Tamaki 11, beat Y.M.C.A. B 1. Shore A 4, beat Onehunga 1 Technical 0.8. 5, beat Thistle 1. SEVENTH GRADE. Belmont B 2, beat Comrades B 0. Belmont A 2, beat Y.M.C.A. A 0. Comrades A 3, beat Shore A 1. GAMES IN THE SOUTH. WELLINGTON. Diamond 3, beat Marist 1. Thistle 1, drew with Seatoun 1. Waterside 2, drew with Petone 2. Hospital 4, beat W.Y.M.I. 2. PALMERSTON. St. Andrew's 6, beat Athletic 2. Flock House 4, beat R.S.A. 1. WANGANUI. Thistle 3, beat K.P.S. 2. Athletic 9, beat Eastbrooke 3. CHRISTCHURCH. Rangers 3, beat Thistle 2. Western 2, drew with Brighton 2. St. Alban's 4, beat Technical 1. Marist 5, beat Sumner 1. Nomads 2, beat Kaiapoi 1. DUNEDIN. High School Old Boys 3, beat Technical Oia .Boys 2. Maori Hill 8, beat Port Chalmers 3. Mosgiel 1, drew with Northern 1. Seacliff 2, beat Mornington 0.