SOCCER FIRST ROUND.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 138, 13 June 1932, Page 12

SOCCER FIRST ROUND.

WELL DESERVED WIN.

THE TALE OF A PENALTY.

Y.M.C.A. TAKE THE LEAD. THISTLE DROP VALUABLE POINT. POXSONBY SURPRISE SHORE. With the last game of the first round of the senior competition Y.M.C.A. take the lead from Thistle by one point, consequent on the Scots drawing with Oneliunga at the Manuki'.: ground on Sa>turday. This result was hardly expected, and goes to make the competition even more interesting. Another surprise was the victory of Poneouby over North Shore in a match that was contested stubbornly every minute, and in which there were thrilling passages aplenty. Glen Innos, for the third successive week, scored the full points, their latest victims being Tramurewa, who lost by the odd goal in five in the last minute of the match. Y.M.C.A. had an easy task against New Lynn, who rather surprised after their recent promising displays. The position of the teams now is:— Pis. Ch. r. w. l. d. v. a. Pts. y.m.c.a 7 t — ;: 2.-i n n Thistle 7 4 1 2 20 13 10 North Shore . . 7 2 2 3 21 17 7 Ponsonby 7 '.i ;: 1 14 14 7 New Lynn .... 7 2 ,'! 2 12 1(1 (i Onehunga 7 2 ;i 2 12 2."i i> Glen Innos .... 7 .'! 4—■ l."i IS (i Tramurewa ... 7 1 5 1 I.~> 20 o COMFORTABLE WIN FOR Y.M.C.A. The game on Blandford Park on Saturday between New Lynn and Y.M.I'.A., ending as it did in a s—l victory for the latter, was. as the score indicates, a rather one-sided affair. It seemed as though the competition leaders might have scored when they desired, and the visitors were helpless to keep the opposing forwards from repeatedly working into the danger zone. Yet, in the first spell, there was a period when the New Lynn side was decidedly unfortunate not to be in the lead —Mint is if it ran he termed a misfortune to miss ehlildtshly simple chances. But after that, while there were other opportunities which were allowed to slip, the visitors were obviously no match for their more methodical opponents. The greatest weakness in the New Lynn team was in the middle line, where nonp of the players had much idoa of cohesion and placing was palpably weak. The forwards lacked ball control, oven though the ball was slippery, nnd were by no means careful when partfid with the sphere. Now Lynn scorned to have a day off form for the team is capable of much bettor thinss than were indicated by Saturday's display.

Tt may have been in consequence of the play of the opposition, but Y.M. too were not over impressive. There certainly was a tendency on the part of some of the players to take the game easy, but many undue risks were taken and mistakes made that could, under different circumstances, have been very costly. The defence was never severely tested. It was a pity Unit Thornes showed a tendency to mar .h|s recent displays by tactics that were not always Judicious or tempered with discretion. Dunsmore could not in fairness be held culpable for all of the exchanges that were not of a commendable nature between the two. The Y.M. half back Iβ showing too much promise to spoil his future by getting into a habit of playing the nuin instead of the hall. He would be mueh more profitably employed studying tactical moves, which is a department of the game in which ho is yet far from proficient. The Y.M. forwards had sonic clever touches, and Chapman added dash and vim to the attack, but the right wins is not so deadly as it might be.

STIRRING PONSONBY-SHORE DUEL. One of the moßt thrilling games of the season so far. and gratlf.vinffly clean, was the meeting of Ponsonhy and North Shore on niandford Park, when the result, went to the city side by 3 goals to 2. Throughout the game the pace wa? fnst. the contest strenuous and the play very even. Tt is difficult to point to any difference between the teams, save to say that Ponsnnby thrice penetrated the Shore defence, and the latter only succeeded In replying twice. For Ponsonby. too. it must in fairness be snid that Shore scored their goals w'thiii two minutes of each other, at a time when Stewart. PonsOPby'S left bad; and the best on the field, was oft receiving nitontion after an injury. On th« run of the piny there was very little between the teams. For Shore, Smith. In goal, took a good deal of risk once or twice in leaving his charge, but again he saved excellently. Gerrard was a long way safer than his partner, Gill. In the half barks there was not a better than Webb, who played with rare dash and mndo many useful openings for the forwards. When he was transferred to inside left, which was a very doubtful move, he also ndriod thrust to the attack. Corbett found the pace trying, but was always steady, and Hnrt shows much promise. Palmer niiidn a reappearance in senior Soccer, and took the place of filwell most of the game. playIng at outside right tt> Blaekio. who does not appear to relish the outside berth. The right wing were always dangerous. Leonard played his usual forceful game and had to be' very closely watched. Shore left, wing was the weakest part of the team. But the whole side gave a pleasing exhibition.

Ponsonby team, which Included Revnral juniors, is' to bo commended on its sterling display. It was ehoractorstic of Ponsonhy and lived up to the. club's tradition of rising to the occasion when lenst expected. Watson's very feeble goal kicking nnd his tendency to over carry the hall wore his outstanding wonknwew. Goalkeepers seem to forpet tlint they are only allowed to carry the ball four steps, and. boiincinß the ball on tlie hand is carrying. Otherwise Watson apaiu pave a fine display. Stewart, at lett back, as already stated, was Hie most reliable defender on the field. His tackliiiK and clearances were always Bare, and he showed nioe judgment in counterinc the attacking movements of the oppo. sitlon. Stewart is overdue rep. honours. In the half backs Morrison took tho centre bertli and gave a splendid display. It was recrettable that his placing was so often off the mark. The wins half backs. Swales and Masters, are players with commendable pluck. Their tackling was determined, and their recovery fast, and they were both extremely willing workers. Ponjionb.v

forwards ansumod a new formation. Whim-

ster played inside to Bob Innes, Diamond

weut to centre, and Forrester partnered

Wlialey. The line constantly troubled the Shore, defence, but more by their bustling tactics than by well-judged play or cohesion. It was a style of play, howpver, ■ that- is diiffleuH:

to counter, and on the (lay it triumphed. ' loso%uan"rs'"vith "tl.n 0 opposition \vhimlfr played much better at tiialde rlsrl t than was expected, and Diamond was full of viilining. Innes took a deal of watching, but got ill sonic very useful work. both teams must be commended for the sporting spirit that characterised the match.

Glen Innea deserved their win iigainst Tnnnurewa at St. Heller's ou Saturday. in the second spell Traimirctva were deWledlv oulplayed, although in the first rni matters wore fairly even Glen Times were the more solid team, and were bettei both in defence and in attack. Bucks like H. and K. Stone, a goalie with the kicking power of Warren, a fairly reliable lialtliaek trio and enterprising forwards made Glen Innfis very hard to neat. Trniriurewi made valiant, efforts to BCOl'e the; deciding goal towards the close of the second spell, but as well as lacking that liftle extra drive to win through, they always had to contend with a very solid defence, in the Stone brothers, who continually averted danger with Ion?, clearing kicks, that immediately gave either the halves or the vanguard a chance" to do something in the Tramurewa area. In the second spell Glen Jnnee were consistently besieging the Traraurcwa citadel, but failed time and time again before the goal, which was valiantly defended by Tinkler and Simpson and, more particularly, Batty. Probably with, a less efficient goalie Tramure,w« misht have had a heavier defeat intlictcd upon them.

R. Welch wns the outstanding forward. He was responsible for all three of the Glen Innos goals, all of which were good ones. Welch was always at (.he spot when re([uired, and it was because of this quality that he was able to give his team the victory. He was ably assisted l>y Hitchiii, who was seen in some clever and resourceful play. Flashrnan also showed up spasmodically. In the first spell the Tramurewa forwards were inclined to get out of position, but in the second spell this fault was rectified. J. Huntor played scientifically in this spell, and was responsible for Tramurewa's second score. Ross netted Tnumirewa's ilrst goal in the first spell, and throughout he played a consistently good game, as did also Spencer, the Tramurewn captain and centre-forward. Jay and .Strctlon were seen in some good individualistic play. A remarkable point about the match was that, while the play in the first spoil was decidedly poor, patchy and undistinguished, play In the second spell was particularly good and delighted the goodly crowd.

The story of the Onehunga-Thistle match at VValknralcti Park is that of a deliberately misset! penalty—and what followed. The all-Important incident occurred early in the game, the referee, Mr. 15. V. Miller, giving a spot kick for a foul on dimming. Mr. Miller ruled that the foul occurred within the penalty area, n view that was not held by many of the onlookers, and apparently not by tho teams, for Wright, who took tho kick, purposely shot outside.

'J'hiit was possibly a sporting gesture, but us events lurnod out. it cost Thistle a point, and meant all the difference between victory unci u draw. One goal ench had been scored, and the tally was not added to by cither side, so that Tliistle shared the points of tho game, and drew instead of winning. The fact that the penalty was going to prove so important n factor could not be foreseen nt that early stage in the match, but the lesson of the incident is that spot kicks should not be purposely missed. After nil tho referee is the solo arbiter on a point of fact, and if he awards a penalty an attempt should be made to turn it to account. In this instance lie had no hesitation In deciding that the infringement occurred within the area, and did not consult the linesman who was nearest, as he could easily have done had he been in doubt.

Curiously enough Onehunga were awarde-1 a penalty a couple of minutes later, this being for an undisputed foul against Kennedy. This time again, the kick was missed, hut not intentionally, so both penalties "cancelled out." It had been a good match until these umisunl incidents occurred, hut. play subsequently was scrappy. Thistle science being upset by Onehunga vigour. Dawson, Dick and Davis were great players in the home half-back )iuc. and the scientific advances of the visiting Inside forwards were repeatedly checked. McI.eay and Hislop did many clever things. Hislop's ball control being us pretty as ever it was, but the line was disjointed as ft whole, and Onehunga. though far less clever, wore quite as effective. Huston and Frank Zuill were er- rgetlc and enterprising wingers, and Woodhall led the line with plenty of dash. Considering that they had their strongest team in the field Thistle did not distinguish themselves. McCosh showed a return to something like his beat form, and appeared to be well suited by the centre-halt position. Wright was the better of the two backs, and Germrd kept goal well. Thistle's solitary point was registered by Woode. and Huston scored for Onchuuga.

The uneven nature of the ground wns a big handicap to the teams. It wns interesting to hear from Mr. A. Insley, Onohuuga's member of the Control Board, that an attempt is to he made to have, the ground levelled next summer. A similar course was recently adopted on the Manukau Itugby Club's enclosure, and has resulted In a great improvement.

MR. MORRIS EXPLAINS. CONTROL BOARD RESIGNATION. Mr. \V. Morris, formerly a member of the Control Board of the A.F.A., writes as .follows in reply to the letter by "Fair Play" in last Monday's "Star":—

"In reply to •Fair Plays' letter in the 'Auckland Star' of Juno 0 I must say that it, is indeed pleasing to know that the activities of the Control Board of the A.F.A. are being watched with interest. As one oi tli o resigned members of that body I feel it my duty to throw a little lisht on the unusual happenings. In Hie first place may I be allowed to slate that any members o£ the A.F.A. may in a constitutional .manner otyain from tho secretary any information required upon any business of the association. I also realise that the supporters of the code who are not members are wanting information, and lightly so, regarding the _ unusual happenings referred to by 'Fair Play. "Briefly tho position is tins:—lt was the unanimous opinion of the Control Board elected fourteen months that the major cause of the uiitinaneial position of the association was the bad state ot Bland ford Park having reduced the standard of play, with consequent loss ot public support. A readjustment of the finances, after much tedious and. unpleasant work, was successfully negotiated. Thou it was reenlvetl that a plan ot improvements at Blandford park should bo proceeded with as far as ■possible. It was distinctly understood that tho scheme adopted could not .be completed and therefore could not 'be expected to make the plnviii" area perfect until such time ne u could he finished. The available money woe spent judiciously, the contractor and ground superintendent workliiK upon the understanding that the groundsman would carry out further essential draining during tho playing season in order to maintain tho improvement made. As supporters know, the park is now in better condition than it bne been at any time in its history, proving that the judicial selection of the groundsman fourteen months ago was Justified and successful. 4s I was superintendent of the parK during tho time the improvements were being carried out I fully understood and repeatedly gave the Control Board to understand, that to obtain -the fullest benefit from the ■money spent and tho work executed, the essential drainage referred to miwt be efficiently earned out, obviously requiring experienced workm"TheP spleudid condition of the park resulted in two members of the Control Board deciding that the services of an experienced groundsman were not required and that a youth be engaged to effeot a saving of £1 W per week for approximately eighteen weeks. . Several members ot the Control Board, including Mr L Brown and myself, seeing tlic dan'ser of Blandford Park again bccomine the cause of financial loss through thus obviously false economy, opposed the proposal by constitutional methods. Unfortunately during the reconstruction of tho finances of the association the Control Board was forced into a financial obligation to the chairman. In my op lion he was ill-advwed upon the whole matter and threatened extreme financial complications if the opposition to the proposal was supported. The position was further aggravated by his p acing before the meeting a very legally-worded pledge, a copy of which I regret I was unable to obtain. This pledge demanded that members would support any proposal brought down by the chairman, and to this he asked all members to attach their signature. I could not continue to 1)0 of service to the code on the Control Board under such circumstances, and tor this reason I resigned my sent. Should any club or member of the association wrish any further information I am willing to 'attend meetings or answer any personal inquiries."

GRADE GAMES. SENIOR RESERVE. OnehuuKa 1, drew wilh Thistle 1. Tramurewa 7. beat Glen lunes 1. North Shore 2, drew with Ponsonby 2. SECOND GRADE. Burnley 4. beat Papatoetoe 1. Metro-College 2, boat Mount Albert Gram mar 0.8. 1. Abel's 8, beat Comrades A 1. Belmorit ;;. beat Henderson 1. Comrades B 7, beat Tamaki 4.

THIRD INTERMEDIATE. Belmont 4, beat Tamaki 0. Comrades 4, beat W.y.M.I. 0. FOURTH GRADE. V.M.C.A. A 2 beat T.M.C.A. B 0. Metro-College A 4, bent Mount Albert Grammar 0.8. 0. Metro-College B 7, beat Papatoetoe 0. Belmont 1, drew with Burnley 1. FIFTH GRADE. Technical College 0.8. 1, drew with Metro-College 1. Tamaki 4, beat Abel's 0. Tamaki B 3, beat Y.M.C.A. C 1. Belmont 3, beat Y.M.C.A. B 0. Y.M.C.A. A 1. beat Comrades A 0. Comrades C 7, beat St. Joliu's 0. SIXTH GRADE. Y.M.C.A. 3, bent Thistle 2. Belmont 0, drew witli Onehimga A 0. Tamaki 2, beat Comrades B 0. Y.M.C.A. C 1, beat Onelmnga B 0. SEVENTH GRADE. Y.M.C.A. B 1, drew with Tamaki A 1. Y.M.C.A. A 2, beat Comrades A 0. Y.M.C.A. C 0, drew with Tamaki B 0. Comrades B 3. beat Comrades C 0. SECONDARY SCHOOLS. SENIOR GRADE. Mount Albert Grammar A 7, beat Mount Albert Grammar B 2. Auckland Grammar 2, beat Takapuna Grammar 1. ' INTERMEDIATE GRADE. Auckland Grammar 2, beat Technical College 1. Mount Albert Grammar A 4, beat Mount Albert Grammar B 0. JUNIOR GRADE. Mount Albert Grammar A 3, beat Sacred Hoiirt College 3. Kowhai Junior High School u, beat Mount Albert Grammar B 0.