SOCCER REVIEW.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 136, 12 June 1933, Page 11

SOCCER REVIEW.

SATURDAY'S CONTESTS.

TWO GAMES RESULT IN DRAWS,

PONSONBY, THISTLE AND ABELS WIN".

There were several closely-contested games in the senior grade on Saturday and two of the matches were drawn. Thistle pulled oil a one-goal victory against Y.M.C.A., and Abels succeeded in taking points from New Lynn by the same margin, while Ponsonby was the only side to carry the day by anything like a convincing margin. The results of the games . were as follow:— Onehunga 4, drew with Comrades 4. Shore United 2, drew with Tramways 2. Thistle 3, beat Y.M.C.A. 2. Abels 2, beat New Lynn 1. Ponsonby 3, beat Glen Innes 0. The positions of the clubs are shown in the following tabic: — Goals. Cli. r. W. L. D. l'\ A. Pts. Tramwavs ..... fi X — 2 13 7 8 North Shore ..5311 1-1 S 7 X'onsonby .... 5 2 — 3 14 10 7 .Thistle 5 3 1 1 10 11 7' Y.M.C.A 5 2 2 1 14 31 5 Onehunga ..... 5 1 1 3 14 11 ,5 Comrades 5 11 3 15 14 5 Glen Innes .... 5 1 3 1 12 15 3 Abels .... 5 1 3 1 10 21 3 New Lynn .... 5 — 5 — 4 18 — THISTLE AND Y.M. FIGHT HARD FOR POINTS. The match between Thistle and Y.M. was a dour, determined struggle for mastery all the way, an<l Thistle's victory was the reward of team work and combination. Y.M. still play their characteristic game of vigorous rushes with fast following up, but so far their young players have not assimilated constructive play and what It means. There is, however, ample promise. On Saturday it was noticed that the inside men were dribbling more than they have been doing in the past. While this is a sign of increasing confidence, the fault with the Y.M. players seems to be not knowing when it is time to part with the ball. Mnrarie and Pearson seem to be developing, but they must part with the ball when they have drawn their man. Chapman was again the outstanding defender for Y.M., and with Cowie repeatedly saved his side. Farquharson seems to bo misplaced, for it Is noticeable that ho invariably takes the ball with his right foot, and is playing left back. To do so he plays extremely wide, leaving much too great a passageway for the opposing attack. There Is nothing lacking on the Y.M. side regarding wholehearted effort, but constructive play is the dcfcct. Thistle team -work was very pronounced on Saturday, and this was what took the sting out of the vigorous play of thoir opponents. McCosh and Ritchie, the latter a Thistle back of several seasons ago, who has returned to the city, worked in harmony with the half-backs, and the forwards also gave an impressive display of combination. There was no outstanding individual player, though probably Hislop and Dunsmore were at the back of the effectiveness of the front rank. The halfbacks kept their places accurately, and their forwards were always to be found in their proper places. Wiseman gave a promising display at centre-forward, being of much more service than many tried in the same place by the Scots. Galloway is an improved player, and Woods was always aggressive and dangerous when near goal. Taken altogether Thistle's game was a studied, orderly and seemingly carefully planned affair.

NEW LYNN LACK FINISHING,

There was not anything very attractive about the meeting of Abel's and New Lynn, In fact, the game was disappointingly tame after some of the early games of late on Blandford Park. Both sides seemed subdued and there was an absence of combined play or finished football. Abel's won mostly because New Lynn did not take the chances that were given them, and also because the winners had slightly tho better forward line. But It was poor football. Cameron, the Abel's custodian, was probably the most outstanding player on tlic day; some of his saves were spectacular and sure. There appeared to be too much careless kicking on both sides, and it was seldom that the forwards got the ball in a good position. Morris, late of Shore United, and Howlett were tlie backs for Abel's, and they punted strong as a rule, but showed little sign of combination. In (he middle line for tlie winners, Chalmers at right-half was useful, tackling with cffect and sometimes placing to advantage. Jaffray was only fair though Mooney seldom allowed his opponents much scope. The Abel's attack did not reach expectations with men like McLcay, Gill and Ansteed in the line. Owens and Hunter on the right worked mostly as individuals. Bu they had not the backing that tliey should have had. Morris was not very confident in tho New Lynn goal, and but for Peter Kay. left back, and Jones, at centre-half, the New Lynn defence was very ordinary. Hamilton in tho forwards, got through a great amount of work, both defensive and offensive, and was the best forward seen. Clarke in the centre-forward position was nothing like the player he Is in Navy games. The whole side lacked cohesion, and was also weak in position play.

HARD TUSSLE AT ONEHUNGA.

Eight goals at Onehunga between Comr«ides and tho locals tells of a game was contested every micnte. and in which the teams were very evenly matched. Onehunga weakness lay in their forwards, and this was accentuated after Scott bad to leave the field following an injury. F. Zuill could not he held responsible for the goals scored against him, and Blockley and Alexander were safe at back. Clarke at righthalf was the greatest disappointment of the match in view of some of his displays for the Navy against Auckland, but Woodhall rose to the occasion against the redoubtable Skinner, and held him all the game. It was a disastrous day for the Manukau vanguard when it came to finishing. Comrades gave a bright display at times, but their game was inclined to be uneven. I age was somewhat insecure under pressure, and the backs were weak iu positional play, but the middle line gave a solid accbunt ot themselves with Hooton prominent owing to the manner in which lie distributed the ball. The forwards played with dash and determination, with Skinner trying hard to pull his weight, ably assisted by Young. Wright gave his wing man every chance, and Francis and Evans made a useful rightwing. Comrades' positional play is most iu need of attention.

RONSONBY LEAVE NOTHING TO CHANCE.

There was a general superiority in the game' of Ponsonby against Glen Innes, mainly in the play of (he forwards, who showed clcvcr understanding. Jepson again showed ability as a leader, and judiciously fed his wings, never forgetting to take a chance on his own when that seemed be_st. The defence was sound, and all played with conviction and vigour. Masters was unfortunate to sustain a dislocated shoulder after plaving a line game, but in his absence the rear division held the opposition successfully-. Glen Innes were without Glftlster and Hitchin, but found the Ponsonby backs too strong and methodical. Tho St. Ilelinr s men played with theii usual dash and gameuess, and threw all Hioir enerpfv agaijist tlie visiting back?, but their efforts would have been much more difficult to repulse had they been founded on cohesive work. Tho half-hacks were inclined to kick ovcrsfrong and placing was at a discount, which gave the opposition much assistance. Nevertheless no chances of a shot at goal were allowed to go abe""ing. H. Stone, Gay aud Clarke did well for the losers, though Warren bad little chance with the goals registered against him.

SKIPPER'S FORLORN HOPE,

When two sixlb grade teams were about to take the field on Saturday Glen Innes had eleven men and North Shore only five. As the latter was fielding its third team (C) for the first time, the captain decided not to default, nor would be accept tlie offer of the Glen Innes captain to reduce his men to an equivalent number, stating that perhaps more players would turn up (although it was then half an hour after time). SJhore picked up two more players subsequently, one .hiving played seventh grade earlier. At halttime the Glen Innes skipper again pressed Ills opponents to play on equal terms, lint Shore continued with seven men, and bad the satisfaction of seeing tlie seventh grade boy score a Cue goal (Glen luncs won 7 —l),

STRENUOUS GAME AX SHORE. The game between Trains and North Shore United was one of I lie hardest 'of the season, and Trams ( after being two goals down lor the greater part of the game, evened the scores In the last ten minutes. Shore were unlucky in losing their centre half, Chapman, just before half-time. He resumed after the interval, but was ordered off by the ambulance, with the .referee's consent, alter playing for a lew minutes. A draw fairiy' represents tne run of the play throughout. Tlie game was most exciting at times and a fast pace was maintained Horn start to niiisli. A. Smith ga\e a brilliant display oi goal Keeping for Snore and was uuiortunate in missing the soot which lost victol-y to nis slue, lluie and jl. bmitu played solidiy at lull-back, the lormer giving las best uisplay tuis season. The hall line snowed improved form, Cnapii.an playing a good game'until he retired. Cliubu aiso played well, aud when suiiteil to centre jiroved Uli able substitute for Chapman. .Wilkes gave a sound display in ail uepartments, nis delensive* and attacking work being" of a standard. The lorward line played.witji plenty .of individual Hash but only at times was ally (Aectlve conibrhed worK revealed. Witu combination the line would be much -more lormuialjle as the ball control aud speed are mere. McClusky was more subuueii tnan usual, the opx>osing defeuee marking him well. Moore and Walters were an euective right wing, tne latter playing well wuen covering the rigut half posiuou when his team was one man short. . Jorrim played a good game ou tne left wing, while T. Smith (inside left) showed muea improved lorrn and got in some good work. Uatty, in goal for Trams, did not seem to settie down in the opening stagps, but played up to his best form later on. Tinkler and Simpson got through a strenuous afternoon's work in good style, their deicnsive work being a feature of their play. Joues at centre naif was effective, getting in some good ■ constructive play, but the pace was a bit fast lor him. 1 Spong aud u'ylie have played better games, but tlie Hnore forwards were a hot hUindful to hold. The front line played a steady game, soue of the combined work being very good, but n weakness in front of goal was apparent, some of the shots lacking sting, while others went over the top. Spencer, Williams and McMillan were the bet,t of the line, Ciimmings , being weak on the right wing, while Donaldson was only fair 011 the left. '