CHATHAM CUP SOCCER.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 190, 14 August 1933, Page 14

CHATHAM CUP SOCCER.

PONSONBY FOR FINAL WELLINGTON WATERSIDERS BEATEN. STRENUOUSLY CONTESTED .' ENCOUNTER. Once again Ponsonby lias reached the final round of the Chatham Cup competition, and will meet Millerton, West. Coast (South. Island), team in the deciding game in Wellington on Saturday week. In 1927 Ponsonby won the honour of the Dominion championship, and after their victory over the Wellington champions on Saturday they are facing the next game with confidence. The match on Saturday was strenuously fought out, and Ponsonby's victory by three goals was a popular result, though the Wellington side hardly deserved a reverse of this extent on the run of the play. However, they were first to extent their congratulations to.the winners, and to wish them luck in the final tie.

Characteristic of cup tie Soccer, there was not a great deal of high, class football ehown, and taking the game right through the movements of the visiting vanguard were a shade more cohesive and balanced than were Ponsonby's. But the local m?n were ever anxious near their opponents' goal, and the three points they registered were of the opportunist order,' and on that score ____» well deserved. Wat-

son, in goal, played a very sound game for the winners. He had numerous verydaring -clearances, and with a player opposite him of the calibre of McLeod, of ' Water'siders, fearless! eaVing was of the' f utmost value./ But; Watson • never flinched, even Hin the face of on- ■ ViTi rushing sopponents, ■ '' and he rushed out .where many 'other keepers would have hesitated. In front of him Haggett and Stewart ; were at their best. The former again enhanced his reputation by an outstanding display of reliable and energetic defensive work. He never allowed the visiting forwards to settle down, and his instant recovery, along with his lengthy clearances, were features of the game that stood out. Stewart also proved a stumbling block to the southerners. His tackling was deadly, and he seldom wasted a ball. In the middle line Grant was off form, largely due to indisposition, but he played pluckily throughout, though not with his usual zest. J. Morrison, as an "occasional" player this season, kept up with the fast pace surprisingly well, while Masters, at left half, held a firm grip on a wing that was obviously a source of great danger.

In the forwards Innes and Jepson were responsible for the scoring, and two of the goals were the result of clever shooting from difficult angles. The line as a whole, however, did 'not work so well as it has done this season. The importance of the occasion may have been responsible for this. Ahem was always up with the play, and was well fed by Innea and Jepson, as also by J. l Morrison, while Innes was. again responsible- for a very forceful,: dashing game characterised by rare discretion; in _ parting with the ball. Jepson kept to his place in the line, ~t and j. was always ready to make the most of -, an opening. His •second goal- -was very cleverly'taken after manoeuvring for position. A. ■Morrison did a tremendous amount of work at inside left. In fact there .were times ' when" one felt 'that-.;, he wandered from his place, but when he was out of position he was doing useful work, and he was obviously actuated by a determination to' do his best to secure .a win. . But no man can be in two places at once, and it is very questionable if Morrison rendered the best service to his partner, and therefore to the attack, by endeavouring to do so much. Forman. should try to take the ball on the' run. He seems awkward in taking a pass, and has to turn his hack on to the field to gather the ball. This repeatedly lost him ground and held the line up. There was, however, improvement in his centres, and he lacked nothing in the way ot energy and dash. Ponsonby bustled through ■ the match gamely, but not so impressively as in 6ome of their earlier triumphs this season. Nevertheless, they are still an undefeated team. Wellington Work Hard. There was no slackness in the visiting side, all the members playing: with ability. Shipp, in goal, had no chance with the goals registered against-.-him. Strangely enough, he was not so severely tested as Watson was throughout the match. Abernethy and Guest,, the backs faltered at times under close pressure, and Ponsonby —| erred in not adopting "a game that took them to closer quarters with the last line of defence. Longbottom was a tower of strength at centre half, his breaking up being a feature of his play. He made full use of his height and length of limb, tackled with deadly effect, and used his head well, but he did not always place to the best effect; in fact, his parting kicks were sometimes without direction.. Nevertheless, he proved a thorn in the side of the Ponsonby vanguard throughout the match. McLellamd, on the right, and White, on the left, gave valuable support, at times showing speed and fitness in their game, acting as forwards as well as defenders. Clever Combination Of Right.Wing. Baistow and Dunsmuhv on the right wing, are a clever combination. Their footwork was to watch, and their whole game showed understanding and effectiveness/VEpecially in .the first half, they were .the -most prominent' wing on the ground, and their passing runs down the line were admired and applauded by all. They were'not 60 successful after the local men had settled down, which seemed to take longer than usual. McLeod is a dangerous opponent. "His vigour and determination were at times more pronounced than his care in gathering the ball and controlling . it, but his style has «ah upsetting effect - .on any-oppposition. ''Ponsonby backs re- ' peatedly had to .'crowd round him to | sstpp'his rushes; and * he] was always • quick to. tackle,,the gaol-keeper, and mostly always in a I legitimate manner. He did not pay a great deal of* atten- ■. t'on to the position of. his wings before he passed out: in ~.'•; .fact .all! the Wel--1 hgton game pivot lon McLeod, liho played the part of the spearhead of the team's thrusting movements. Patterson, at inside 'left>«' played a ~ : strenuous game, while Upchurch, on the extreme flank, if i.noti so,> conspicuous-as -hk cltib mates .oi-ithecother;. .whig,,.,was;,by/^no

means: a passenger. He was not played to afe'tho other flank was. Th£ team left the impression of being hard cup tie fighters, and the match was played in a very commendable sporting 6pirit.