REP. SOCCER.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 226, 24 September 1934, Page 13

REP. SOCCER.

AUCKLAND'S TWO WINS. TARANAKI AND S. AUCKLAND. LOCAL PLAYERS NOT STRETCHED. The two senior games on Saturday between the Auckland A and B teams against. South Auckland and TaranaKi respectively resulted in somewhat easy victories lor the local players. 1 lie standard ot play was somewhat disappointin;.;, especially in tlie second game, when the \Vaikato men proved but poor opposition to the Aucklandcrs. 'liie so-called B team, composed of former primary school reps, who have now graduated to the senior division, beat a iarauaki side by two goals to nil, and the A team, composed mostly of the I l '.A. Trophy side, got the better of South Auckland by 7 goals to 1. The ground was hard and the ball fiery, but the greatest trouble to all the players seemed to lie in the unevenness of the playing area, judging by the tricks the bail was playing. Tlio Taranaki team was not at its fullest strength, which did' not allow a true estimate to be formed of the standard of play in the New Plymouth district. Neither the visitors nor the local side showed any signs of finished play, and there was no team work in either eleven. Seme of tlie Aucklanders were very disappointing, and a marked feature of the play of tlie homesters was the individual element in the team. The wingers seldom tried placing judiciously into the centre or tried long transferences when it was advantageous to divert the play to another portion of the field, while the middle line had no constructive ability. Probably it is a mistake to take the game too seriously, as it was obvious some of the players did not.

There seemed to be a certain amount of satisfaction in some quarters at the 11011succeiss of McClusky in the centre berth. Probably the Shore player has never played a poorer game. His display was in striking contrast to that given in his last club match, when he bagged four goals in the Falcon Cup game. Yet to condemn McClusky on Saturday's display would be to perpetuate a gross injustice. The player was given 110 support, he was not "fed'' as a centre lias the right to expect, and he was playing in a team that had never before been together and the majority of whom have not the Soccer knowledge and have not had the experience to adapt themselves to one another's play. McClusky is hardly likely to have another trial in an Auckland rep. team, and officialdom will no doubt .consider complacently that he has been fairly done by. Taranaki defence was well served by Millar in goal, Henderson- right back, McKay left, and Parkinson, centre-half. Coliingwood, at outside-right, had several bright touch-line runs and showed a strong, accurate shot, while Wilson at insido left had clever footwork and made many openings. But the finishing of the visiting side was not all that could be desired, and they obviously had not played together long enough to develop understanding. Johns, inside right, and Gardiner, centre, were hard workers, and Hill, 011 the left flank, sent over some nice crosses. The team as a whole worked willingly, though mostly individually. There was little concerted action. The South Auckland team was outplayed at every turn, and the six goals between the scores at the finish could, without much difficulty, have been increased. The Aucklanders showed football of a totally different class, the positional play, the distribution of the ball, the accuracy of passes and their general tactics being very outstanding. The game bccame somewhat tiresome ■ towards the finish, the disparity between the teams being so great. Yet the visitors played hard and willingly all the time, although being hopelessly outclassed. Allsopp brought off geveral fine saves in goal, though his task was a difficult one. Bassick, at right-half, and Ferrie, in the pivotal position, were probably the best of the defence. The forwards could make nothing of the Auckland defence, and they were entitled to some sympathy for the indifferent placing of the rear division. The Auckland players had a comparatively easy afternoon. All played together splendidly, and gave a pretty exhibition at times. The newcomcrs, Williams, Flasliman and Mullane, did quite well with the excellent support they received. MUKKO CUP. TROPHY FOR ONEHUNGA GROUP. In order to encourage the progress that has been made in the Soccer code in the Onehunga district this season, particularly in the school and lower grades, Mr. Leo Munro, a member of the control board of the A.F.A., on Saturday donated a handsome silver cup for annual competition in the lower grade of the Onehunga group. There is a prospect of several additional teams for next season, and the organisers at Onehunga have been greatly encouraged by the token of practical interest that Mr. Munro has shown. The conditions of competition will be drafted by Mr. J. C. Sibbin. GRADE GAMES. SECOND GRADE. DACRE CUP. Abels A 6, beat New Lynn 1. Thistle 3, beat Y.M.C.A. 2 (after extra time). FOURTH GRADE., Metro-College 2, beat Mount Albert Grammar Old Boys 0. SIXTH GRADE. KNOCK-OUT SEMI-FINAL. Shore United- B 3, drew with Comrades A 3 (after extra time). . Comrades B 4, beat Metro-College 2 (after extra time). JUNIOR REPS. Auckland (fifth grade) 5, beat South Auckland (intermediate) 1. PRIMARY SCHOOL REPS. Auckland Juniors 3, ueat Huntly 0. Auckland Seniors 2, beat Huntly 0. SECONDARY SCHOOLS. INTERMEDIATE. Auckland Grammar 2, beat Takapuna 1. JUNIOR. Mount Albert Grammar 3, beat Technical 1. GAMES IN THE SOUTH. CHRISTCHURCH. Thistle, 1, beat Rangers 0.