SHORE DEFINITELY ON TOP.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 135, 10 June 1935, Page 12

SHORE DEFINITELY ON TOP.

I What pro red to be a fast and. interesting, encounter was witnessed at Victoria Park between' North Shore and Y.M.C.A. A strong high wind was Instrumental in upsetting play somewhat, but nevertheless some quite good football was produced. Shore were definitely on top, but had. the advantage of wind and sun in the first Bpell, which they turned to good account. Y.M.'s defence had an extremely trying time in the first half, Shore launching literally dozens of onslaughts. But for brilliant- goalkeeping by Smith, ably supported by Mowat and Dobson, the score must have indeed been more than 4 to 0 at the change over. McClusky.was responsible for some beautiful shots, Ida drives coming from 'all angles with plpnty of sting behind them. Exchanges became more even when the teams changed over with, the pacp slackening a little. End to end play was ■now the order, each goal receiving visits in turn with Cowie.. having the easier time through lack of thrust in Y.M. vanguard. Some of Cowie's long clearances were phenomenal, wlththe result that quite often per the medium of one "hefty" kick defence was suddenly turned into attack. Gerrard played his usual faultless game with Eckman also showing up to advantage. James excelled at keeping the ball at the toe of his forwards, and Walters proved a tower of strength, but Archer was not quite so reliable, his placing being faulty at times. A good deal of work was thrust upon the outside right, Scott, out he came out with colours flying and was responsible for some beautiful centres. Blackle elected to play a roving game, which would not have been necessary if Archer had been a little more: reliable, and instituted some good openings for ■ MeClusky. . The pivot was the outstanding forward of the day. With his robust methods and a remarkable turn of speed he was a difficult man to Pmnrk. If he Would only part with the ball a little sooner on occasion,' and check a bnd habit of over-eagerness, he would produce that polish and finish so necessary to a centrp-forward. Stevenson and Hitchens ■ combined well on the left, but some good chances were thrown away by thn latter through overrunning the ball. Smith had a most difficult time between the "sticks" for Y.M.C.A., but was safe, the shots that passed him being absolutely unsaveablo. Mownt.and Dobson withstood tho pressure surprisingly well, but some of flie former's clearances were just a little on tho wenk side. Y.M. middle line proved to be the weak link of the team. The centre, Ross, hnfl good intr-ntions. but much of his hard work was minified through wandering too much. Ipnving a gap down the centre. A little more experience in positlonnl piny will Improve Sims. Once again Y.M. forwar.ls lnckpd thrust, and combination wns noticeable by its absence. Chapman, the only man tohow any initiative'afall. wns ,, doing the work of two inr>n,rm -Muranc, fion. the rl«ht- >( fri,<iefl out .iwrtJ.V- ..The..remaining rorwnrrts (lid not snow un at nil, some very -wild VUrkVwr poni'iiK from tli" Wf. ; However, lt-wasan-excellent game conslder- > *tiie Qu&nuit conditions • prevailing.