SOCCER TITLE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 183, 5 August 1935, Page 13

SOCCER TITLE.

SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP.

PONSONBY'S FIRST DEFEAT.

SHORE UNTIED BEAT LEADERS

Ponsonby lost their unbeaten record on Saturday when Shore United took full points from them at Blandford Park after a keen and closely contested struggle in which the closing minutes were electric. In that vital period Ponsonby missed two glorious chances of equalising the scores and retired beaten by the odd goal in five. The result in the competition table is that Mount Albert Grammar Old Boys now take position at the top, one point ahead of Ponsonby, though they have played three games more. Shore come up to third position, with Thistle fourth. The Scots sull'ered defeat from Metro. College, 3—l, which was not expected, but Thistle were completely off form and seemed unable to do anything right. Mount Albeft Grammar took the full reward from their meeting with Comrades, winning 5 —2, while at St. Helier'e Bay Eastern Suburbs stopped the winning way that Y.M.C.A. had assumed to divide the points, one goal each.

. The position of the teams at the bottom of the table is now assuming some importance in view of the intention of the Control Board to create a tiret and second division next season. Two of the present eight clube will take part in this extended section of the senior grade, and at the moment Suburbs, Y.M. and Metro, would appear to be in the danger zone. The next three games will be vital to each and the struggle for points is likely to become a desperate one. The table is ae follows: — Goals. Ch P W. L. D. F. A. Pts. Mt. Albert 0.8. 13 8 4 1 40 32 17 Ponsonby 10 7 1 2 31 Iβ 16 North Shore .. 13 (> 4 3 31 25 15 Thistle 10 5 3 2 3122 12 Comrades lli 5 5 2 34 41 12 Metro. College .13 3 7 3 27 47 9 Y.M.C.A 12 2 (5 4 25 24 8 Eastern Suburbs 11 — « 5 29 41 0 / — RUGGED GAME AT MOUNT ALBERT. A somewhat disappointing display was witnessed at the Mount Albert Grammar School ground between Comrades and Mount Albert Grammar Old Boys. The raggodness of the play was really due to an end to end high wind and a lively sphere which made ball control indeed difficult But botli teams would have profited considerably if they had concentrated on short passing methods instead of long, high kicks, which proved fatal under such conditions. An unusual feature or the pame, for which Jppson and Fyvie may be deemed mainly responsible, was that Mount Albert registered more goals against the wind than when playing with it. Warren, the Grammar 'keeper, had a comparatively quiet time between the posts and was not tested to any extent. Taking full advantage of the favourable wind in the iirst spell, his long clearances frequently turned defence into surprise attack. A capable pair of backs, Shaw and Holdsworth, combined well together, the former particularly showing clever anticipation in frequently intercepting opposing wing passes. Whereas the greens' middle line found difficulty in adapting themselves to the conditions, Mount Albert's trio, with Horrocks outstanding, gave more thought to positional play in both attack and defence. Little weakness could be found in Mount Albert's vanguard except for occasional weak finishing. Showing perfect understanding, .lopson and Fyvie were always dangerous and, combining with Woods on t)i'-. left, made a very difficult trio for Comrades' defence to handle. Though lacking the agility of his younger associates, Spencer was dependable und made many openings for his forwards. In the absence of Batty, Ycarbury acquitted himself quite well in goal for Comrades. Though showing a little hesitancy at times he was responsible lor some brilliant saves when under pressure. Though Saundera proved the more reliable of the two backs, McKenzle was quicker on recovery. A little more attention to 1 positional play should improve Comrades' defence considerably, as frequently Jepson found a gap down the centre, which he was not slow to take advantage of. The centre-half, Ilooton, was a tower of strength, but was calle/1 upon to do more than his share. The wing halves adopted the policy of defensive play, and were seldom favourably placed to send tlLeir forwards away or to support them in attack. With only a two-goal deficit aud a strong wind in their favour, Comrades should have jnado. things unpleasant for the home team in the second spell, but the absence of the middle line support lost them many,opportunities. Evans and Hayward had an off day, the hitter's shooting being very erratic. The. pick of the for- ■ ward line was Francis, who played a halfback game and was Instrumental in initiating some strong attacks. Well fed with the sphere, Carter succeeded in crossing some accurate centrivs. His free kick, which scored direct, was a beautiful shot. i .

THISTLE FAR BELOW FORM. The game between Metro-College and Thistle proved a closely- contested encounter. Thistle fielded a reconstructed team, Reid, Constable and Wright being absentees. Thistle's constructive piny suffered from the changes, and their display was far below their usual standard. Metro, however, deserve credit for their win ; their (logged defence and their ability to take advantage of the scoring opportunities that came their way, fully entitled them to the victory. Gerrard gave a sound display in Thistle's goal, while Williams and Kodgers proved a solid pair of full-backs. The half-bark line did not function too well, for while their defence was solid they, did not link up with the front line as well as they might have done. Watson got through a lot of work in the centre position, and was the best of the line. Polwyn and Kean were far from being failures. Tlip front line, lacking their usuaJ support, did not. function as well as usual, and were surprisingly weak in front of goal, several shots that are usually goals for Thistle going very wide of the mark. Williamson was not as effective as usual in the centre, while Dunsmore, too, was disappointing. Kuy worked hard without much success, as did Woods on the right wing. Angus played one of his best games this season, getting in some nice constructive play that was not taken advantage of. Gavan gave one of his best displays this season in Metro's goal, bringing off some brilliant saves. " Speed and Holman proved sound defenders, their play being firstclass, while their clearing kicks were nicely placed. Cronan gave an outstanding display at centre half, being first-class in all departments of the game. Metro now seem to have solved the problem of centre half that bothered them earlier in the season C. FJyger and J. Dallimore gave Cronan every support. It was the former's best game this season. The forward line, ablv led by deal, played with dash and cohesion, Williams showing up with some clever constructive play. H. Dallimore and McDougall played well on the respective wings, the latter putting across some good centres. A. Flyger played a solid S tt° e L WM prominent in maQ y of the