BRIGHT SOCCER.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 104, 4 May 1936, Page 16

BRIGHT SOCCER.

SENIOR COMPETITION. THREE STIRRING GAMES. FAST PLAY IN WORST CONDITIONS. The 1936 Soccer season can be said to have come in like a lion. Saturday's conditions were of the worst description, yet, despite pelting hail and driving rain, players defied the elements and three fast and thrilling games were witnessed in the first division of the senior grade. The clash between Ponsonby and Mount Albert Grammar Old Boys set a high standard, which, if it can be maintained, should more than hold public interest. Seven goals were scored during the match and the race was neck and neck right to the finish. There was also a crop of goals in the Thistle-Comrades match, the Scots getting seven and their opponents three. At Devonport Metro-Oollege provided stiff opposition for Shore United, and though in the end the homesters carried the day, Metro were not without credit in a 3—2 defeat. SCORE FLATTERS THISTLE. Since it is not likely that either team will be called upon to play in worse weather than that prevailing on Saturday, both Thistle and Comrades should be well worth watching this season, for they played a fast and enterprising game, much more evenly contested than the score of 7 to 3 in favour of Thistle indicates. With the wind against them in the first half. Comrades were a long time settling down, Angus, Thistle's centre-forward, scoring two goals in quick succession. The attack came mostly from Thistle's right flank, where Wood and Williamson worked well together, as Ivay, at outside left, was too well marked to be very active. Towards the end of the first half, Comrades were beginning to press, and their forwards were frequently within close range of Thistle's goal. Carter, Marvin and C. Hayward were particularly active, but their chances were several times spoiled by off-side play, and the half-time score stood at 4 —l in favour of Thistle.

This mistake was better guarded against In the second half, when Comrades for n time kept Hunter busy, but Thistle's goalie made few mistakes, while Williams and Keid maintained a sound defence at fullback, the former being particularly clever in getting away with the ball out of close play in front of the goal. Angus was responsible for two of. Thistle's goals in the second half, scoring once himself and hitting the cross-bar with another shot, which Kay charged into the net as it rebounded. PROMISING DISPLAY AX SHORE. The match between Metro-College and North Shore was a promising display under the most wretched conditions. Heavy rain and hail fell at short intervals throughout the game and the ball control and general all-round work was absolutely surprising under the conditions. The game was fought out on even terms and the odd soal in five represented the play of the Shore front line for quite a period in the second spell, when 'they were dominating the game. Tile juniors tried out by both sides played with distinct promise. Gavan gave of his best in goal for Metro and brought off some remarkable saves witli the greasv ball. Speed showed that he has lost none of his dash that earned him representative honours last season, playing a sound and heady game. Holman has been seen to better advantage! but played well nevertheless. The half-backs were a good trio. Cronin in the centre played a constructive game and wa§ solid on defence. His goal was a beauty. C. Flyger and .Tones ably supported Cronin, their defensive work being ot a high order, while they assisted the front line well. Jones (a promoted junior) is a decided acquistion to senior ranke. The front line showed clever footwork and combination in the first spell, but faded out somewhat in the second spell. Cleal was going great guns In the first series, but seemed to be a • sick man in the final stages. A. Flyser played a solid game without being brilliant, while tlie same could be said of Dean. Costley and Burton played cleverly, bringing oft some very effective work on the left. Costley is another newcomer who should make good. _ Cameron in goal for Shore played a sound game, but is inclined to leave his charge too much. Gerrard played his usual solid game and retains his form in a remarkable manner. West (a promoted junior), who partnered Gerrard, made a good showing and will develop into a safe back with experience. The half-back line functioned well, Archer in the centre playing a good game, while James, and Walters revealed good form. The forward line did not settle down in the first spell, individual play predominating, but they made amends* in the second spasm with some nice combined work that gave the Metro defence a hectic time. Cowie in the centre made a good showing, distributing the play well, and with more dash will be quite a success in the> position. Stevenson was the outstanding player in the line, getting two good goals and showing resource in initiating attack and developing combined play. Ekman and Saxon on the left did not get many chances to shine, but played with energy. Moore (011 the right wing) got in some solid work and kept the defence busy.

DASHING GRAMMAR FORWARDS. Mount Albert Grammar can thank their forwards for their victory, and Ponsonby must lay the responsibility for their defeat on their vanguard. The winner's offensives were characterised by thrust, speed and cohesion, whereas, except for Innes on the right and Mullane on the left, Ponsonby had no spark of vigour and very little penetration in front. Ponsonby's defence was more reliable and resourceful than the rear division of the Old Boys, but the predominance of the Grammar attack was the deciding factor. All Grammar front line played splendidly, with Needham the shining light. He definitely played a match-winning role, being directly responsible for the two goals in the closing stages that decided the issue in his team's favour. Both goals were the outcome of solo efforts that were carried to a successful conclusion by sheer determination. While much of Needham'a success was due to personal ability, behind it also lay much clever tactical manoeuvring by Harry Spencer, who was the brains of the attack, and gave a very impressive performance,. Jepson, too, was in his best form, and kept his wings moving sweetly. Fyvie and Woods on the left worked into the scheme of things effectively. The middle line. Turley, Ward and Horrocks, were spoilers, but G. Holdsworth and McFarlane were very shaky at back. Warren, like Smith, had a difficult day with the wet ball.

Ponsonby defence found the opposition speedy and nippy on tlie ball. Huggitt and Chapman were best, Dobson at times clearing cleverly, but Masters and Sims on the flanks were not at their best. Bob Innes, like Spencer, can still show the younger players many points in the game, and on Saturday he was the one live wire in the attack. Many of his crosses, after cleverly working into position, went itbegging. His display was altogether bereft of any symptoms of the veteran stage. MacFarlane, ex-Y.M.C.A., was not up to form, and is capable of more useful service. Riggans notched two of the goals, one by a nice movement, but. at other times seemed slow to sense opportunities. Caisley, at inside left, obviously has not settled down to his new clubmates, and Mullane, though quite successful on the day, often crossed when it would have been more profitable to have kept possession and cut in. Ponsonby should improve, however, as the season advances.

A' " /' ; . AUSTRALIANS FOR N.Z,

N.S.W. WINS UNIQUE TRIAL. SYDNEY, May 3. With a view to selecting, a Soccer team to visit New Zealand, a match was played yesterday between New South Wales and two teams—a different Australian team playing each half. New South Wales won by 10 goals to 2 after leading 2—l at half-time. GAMES IN THE SOUTH. WELLINGTON. Hospital 7, beat Diamond 2. Swift 1,- beat Petone 0. Watersiders 2,. drew with Marist 2. Institute 3, beat Seatoun 2.

DUNEDIN. Vfaori Hill 3, beat Seacliff 0. I.S. OW Boys 5. beat Northern 1. ..loruington 5, beat Tecli. Old Boys 2, lit

RESULTS AT A GLANCE. NAVY CHALLENGE. Leith 4. bent Wellington 1. FIRST RESERVE. Shore 3, beat Metro College 0. Thistle 8, beat Comrades 0. SECOND DIVISION. Eastern Suburbs boat Maritima. Abels 5, beat Philomel 2. Y.M.C.A. o, beat New Lynn 1. SECOND RESERVE. Y.M.C.A. won by default from Eastern Suburbs. Onehunga 3, beat Abels 1. Ponsonby won from Thistle by default. THIRD GRADE. Y.M.C.A. 5, beat Shore 3. Training College drew with Mount Albert 2. Metro College 8, beat Onehunga 1. FOURTH GRADE. Y.M.C.A. 1, beat New Lynn 0. FIFTH GRADE. rfhore S, beat Metro College 2. SIXTH GRADE. Comrades won from Abels by default. Y.M.C.A. 10, beat W.Y.M.I. 0. Metro College won from Thistle by default. Thistle won from Northcotc by default.