BRIGHT SOCCER.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 236, 5 October 1936, Page 13

BRIGHT SOCCER.

SATURDAY'S PLAY. COMRADES MISS RELEGATION. PHILOMEL WIN NAVY TROPHY. There were three senior first division games on Saturday, and the final of the Cole Cup, the Navy championship trophy, and some bright and cxciting Socccr was seen. In the Navy game Philomel defeated Achilles by the only goal scored, and the other match at Blandford Park, between Ponsonby and Shore United, which was a Falcon Cup and senior-championship game, provided a sensational recovery by Ponsonby in the second spell, after having been 4 goals down, but they just failed to catch up oil their opponents, who in the closing minutes made the verdict safe by adding a fifth goal to Ponsonby's 3. In a keen struggle to avoid relegation. Comrades defeated Metro-College at St. Helier's Bay by a clear margin of 3 goals, while Thistle and Mount Albert Grammar Old Boys fought a ding-dong struggle for championship points at Fowlds Park to divide the honours. PONIES' GALLANT STRUGGLE. The principal attraction at headquarters on Saturday was the combined championship ind Falcon Cup knock-out between Ponsonby and Shore United, and it is a long time since such a reversal o£ form lias been seen between the first, and second spells, in the first half, after the opening exchanges, (lie Shore side struck a rich scoring vein, when they could do nothing wrong, and rung on four good goals in about twenty minutes, while, the Ponies could do nothing right to check the sweeping combined movements wliich were finished off with irresistible thrust. The teams turned round with Shore four goals to nil, and Ponsonby apparently in a hopeless position. On resuming matters* were quiet for a periods Shore showing listless form and apparently content with the score, when Ponsoilby woke up and staged a wonderful recovery. Breaking the ice after a swift raid, and then securing a penalty goal, Ponsonby bombarded the Shore goal with repeated rushes, and, with a third goal in the net, looked like pulling the match out of the lire. It was only by desperate smothering up and crowding round the goal-mouth that Shore weathered the storm and prevented an equalising point; but, with luck somewhat with them, the challenge was withstood, and in the closing stages a swift counter-raid put Shore two ahead, and by five goals to three they put their old rivals out of the senior cup and also gained a hold on the top rung of the championship ladder for the first time this season. It was a thrilling game with its dramatic, changes, and both teams were warmly cheered in turn for showing some of the best club football seen /this season.

While Shore's goal collecting spell lasted in the first halt they showed some of the cleverest and most finished team work seen at Blandford Park in club games. The right wing was the effective flank, Stevenson and Carrick Blackie combining with perfect understanding, and changing positions with baffling swiftness, while Archer at centre excelled himself with a swift hat-trick which Smith had no hope of saving. The first goal was an aye-opener when C. Blackie promptly threw in from touch to Stevenson's toe for an overhead hook to Archer, who cut in and caught the pass on the full to net before Ponsonby were up in position to mark their men for the throw-in. The I'onsonby defence was weakened by Haggett taking a hard drive for goal on the point of the chin and dropping like a ninepin. The concussion affected him for the rest of the game, and wlieil lie changed with Jones at centre-lialf in the second spell he was still feeling the shock, and kept stumbling and falling about the paddock when ho should have been under medical observation, being mostly a passenger and taking a serious risk in continuing on the field, l'onsonby's reprisals in the opening spell lacked thrust, and Gerrard was usually a stumbling block, while the Shore half-line concentrated mostly ou attack, Corbett aild Frank Blackie feeding the right wing with* ideal passes.

When l'onics got busy with their lively counter-attacks in the second halt, a clever change of tactics saw Farnan playing deep at inside-left, where lie checked F. Blackie's work in feeding Shore's danger wing, and by sending long and accurate passes across to limes on the opposite extreme Farnan played on Shore's weaker defence, giving 1 nues a chance to feed Chapman in un advanced central position, %vhere lie repeated Archer's feat and was unlucky not to even the score. This strategy baffled the Shore defence for a time, and changed the aspect of play entirely. With a more effective centrehalf in the pivotal position the losers might easily have pulled the game out of the lire, but the shock attack spent itself, and the final goal to Shore was another neat thrust by the junior Blackie and Archer combination which went through to the net before the defence could recover. For the losers, in goal, Smith defended gallantly and desperately witli the backs in front of him somewhat shaky under high pressure. Sims was the best of the l'onics' middle line, and there was never much menace froiii Shore's flank, where Sime and Ekman seemed unable to settle down. Dan Jones had a lively opening spell against his old club mates, and dropped to full-back for the second half, where the younger Blackie continued to worry him, and Masters was icrude in his attempts to check Shore's right thrust. In the l'onics' van Innes came to light in the second spell with flashes of his old form as he tore down the line and centred with unfailing accuracy. Farnan also showed that lie has one of the best Soccer brains in the Dominion, and liis side's rally came largely from his initiative, with Chapman at his best with effective finishing touches. Gerrard was the same stire rock of defence for the winners and Cameron reliable in goal, but West was below form and caught out of position at times in the raids. The Shore half line was at its best ill the first spell, the veteran Corbett leading with his deliberate planning play, with F. Blackie and Walters backing him up in good style, but the latter was not so effective in defence as attack. Archer was the outstanding forward with four finished goals, which all showed smart anticipation and perfect placement to the net, while Stevenson and C. Blackie, made an ideal clever wing which opened the way to Shore's victory. As referee, C.P.O. Grierson, of the Achilles, kept perfect control of a hard and willing game without undue intervention. THE RELEGATION BOUT. In the game between Comrades, and Metro.-College, the former adapted themselves better Jo the conditions than their opponents and scored a clear-cut win l>y six goals to one. Territorially the play was about even, but the better team won and splendid combines efforts by the Comrades' front line, and their superior finishing in front of goal, made them worthy winners. The Metro- forward line brought off some good midfield play, hut wild shooting spoilt most of their work when near the goal, although they wore unlucky with two drives that hit the bar. The lialf-baek line could not hold the opposing forwards and Speed and Goodsoll at back/had a heavy afternoon in consequence. but they acquitted themselves well. Gavan had a busy time in goal, and played a good game, but he had 110 chance with the goals scored against him. being mostly short rnii=re shots after the defence was beaten. The half-back line did not function too. well, and would be better balanced with Cronan. will) was the best of the trio, in his usual place in the centre instead of on the right. The forwards were good in patches, but all had a day off when it came to scoring goals. Williams, a recruited junior, rdaved a useful game in the centre, while McCallum showed some clever constructive play. A. Flyger played his usual solid game. Burton being the most prominent of the wings. Dean did not get many chances to shine on the left. Grimmer, a fourth grade hoy. gave an outstanding display in the Comrades' goal, going down fearlessly to the opposing forwards, and clearing with the coolness of a veteran. Gilmouc and McKenna were a solid pair of full-backs, their defensive work being very effective. Hooten played one of his best games in the cenfre-hiif position, being well supported bv his colleagues, A. Hayward and Matthews, the latter, a promoted junior, making a particularly good showing. Wh'le all in the forward line did so well it is hard to individualise. M. Francis was iM-ominent for clever constructive play and A. Francis was a good spearhead on the attack. Fletcher gave solid support in the inside position. hunting and C. Hayward did all that was required of them on the wings, -nd were rewarded with a brace of goals dpiect.