THISTLE AND GRAMMAR DRAW.

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

THISTLE AND GRAMMAR DRAW.

Only a penalty, from which Angus scored, saved Thistle from defeat at the hands of Mount Albert Grammar (Jid Boys in a fast and interesting game at Fowlds Park on Saturday. After Thistle had built up a lead of -2—U in the first half, Grammar, with the sun and wind behind tlhem, scored 3 goals in the second half, but the penalty put both teams on even terms, 3 ali, at the final whistle. Giving one of the best exhibitions of the season, Warren, in Mount Albert's goal, brought off some brilliant saves, especially in the first half, when lie was "under fire" almost continuously. Ward was the better of the full-backs, playing a hard game throughout. In fact, he rather overdid it, earning the referee's displeasure for late and too-hard tackling. While his team was definitely on the defensive, lloldsworth at centre half played a thoroughly sound game, but he was 'sometimes taken at a loss, when Grammar attacks broke down, and Thistle swiftly counter-attacked. Turlcy and Macfarlane, at either side of him, hacked up the forwards well, shrewdly changing (lie direction of the play with cross passes. The forwards were well led by Jepson. On the left Fyvie and J. M. Woods combined well, and the former essayed some solo efforts that were well worth watching. Needham and .r. B. Wood, on the other fiank, were also well paired.

Although ho was rather eellpsed by Warren at the other eucl of the iickl, Watson, in Thistle's goal, played n very sound game. Mot having to contend with such deadly shooting as did Warren at times, his work was not so brilliant to watch. The full-backs, Stone and Williams, maintained a stubborn defence, the former's long, well-placed clearances saving the day on several occasions. The halves did not back up their forwards as well as Grammar's did. Kay and Kean, on the left flank, worked well together. Angus was too well marked to be able to take advantage of their centring passes, and both essayed many shots themselves.