SOCCER TITLE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 157, 5 July 1937, Page 14

SOCCER TITLE.

SENIOR GAMES.

THISTLE KEEP LEAD.

THREE STRENUOUS CONTESTS.

Resuming after four weeks' respite, the Soccer senior competition on Saturday provided three closely contested games, with the results going pretty much as was expected. Thistle kept their place at the top of the table by defeating Abels 3 —l, and Ponsonby maintained second place by a three-goal victory over Comrades. Mount Albert Grammar Old Boys were severely extended at Devonport and were considered somewhat fortunate to take full points from Shore by the only goal scored. • How the teams stand: — Points Ch. P. W. L. D. F. A. Pts Thistle 7 <! 1 - 31 ]<> \-j. I'onsonby 7 5 2 - 20 "0 10 Mt. Albert ... 7 3 3 1 17 21 7 Comrades .... 7 3 4 - 27 30 0 Abels 7 2 5 - 23 34 4 North Shore .. 7 1 5 1 17 20 3 PONSONBY'S SPURT. After a pointless first spell, a sudden burst of scoring by I'onsonby in the second half which netted three quick goals proved the undoing of Comrades' dogged defence, and it was nut till mar time when Ponsonby Were a man short that Comrades found the net, and went dowi#«hy 4 goals to 1 after a lively encounter. The ground was heavy, but not so bad as expected after the recent soaking. Comrades were without Hooton, with whom much sympathy was expressed over his tragic bereavement, while Ponies had Haggett still on the injured list. The first spell was a hard and dingdong go, with the defence on both sides smothering up too effectively for the attackers, although scoring chances were fired away by both sides, and an even battle was continuing when Ponsonby turned loose the unexpected spurt and the Farnnn-Mullane wing scored with both barrels in two minutes. The thrust was then switched to the right, where Blackie gave E. Ekmnn, a sitter, which promptly went into the net. In a loose scramble Chapmnn scored another and Comrades' hopes Were gone. They rought back gamely, and

Chapman was assisted to the side after a heavy collision. Nice work between Marvin and Carter yielded the greens' only goal. For the winners Smith was very safe in goal and was only beaten just on the call of time after clearing many hot attacks. Kiggnns and Williams were solid in breaking up the lively shock attacks of the Comrades' front. C. Kkman was sound in the pivotal position, while Blackie was the outstanding half ,on the field. Farnan showed a welcome recovery from his first Test injury, and was at his best in the •■■■•cond half, when he and Mullane broke down the -defence. Chapman worked hard in the centre, while E. Ekman and Dean were a useful right wing. Comrades, as usual, showed more in team work than in individual plav and were unlucky in not making the margin closer. Yearbury, Saunders and McKenna were staunch defenders, except for n brief spell, while the Frnncis brothers. Marvin and tarter combined well in the firing line where Carter was unlucky not to find the net on more than one occasion.

SHORE ODD GOAL DEPEAT,

The contest at Devonport between North Shore and Mount Albert Grammar was productive of a strenuously contested game but the rest for four Saturdays was evidenced by the fact that team work was mostly lacking. Neither side being able to settle down to combined work, and there was a lot of kick and rush plav in consequence. There was nothing between the teams on the day, and it was only Needham's individual effort that gave' Mount Albert their one-goal win. Gavan was in good form in goal for Mount Albert, and both Speed and Blockley played their best defensive games of the season. Horrocks was back in his old position of right-half and played an outstading game. Fiashm.tn was also right up to form, while Ward was nn efficient centre-half. The forwards all played well individually. Neeelhom and Jepson being about the best. Woodhail Woods and Noble worked hard, but with Indifferent success. Cameron was safe In Shore's goal, clearing effectively when pressed. West and Gerrnrd were a solid pair in the full-back lines, but the former seemed to move too leisurely at times when elefending. Corbet t was as heady as usual, and Sale and Cronan were solid in defence in the halfback line. The forwards got in some forceful play, hut lacked cohesion, while they were decidedly weak in front of goai. Stevenson worked hard in the centre, but Woolley and McOowan were outweigh! Ed hy the defence, though berth played plucky games. Woolley was unlucky with a couple of his drives for goal. Blackie was negneglected on the right wing, and did not get many opportunities. Sime made several nice runs on the opposite wing, but was up against a virile defence, which limited his scope considerably. Shore made a desperate attempt to even the score in the last few minutes, and some hectic play saw two of the players receiving atten : tion, but the Mount Albert defence was too solid to penetrate.

| THISTLE WIN AGAIN. Thistle continued their run of wins bf a three-to-one victory over Abels. The first half was mostly a series of tame exchanges and aimless kicking about, and neither citadel was much in peril until just before the interval sounded, when Angus nipped in and caught Birehn.ll by surprise. On starting up again Thistle put more life into their play, with Caisley and Angus finding the net twice in five minutes, but it was the only bright patch in a dull affair, and It appeared that players had lost form during the long rest from club matches. Thistle did not score again, but just on time Kay sent to the goal mouth and Hamilton ran. the bail' in for Abels' only point. The Thistle defence was very sound and the half-line good in both spoiling and attacking. Stone shone at full-back, while Morris was effective at centre-hnlf in checking Abels' inside men. The. front line suffered from Macfarlnne's nbsence. and Wood, who changed wings, was rarely in the picture. Clarke, at outside right, -.eemed bothered by surface conditions and' finished weakly. Angus appeared to be upset by being found offsids on several occasions through over-eagerness. Caisley ••'•as the most effective front-ranker in an •ni'mpressive quintet. Abels' defenders held Thistle- safely for most of the game, and G. Wright and Chnlmurs in the middle line were more not'- • able in defence than attack. Abels mis Macleny in the centre, where J. Wrig'.i: wns hnrdly nippy enough to negotiate crosses from Kay and Robinson. Kay must have reached nearly double figures In corner concessions, but never got near the net, and McCallum was out of luck again, with (roots to crossbar and upright.

CANTERBURY BEATS WELLINGTON.

VICTORIOUS BY FIVE GOALS. I (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, Saturday. . The Canterbury Association football team met Wellington to-day in fine weather. Both sets of forwards started attractively, and the first four minutes produced two goals. Almond paved the way for Can-, terbury, sending the ball across and aheafi" for Burnand, who had closed in, to score' at short range. j Immediately after Wellington thrust along the centre and Mcßae checked but failed to hold Leslie's smashing drive. Cawtheray and Browne stopped another Wellington raid, and once more Canterbury were on the attack. Out swung the ball to Burnand. The winger crossed smartly, and coming fast G. Smith took the ball in his stride and scored at point blank range, making three goals in six minutes. A right flank move brought Canterbury another goal. Over came the ball to Souter, who coolly beat two men inside two yards and tucked the ball away into the near corner of the net. Another goal to Canterbury was scored from an apparent offside position, but it was allowed by the referee, and then, after intervention by a linesman, was disallowed. Now Wellington took up the running, and Mcßae stopped cleverly a great ground shot from- Leslie, but when he ran out from goal to another attack Slwinkle had an empty net to score in. Hazel broke up a hectic melee in Wellington's goal area, hut just before the interval a close packed forward sortie let Almond in for a "soft" goal, that made the half-time score : Canterbury- 4 Wellington 2 Canterbury scored again when Souter's close-in drive skidded off a Wellington back. Canterbury had a firm grip on the piny, but the marksmanship had slumped. Wyntt coolly handled anything dangerous. However, a transfer to Almond saw the Wellington rearguard drawn, and a pass let Souter in for an easy goal. Leslie headed a Wellington attack, but his shot hit an upright, and James 'lrove the rebounding ball on the wrong side of the posts. Wellington nttacked, and the defence was caught napping, James scoring. In the last few minutes Canterbury swarmed over the Wellington area, and the Smith brothers each added a goal. The final score was :— Canterbury 8 I Wellington 3

ENGLAND WINS BY TWO GOALS

FIRST MATCH IX AUSTRALIA. SYDNEY. July 4. The English amateur Soccer team yesterday Ueteated New South Wales', 3—l, after au exciting game. lhe half-time score was o—o, but in the second half the New South Wales defence capitulated to the constant pressure from the visitin" forwards.

GRADE GAMES. SECOND DIVISION. Ponsonby 5, beat Thistle 1. Onehunga 5. beat Mount Albert 3 .Suburbs 5, beat Abels 0. Metro-College b, beat Philomel 3. THIRD DIVISION. Metro-College 13, beat Ponsonby 1. THIRD INTERMEDIATE. Grey Lynn 2, beat Mount Albert 1 Onekuugu A 2, beat Y.M.C.A. li o Metro-College 10, beat Pousouby 1. FOURTH GRADE. Mount Albert 4. beat Abels A 1 Metro-College 8, beat W. Y.M.I. 1 Comrades A 0, beat V.M.C.A. o. FIFTH GKADE. Onehunga 10. bent Comrades B 0 Shore li, beat Metro-College 4. V.M.C.A. Rivals 4, beat W.V.M.I. 0 % SIXTH GRAPE. Thistle 4, beat V.M.C.A. Rivals 0. Shore !», beat -Onehunga 0. Metro-College beat Suburbs by default, lhlstle 4, beat V.M.C.A. Rivals 0. SEVENTH GRADE. Y.M.C.A. Rovers 10, beat V.M.C.A. Rivals EIGHTH GRADE. Y.M.C.A. Rivals 0, drew with V.M.C.A. Rovers 0. Suburbs 10, beat V.M.C.A. Spurs 0. GAMES IN THE SOUTH. OTA GO. Northern 5, beat Mornington 3. Moagiel 4, beat Maori Hill 1. Seadiff 7. bent Technical Old Boys 3. High School Old Boys 4, beat RoslvnWakari 0. WELLINGTON. First Division A.—Sentoun 3. beat Technical 2; Waterside 7. beat Institute 1. First Division B.—Scottish Wanderers 0 beat • Lower Hutt 4 ; Korokoro 0, beat Wadestown 1.