SOCCER CODE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 235, 4 October 1937, Page 15

SOCCER CODE.

NAVY CUP FINAL. ACHILLES DEFEATS LEANDER. AUCKLAND-CANTERBURY DRAW. A large attendance at Blandford Park on Saturday testified to the popularity of Navy Soccer, the final of the Horne Cup, between Achilles and Leander being the attraction. The result was a surprise and overwhelming victory for Achilles. At Christchurch the Auckland representatives put up a very plucky display against Canterbury for the F.A. trophy, making a draw*, 3-all, and staging a hurricane finish that just missed victory. LOWER GRADES. DACRE CDP SEMI-FINAL. In the seml-flnnl of the Dacre Cup contest played on Saturday, Y.M.C.A. deftated North Shore by 2 goals to 1. Y.M.C.A. will meet Eastern Suburbs in the final next Saturday. In the third division knock-out final. Training College easily defeated MetroCollege by 5 goals to 2. Comrades defeated Y.M.C.A. in the semifinal of the fourth grade knock-out by 3 goals to 0. NAVY CUP FINAL. The Achilles v. Leander contest was a typical Navy game in the opening stages, a tremendous pace being set for a start, the play fluctuating from goal to goal in exchanges of the liveliest nature, but three quick goals by the Achilles Beenied to demoralise the opposition somewhat, and they lost their grip of the game. The Achilles side improved as the game progressed, the forward line functioning like a well oiled machine, and were well supported by their backs, whose solidity and weight proved too much for the Leander front rankers. Whltehouse was as good as usual in the Achilles goal, but did not gei. a great deal to do. Watts and Wakefield proved a solid pair of full-backs, and Lund was right on his game at centre-half. Brlce and Stephens were also in good form. The forward line was outstanding, every man pulling his weight, with Cotterell, Brown and Lindford amongst the goals, Brown getting the hat trick and Lindford a brace. Seir and Chatten were also right up to form. The Achilles display can be counted as one of the best displays given by a Navy team at Blandford Park.

The Leander team started out well, but gradually faded from the picture. They lacked the team work and positional play of their opponents, and were too easily robbed of the ball. It was quite evident thot they ore capable of a much better display. Yeoman in their goal showed that he is a keeper of class, giving an outstanding display, clearing brilliantly and going down on the ball In fearless style. McKensle and Lincoln got through a gruelling afternoon at fullback in good style, while Kennett nnd Robinson also worked hard to avert defeat. The front line did not function too well after the opening stages, being disjointed and lacking cohesion. Parslow and Massey were the best, endeavouring to open the game and set the line moving, but they met with poor support.