SOCCER

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 164, 14 July 1941, Page 4

SOCCER

Thistle Still Unbeaten.-Ponsouby set Thistle a hard task in the main game at Blandlord Park to retain its unbeaten record. After a very solid game, in which some good football was witnessed, Thistle, the leaders in the championship, eventually won by the odd goal in thrse. Morris was making his first appearance for Thistle this season, and played a i,ood game at inside right instead of his usual petition at centre half. Woods and Angus combined well in the Thistle front line, wifh each player scoring a goal. Constable was in excellent form at centre half and broke up several promising Ponsonby attacks. Davie was the better back on the day's play and made one brilliant, save when he dashed across to rob Brackenridge, who had only the goalie t'o beat. Cocker was safe in Thistle's citadel, and effected some brilliant clearances when hard pressed For the losing side Brackenridge scored its only goal and led the forwards in good style—'he was well supported by Dow lev and Chapman, whilst Callaghan made eeverar good dashes down the left wing to put over some nice centres. Rouse player! an outstanding game at left half and Haggett got through a lot of solid work in the centre position.

Four Goals To Welch.— K. Welch, Suburbs centre forward, maintained his consistency by scoring four of his side's six goals against Air Force. Although the latter had mos-t of the play, Suburhs exploiting, spoiling tactics, finishing oft with fast individual dashes, at which Welch and his 'wingers, Ritchie and Gilbert, shone. Cowie, in goal, gave a polished exhibition, as did Lorenxon at the other end. Bol'h sets of full-backs produced good football, while Archer (Suburbs) was the best of the half-backs. He was always prominent in spoiling the efforts of C'aisley, Ellis and Williams, at the tame time distributing his passes evenly. Wallers, on the Air Force left wing, was the fastest' man on the field, but vach of his good runs were spoilt by a clever defence. Besides Welch's four goals, Collins and Ritchie scored for the winners, while Williams (2) and Ellis goaled for the Air Force.

Hutchinson Again. — When Mount Albert defeated Metro-College by two goals to one H. Hutchinson, inside left, scored both goals for the winner. The previous week, against Air Force, he scored four out of his side's total of seven. Hutchinson get through a lot of work both on defence and attack, but his success on Saturday may be at'tri'buted. to the steady support of Irvine at inside right. Irvine featured in a brilliant solo effort on the right wing to present the ball to Hutchinson, fi.ee yards out from the goalmouth, for the la.tter to drive hard and secure Mount Albert's winning goal. An unusual incident in the game was the awarding or a free kick to Mount Albert against the Metro custodian, for a breach in wjrdtiig off an opposirp forward. The kick was taken less •than five yards from the net, but instead of shooting direct the Mount Albert player elected to pass it to one of his comrades and Metro secured possession to clear.

Abels Surprise Shore.— Abels gave North Shore a shock when they came out on the winning end of the odd goal in throe. The North Shore forwards were surprisingly weak in front of goal, and missed many chances. Abels did not impress, eitiher, in front of goal, hut were more dangerous on attack than their opponents. Birchall was a sound custodian for Abels, bringing off some good saves, under prossure. Rutherford, Kkman and Ridley were the best of the Abels backs, the former being outstanding in defensive work. Robinson, Bowmer and Blnk" were the beet of the forward line. For Shore Hayrock played soundly in go.il, and with Booth and Dan by proved the mainstay of the STiore defence. Richards. Price and Valentine shared the honours in the Shoic vanguard.

China One Up and Two To Play. - Winning the third Soccer Test at Sydney by 5 goals to 2, China has a lead of one game in the rubber over the Australian XI. The Chinese won the opening contest at Melbourne, 6—4, but lost the second the following week at Sydney. 4-2. The fourth and fifth Test* are .scheduled foi Newcastle and Brisbane.

Masters Scores Three For Comrades. Although Masters again proved himself a great opportunist by scoring three goal* for his side, he was inclined to lay offside too much and several promising Comrades attacks were spoiled by decisions against him. Fincham and Evans were the other scorers for the winners, Finchara's goal being the best of Che match. Rigg.ms and McKenna again proved themselves at back and broke up several promising Onehunrra attacks. The Onehunga side was a purely local one, the majority of the _ players having learned their Soccer with the club. Of the juniors Phillips, at centre half, a: id Sims and Boland. at back, were parfienla.rlv prominent whilst Brass. Lindsay and Bockley played well. For Onominia Brass scored' the first goal and Lindsay the second, after a good movement, in which all the forwards took part. An Unusual Incident.— After Comrades had registered its fifth goal late in the second half of the preliminarv game against Onehunga, at Blairlford Park, a large number of spectators were under the impression that Blockley. OiiMuinK.i's rierht half-back, had been "ordered off" for disputing the referee's decision. _Thi? was not the case, and Referee A. Kyle, when interviewed after the game, stnted that after Masters bad scored Comrade's fifth and final goal. Blockley asked the referee's permission to leave the field, without giving any reason for doing so. Jhe player's request was granted.