SOCCER COMPETITION

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 100, 30 April 1945, Page 7

SOCCER COMPETITION

HOPE-EDB'S SIX GOALS An improved standard of play marked the second series of matches in the Auckland Football Association's first division elimination round on Saturday. In two high scores were recorded, R.N.Z.A.F. (Whenuapai) beating Watersiders by seven goals to two, and Philomel defeating Mount Albert Grammar Old Boys to the tune of eight goals to two.

Feature of the day was the performance of L. Hope-Ede, the former Auckland representative and Metro-College centre-forward, who, in addition to talcing the hat trick, collected six of Whenuapai's seven goals against Watersiders. The seventh goal went to Wilkinson, who last year registered eight goals for Mount Albert Grammar Old Boys in the first match of the season. Hope-Ede and Wilkinson showed a perfect understanding, and had it not been for the good keeping of Surtees the score might easier have been higher. With scores equal at half-time, Whenuapai showed more staying power and the pace proved too much for the Watersiders, whose goals were scored by Maher and Bodman.

The meeting between North Shore and Eastern Suburbs, whose teams consist mainly of youthful players, was followed with interest. Following a fast and open game the result was a draw in which each scored two goals. Shore had the advantage territorially, but after being led by two goals to one Suburbs staged a recovery to run out on equal terms. Scorers for Shore were Mason and Richards, while Neesham and Welch netted for Suburbs. RN.Z.A.F. (Ardmore) registered its first win by defeating Thistle by five goals to two. as also did Comrades, which beat Ponsonby by four to one. MetroCollege had the bye.