ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19369, 23 July 1928, Page 14

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

CHATHAM CUP TIE. CANTERBURY FINAL. The concluding round of the Canterbury entrants for the New Zealand Chatham Cup was played at English Park on Saturday last, when Thistle contested the issue with St. Albans. There was quite a good attendance of spectators, and the playing conditions were of the best. Without ascending to very great heights, the final was fast and interesting throughout. St. Albans lost by two clear goals, but had they adopted in attack the same tactics as their opponents they might easily have been the victors. Thistle (2) t. St. Albans (0). Thistle kicked off defending the Western goal. Almost immediately St. Albans forced a corner, which was cleared. A moment later Saints were almost through again, but G. Sutherland headed clear for a further corner, which was resultless. Thistle took a hand, and from the left Spiers sent in a hot shot which Williamson gathered and cleared in good style. Cummins next tested Williamson with a long shot, and for a period Thistle attacked hotly. Then from half-way Donovan broke away for St. Albans. He beat Johnston and finished a great run with a stinging low shot which Gwillam gathered and cleared. Play swung to the other end, where Thistle forced a corner. Cummins placed perfectly, and in the ensuing melee a Saints defender handled. The penalty kick was taken by 1). Sutherland, but Williamson saved magnificently. St. Albans then broke away, and in a tlespwate rally Cullen headed just over tho cross-bar. The Scots came again, and forced a corner on tha left. From the kick Bunt deflected the ball into his own 'net. Thistle 1, St. Albans 0. St. Albans weTO kept on the defensive in the following play, Maynard playing a great game at full-back. From a Thistle attack on the left Spiers beat Dryden and went on to finish with a weak shot which Williamson gathered easily. At the other end.St. Albans forced a corner. Donaldson placed well, but Tennent headed over. . A sharp Thistle attack gave Cummins possession. The winger centred perfectly, but Lindley cleared for Saints right on the goal-line. At this stage play was f36t and exciting. From a corner to Thistle D. Sutherland rapped the crossbar with a fierce drive, and a moment later Wood almost hooked the ball into the net from a difficult angle. Half-time was called with Thistle attacking, and the score: Thistle 1-, St. Albans 0. Thistle were first dangerous on resuming. A mistake by Mahan on the goal-line allowed Cummins to centre. Wood was on the spot, and ho turned the ball into the net at close range. Thistle 2, St. Albans 0. From a Thistle raid Tennent initiated a St. Albans raid down the centre. Cullen and Donaldson played in turn, and a shot by the winger brought Gwillam down to save. From a press of ptay right in the goal-mouth Johnston booted clear. At the- other end Wood and D. Sutherland broke away, but with only Williamson to beat Sutherland ofcr-ran tho hall, and the Saints' kcepor cleared. Back wont St. Albans, and from an acute angle Cullen ripped in a great shot which Gwillam turned over tbe crois-bar—a splendid save. Lively exchanges featured following play, with Thistle the more dangerous. Good play by Bristow gave Cummins possession, but the winger'shot wide from a difficult angle. In a further Thistle raid Wood broke through, but Williamson rushed from goal and beat him'for possession. A moment later Wood shot well over the cross-bar with only Williamson in goal to beat. St. Albans retaliated on the right. Donaldson sent over for Tennent to send in a screw shot which Gwillam turned out. Time was called with Thistle attacking, and the score: Thistle 2, St. Albans 0. Referee, Mr M. Wilson.

Bangers (3) v. New Brighton (1). Now Brighton kicked off towards the town end goal, and the game opened briskly. Rangers were first dangerous, but a good clearance by Ansley sent play to half-way. Tanner then put Brighton attacking through Cruickshanks to Graham, and tho winger placed a handy centre which produced a corner. Knight placed well, but Thompson headed clear from a dangerous position. Brighton had the bettor of the following exchanges, but good defensive play by Forsyth, H. Sloan, and W. Barnes repulsed. Brighton continued to press and Cruickshsnks narrowly missed, with a lifting cross shot. A.moment, later E. Barneß, the Rangerß 'keeper, cleared from a dangerous melee, and then Rangers camo away on the right. ■; Eraser ■: placed ,to H. B. Sloan, who centred for Thompson to drive in a hot shot from which Andrews conceded a corner. Eraser placed well for Bond to head in £t close range. Bangers 1, New Brighton 0. Brighton wore extended to prevent a further score in following play, but Tanner and Johnston finally brought relief. Brighton retaliated on the left through Knight to. Sharr..,,Fr<>m a.centra' 'W.fßarnoSj Rangers left back, headed on to the crossbar, but none of the Brighton forwards was on hand to. snap : up the chance. At the other end a trio of corners to Rangers had Brighton all out in defence. Play continued'- to be fast and interesting, with little to choose between the contestants. Then Rangers made a break on the left. McDsrmid' crossed for Robb to drive in a hot one. Andrews punched out, but .H.. B, ;Sloan .soapped'up to score with a ground .shot. Rangers 2, New. Brighton p. Rangers next attacked down the centre,. with Robb. and Bond'prominent. Johnston, the Brighton right back, endeavoured to clear, but the ball screwed into the net. In attempting to gather the ball L. Andrews, the New Brighton custodian, collided heavily with, tho upright, ,and he was carried v off. Half-time was called with the score: Rangers' 3, New Brighton 0.

. On resuming Rangers attacked, and H. B. Sloan narrowly missed with, a cross-drive. New. Brighton, retaliated' through; War* '. to Graham tp'-Sharr. From a dropping ' tranafer Graham nipped in' to register with ■'• .a low drive. Rangers 8, New Brighton. 1. Johnston, who had taken Andrews's place between the uprights/ was prominent in defence for Brighton, and play returned to half-way. Rangers then broke away through- Forsyth to Fraser. The winger sent on. to. Robb, who shot-.wildly with only Johnston in goal to beat. 'Brighton made light-of their one man handicap in following . play, and repeatedly rattled 4he (Rangers defence. From the right Graham whipped in a great shot which O. Barnes turned out for a corner which was abortive. Rangers * had the better of play territorially for a while, but they were not producing the same penetrative ability of the first halfj A brace of corners to Brighton .were repulsed with difficulty, and then from well out Waddell placed . a great shot which E. Barnes did well to punch clear.' Play eased up and time was called with ' the score: Rangers 3; New Brighton 1. Referee, Mr J. Jennings.

: THIRD GRADE. . Playing at Hagley Park No. 1 ground, Y.M.C.A. defeated Marist B by 3 goals to nil. Referee, Mr Kennedy. i The match between Sumner and Western, played at Sumner, was drawn, 3 -goals all. Mr Merritt was.referee. FIFTH GRADE. Playing on th 6 Elisor's road No. 1 ground, Spreydon defeated Technical by 5 goals to nil. Referee, Mr Reece. Marist defeated St. Albans at Hagley Park by 4 goals to nil. Mr Yates was referee. Playing on Hagley Park No.' 2 ground, Western defeated Y.M.C.A. by 1 goal to nil. Referee, Mr P.- O'Callaghan. SIXTH GRADE. Playing at Richmond Park, Nomads defeated St. Albans by 4 goals to 1. Mr -Cawtheray was referee. Marist won by default from New Brighton B. Playing, on Ensor's road No. 2 ground, Technical A defeated New Brighton A by 3 goals to 1. Referee, Mr Newton.

EMMS SHIELD. BULLER DEFEATS WESTLAND. (SPECIAL TO TH* FBESS.) GREYMOUTH, July 22. At Victoria Park yesterday afternoon, Buller (holders) defeated Westland (challengers) in the match for the Emms Shield by 2 goals to 1. The game was played in showery weather, before a good attendance of followers of the Association code. Buller dominated play in the first half, and just before the end of the spell Scott made an opening for Trotter, who goaled. The half-time score was: Buller 1, Westland 0. In the second spell Moore (Westland)' scored from a penalty against Buller. During the later stages of the game, Westland repeatedly pressed their opponents, and were unlucky in not adding to their score. Shortly before the call of time Scott scored the winning goal for Buller. Caldwell, Berry, Wilson, and Winstanley were the most. prominent players on the Westland side, while Archibald was the outstanding player for Buller. being well supported by Davidson, Woods, Scott, and Trotter. Mr J. Sharp was referee.

IN OTHER CENTRES. (PRESS ASSOCIATION TEI.EGBi.US.) WELLINGTON. July 21. Thistle beat Diamonds. 3-2: Marist beat Seatoiin, 6-3; Y.JT.C.A. beat Institute, 5-1 j Hospital best Petone, 3-1. ;.. DUNEDIN, July 21. "' Northern 6 v» Seacliff 3: Maori Hill 5 v. Hich School Old Boys 1; T.M.C.A. 2 v. Technical Old Boy« X; Mornington 5 t. Mosjriel 0.