WELLINGTON AT LAST

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 221, 15 June 1931, Page 15

WELLINGTON AT LAST

Wins F.A. Soccer Trophy GREAT RECOVERY Auckland Defeated s— l LESLIE’S THREE GOALS By Telegraph—l’rcss Association. Auckland. Juno 13. Showery weather and a greasy . ground failed to inar the English trophy challenge match played at Blandford Park to-day between Auckland, tho holders, and Wellington. A highly exciting contest, which at times was brilliant, resulted in a win for Wellington by 5 goals to 4. This is the first defeat Auckland has suffered since tho inception of tho competition six years ago.' The teams were as follow: — Auckland: Zuill; Gerrard and Reid; Morrison, Christie and Jones; _ Innes, Dunsmore, Spencer, Hislop and, Kay. Wellington: McVcan; Jeffrey and Guest; J. McLeod. Campbell and Hanlon ; R. McLeod, Condon, Leslie, Smith, .and Craig. Auckland came away from the whistle with a brisk move on the right flank, Dunsmore letting out Innes, who. with an accurate centre, forced Mc\ can to handle. fl'hc ball was not. properly cleared and Dunsmore came back supported by Spencer. The last-named collected a neat transfer and snapped the ball past ‘McVcan. Strong reprisals came from W cllingto», but Auckland pressed home its advantage and within five minutes was another goal to the good. Innes again boring through a pass to Spencer, who scooped the ball into the net before the Wellington backs could recover. The visitors settled down quickly and had tho Auckland defence severely tested with a thrustful frontal attack. Leslie, Condon and R. McLeod combined wiln effect. Condon receiving from « melee to reduce the deficit with a fine shot. Encouraged by this success, the Wellington forwards were seen in a series ot smashing raids which soon had the Auckland defence in ribbons. Leslie and Condon showed up repeatedly and were unlucky not to score on two occasions. Kav looked dangerous in a sparkling run on the Auckland left, but Jeffrey halted the movement. Auckland was not. to be denied in a subsequent rail., however. Dunsmore received last in a chain of passes and netted in quick time. The exchanges were even to the | spell, when the score stood Auckland " Wellington 1 Brisk counter attacks characterised the opening of the second half, Smith gaining I territory for Wellington with n tricky run. instantly followed by a subtle AuckI land move on the right initiated by DunsI more and Kay. who bad been well watched. Jeffrey 'raced through with an open goal, but was ruled offside. R. McLeod was responsible for putting Wellington at an advantage, a high shot being fisted out by Zuill. but Leslie, following up fust, nodded the ball into the J. McLeod stemmed an Auckland ofI fensivc and set his brother racing gouiI ward. He gave a well-judged pass to i Leslie for the centre-forward to level I the scores. Excitement was intense while the teams I hammered away for the lead. M cllington's staying powers gave it two more ' gbals th" quick sticcei’xion; Leslie got the drst and Smith the second. Auckland rallied, but the time was too I short, although Dunsmore battled through I just before the final whistle to make the score:— Wellington 11 Auckland 4 Mr. F, Campbell, chairman of the Now i Zealand Football Association, presented (he trophy at the conclusion of the game.

MARVELLOUS RECOVERY A Beautiful Trophy (By “Goalie.”) Wellington has at last succeeded in wresting tlie F.A. trophy from Auckland, and after an amazing game. The halftime score reached Wellington just after the interval at the Basin Reserve, and when it read Auckland <’>. 'Wellington J, tho general feeling was that it was not yet to be. Shortly after five o’clock the news went round that Wellington had pulled the game out of the fire in the second spell aud had won by the odd goal in nine. Auckland was leading 2—o when Condon put on 'Wellington's first goal, and Dunsmore added another to those scored by Spencer for Auckland. , It was Leslie who gave the game such a sensational turn, and he must have reproduced the brilliant form he showed against Canterbury. In five minutes he scored three goals and put Wellington ahead, and Smith made the position further secure by adding the fifth, which was needed, as Auckland scored again before the end. A drawn game would have left the trophy in Auckland. It was a splendid success and will have a good effect on the game in Wellington. ’There is every prospect of a prompt challenge coming from the South Island, and ’Wellington Soccer supporters may look to seeing n representative game on the Basin for the F.A. trophy in the near future. The Wellington team will arrive at Thorudon shortly alter mid-day 10-day. The trophy is one of the most beautiful and valuable in New Zealand, being worth about £3OO. It was presented by the English Football Association four years ago. SELECTOR DELIGHTED “Bringing Home the Bacon” Mr. J. Kean, treasurer to the Wellington Football Association, went witli the team as manager, and about six o’clock on Saturday evening the chairman and solo selector. Mr. W. 13. Hicks, had a telegram from Mr. Kean saying: "Bringing home the bacon. A great game." Mr. Hicks said: "I am extremely pleased with the team, I can assure you. They have played up to what I expected of them, although I felt dubious when I saw the half-time score. lam more than pleased at the success of the team, for it will give a new lease of life to the game in Wellington. It is practically certain that we shall soon get a elir.ilenge from Otago or Canterbury, and Wellington people will be able to have another look at the trophy at last. Everyone will be glad that ‘the 'Wellington team has at last broken (lie spell.” This is the fourth time that ■Wellington has played Auckland for the F.A. trophy, and on the three previous occasions Wellington has been defeated 4—2, having very hard luck on one occasion. Mr. F. Campbell, chairman of the New Zealand Football Association, mid Mr. J. J. Roberts, president of the Wellington Football Association, went Io Auckland to see the match, mid will he returning with the team to-day.

RESULTS AT A GLANCE DIVISION I. Marist 9 Thistle 1 Hospital .... 9 W.Y.M.I 1 Waterside ... 1 Seatoun 0 DIVISION 11. Lower Hutt.. 3 Institute 0 Nada 3 Stop Out s 3 Corinthians .. 3 Island Bay ... 2 Swifts 6 Tech. 0.8. ... 4 Miramar Rang. 3 Trentham .... 0 DIVISION I TABLE.

Marist and W.Y.M.T. are a game behind in the first round, and Diamonds and I’etone, having so many players in the representative team on Saturday nt Auckland, were given a bye, and will piny later if necessary.

1’. w. la. Goals D. I’.A.Pts Hospital 8 0 1 1 27 10 13 Diamonds 1. 1 29 12 11 I’otonc 4 i 2 25 18 10 Waterside ’'" s 4 *1/ 2 19 12 10 Marist ... 3 22 17 7 Thistle .. 8 1 4 3 10 25 5 ISeatoun . 8 0. 5 3 12 27 3 W.Y.MJ. ( 0 6 1 S 37 1