WATERSIDERS STILL IN THE LEAD

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 125, 28 May 1923, Page 10

WATERSIDERS STILL IN THE LEAD

THISTLE ACCOUNT FOR MARIST.

A high wind played a big part in Saturday's Association football games, which were, ,in consequence, robbed | of spectacular play. Watersiders, who are still leading for the championship, met Karori at Newtown Park, and although the champions won by a margin of two goals they had to fight hard for victory. Karori gave a fine display of football. The main game at Association Park waa that between Diamonds and V.M.C.A., who had met the previous Saturday in the Charity Cup round. On that occasion Diamonds secured a one-point victory, a performance they could not repeat on Saturday, the game ending as it began—with no score. At Kelburn Thistle, a greatly-improved organisation, secured their first win in the League championship at the expense of Marist. Thistle thoroughly deserved success. Hospital had no great difficulty in defeating Welgasco at Porirua.' The position of teams in the championship is as follows:—Watersiders 8, Hospital 6, Diamonds 6, V.M.C.A. 5. Thistle 3, Marist 2, Karori 1, 'Welgasco 1Results at a glance are: — ' j Senior A. Waterside, 3; Karori, 1. Diamonds, 0; V.M.0.A., 0. Thistle, 3; Marist, 2. Hospital, 6; Welgasco, 0. Senior B. Scottish Wanderers, 2; Swifts, 0. Institute, 1; Brooklyn, 0. South Wellington, 3; Island Bay, 1. HOSPITAL v. WELGASCO. The weather was fine overhead during the Hospital Welgasco match played at Porirua, but drenching rain had fallen for an hour previous to the commencement, and the ground was very heavy. Welgasco won the toss, and were at once on the defensive, a shot from Gibson just going wide. Gibson, with Lambert, again charged down, but the latter's centre went behind. Welgasco now took a hand, and some nice play between Blackstock and Clitheroe made matters look dangerous for Hospital, but Ferguson, with a timely kick, relieved the situation. Again the visitors returned, and Winter and Quinnell were prominent, their efforts resulting in a corner. From this Pugh received and sent in a fine shot, which Trewick did well .to clear. The heavy, wet ball and slippery ground was making it difficult for the players, but the combination, particularly by Hospital, was particularly good. The home team obtained several corners, from one of which Daily placed the ball in the net, but no goal was allowed, as the ball had not touched another player. Several free kicks against Hospital for offside brought relief to Welgasco, and they made some spirited attacks on the home goal, but Gibb and Ferguson were very safe at back. At the other end Thompson, in goal for Welgasco, made several good saves. Then some good play by Lambert followed, and his pass to Hughes was sent on to Daily, xvlio openaed the scoring with a rising shot. Hospital 1, Welgasco 0. Immediately Thompson earned applause by making two great saves from Hughes and Gibson. Welgasco, led by Winter, were almost . through, and missed a great chance to equalise, Gibb' saying well. The visitors' defence was quite good, with Turner, in particular, playing a splendid game; Hughes hit the* crossbar with a fine shot, and then Daily and Dick tested the goalie. The latter, in clearing, was penalised for carrying, and Gibb took the kick and netted. Hospital 2, Welgasco 0, Halftime arrived a few, minutes later.

■ The second half opened with' a strong attack by Welgasco, and Winter shot hard, but the call went just over the bar. Again the visitors came away, but the defence was sound. At this stage the heads of M'Ardle and Gibb came together, with dire results, the former having to leave the field for some time with a severe cut. Shortly after, Hos pital attacked vigorously, and good play between Lambert and Gibson ended in Dick scoring with a fast shot. Hospital 3, Welgasco 0. Hospital were now getting much the ■ best cjf the play, and only good defensive work kept the scor© down.. Thompson, in goal, was called on several times to save good shots, and frequently earned applause. Occasionally Welgasco broke away, but most of their efforts were spoilt through hard kicking. A fine concerted effort by the home forwards led to Daily scoring when close in. Hospital 4, Welgasco 0. Turner was hurt and left the field, .but was able to return later. In the meantime the one back game resulted in Hospital being frequently penalised for offside. A fine rally by Welgasco should have resulted in a; scor-a, but the opportunity was badly missed. At the other end Thompson saved a good shot from Dick, but Hughes obtained possession and made no mistake. Hospital 5, Welgasco 0. Towards the finish Gibson shot hard, and Thompson had hard luck in drawing the ball over the line. Hospital 6, Welgasco 0. The referee, was Mr. Pugh.