MARIST DEFEAT DIAMONDS.

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 136, 13 June 1927, Page 14

MARIST DEFEAT DIAMONDS.

Although Marist won their first Chatham Cup fixture against Diamonds by 4 goals to 2, they had to fight hard all the way,- and the score was not a true representation of the fortunes of the game Had the work of the Diamonds' forwards been a little more finished, especially in front of the goal, the score might have been different. Alarshment was an absentee from the Marist team, his place beinz taken by Pope. • Diamonds kicked off, but the initial advantage was with Marist, although a sudden rush by Diamonds placed Marist in a dangerous position. Hearne, who was playing centre-forward, tried his luck with a. shot, but the ball struck the side of the net. Then Marist came away again, but the forwards were kicking too strongly. M'Elligott led a good forward rush, but Condon ivas beaten for the' ball in front of the goal. Smith sent Diamonds away, but Hearne was over anxious, and a good chance went for nought. Up the other end again, Thomas placed nicely for M'Elligott to shoot, but the ball went high. The resulting goal kick let Diamonds away, and a nice centre by- Stocks saw Hearne head into goal. Diamonds 1, Marist 0. Diamonds continued to press solidly, and the Marist defence was being severely tested. Hearne just missed with a solid shot, which would have troubled Hickey. Marist made a recovery, and, following in a nice centre by Barton, Condon hustled the ball through while Ewing was out of position. Marist 1, Diamonds 1. Marist maintained the pressure, and M'Elligott was almost through with a low shot. After awhile Diamonds made progress again, and Kinnear missed a great chance. Marist broke away again, and Barton tested Ewing with a stinging shot. The goalkeeper saved, but could not clear, and Condon headed in. Marist 2, Diamonds 1. Marist continued to press, and before long another goal came their way, M'Elligott beating Ewing with a shot from well out. Marist 3, Dinmonds 1. Again Marist went away, and this time Thomas had a long shot. Ewing was again beaten. Marist i, Diamonds 1. Marist had put on three goals in under ten minutes. Diamonds began to force the pace again, but half-time sounded without any addition to the score.

Play wa,s fairly even on the resumption of play. Marist' were content to slow' clown, relying mainly on defensive tactics. Hearne was slow in turning a centre to advantage, and Thomas saved at the expense of a corner. A little later Hearne should have headed the leather in. Marist made a temporary excursion into Diamonds' territory, but their attempts to score appeared to be rather half-hearted. Diamonds were still getting their fair share of the play, but their efforts in front of the goal were very disappointing. Ilearne had the chance of a lifetime, but sent high over the top. A moment later, however, he redeemed himself by sending the ball into the net from a centre by Stocks. Marist 4, Diamonds 2. The game closed without further incident.