PETONE BEAT SWIFTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 100, 1 May 1939, Page 15

PETONE BEAT SWIFTS

When Petone snatched a last-minute victory over Swifts in the Wellington Football Association senior champion-^ ship match at Petone, leaving the final score 2 goals to 1, they achieved no more than they deserved. They had shown superior combination for almost the whole of the second spell and only over-eagerness of one of their men prevented them from making victory certain, a few minutes before their final score. A penalty kick was awarded them in a good position right in front of the Swifts' goal.. Reid beat the Swifts' 'keeper with a cannon-ball shot, but a man was in front and the kick had to be taken again. This time the goalie was in the road. Although Petone deserved victory on their showing during the latter stages of the game, the, newly-promoted Swifts' eleven were by no means disgraced. In fact, the standard of play by both teams was surprisingly good a first match of the season. During !the first half there was little to pick between the, opposing sides. Swifts showed out best during the early stages and the half-time score, 1-all, was a fair indication of the fortunes of the first forty-five minutes' play. The greater experience of the Petone men became apparent in the second half. Making good use of the slight southerly breeze that had sprung up, they swung the ball about with skill and sureness, and with their opponents forced to remain on the defensive were able to concentrate their efforts on a sustained attack on the northern goal! Swifts' defence was strengthened considerably by the good work of their 'keeper, Tonks. He took the ball cleanly and was never bustled. The Petone goalie, Shane, was not in his best form, and had his side been on the defensive more, a different result may have attended the match. Swifts were at-their best in the first half and their keenness resulted in a

fast pace being maintained. Jievertl excursions into Petone territory fay* them shots-at goal, but they went outside the mark until Hickmott got horn« after accepting an In-pass from Shankie,

The luck was with Petone when'they evened the score early in the second spell. Reid scored from between 30 and 40 yards, in front of the goalSwifts were handicapped during part of the second half when • -A. Afyiiyte, their right-half/ retired injured for a time. Petone made use of this < tern* porary advantage: by keeping the ball on the weakened wing. The match was won with a nicely-judged corner kick by Graig, Leslie just tipping it into the net with his head, / Mr. J. Duncan controlled ijie gam«»