SOCCER

Evening Star, Issue 19943, 13 August 1928, Page 4

SOCCER

THREE GOALS TO ONE MAORI HILL WINS FLETCJiFR CUP, ■ The Fletcher. Cup goes to Maori Hill. A decision was arrived at at Logan Park when Maori Hill replayed the drawn game’ of last week with Northern, and emerged victorious by 3 goals to 1. Two thousand people were present at tho match, which was played on a good ground and under ideal weather conditions. If Northern had kept up the form displayed in tho early stages it is probable Maori Hill would not have had tho victory. Northern was showing good combination in the first half, but failed to keep it up in the second, when Maori Hill had much the better of the game. Tho Hill backs, in the first half, failed to put up the defence necessary to keep hack the onward Northern rushes. At half time only one goal had been scored, that being in Northern’s favour, while in the second spell Maori Hill piled up three goals, and prevented Northern from adding to tho first goal. Tho following were tho teams;— Maori Hill: Callaghan, Dougall, Bayne, ■ Morris, Brown, Thompson, Carso, Oliver, C*oft, Proctor, Balk. Northern: M'Quarrio, Coates, Secular, Perry, Munsie, Baird, M'Dowcll, MTlugh, M'Tavish, M'Cormack, M'Lean. Winning the toss, Northern elected to play with the wind, and straightway took play into tho Maori Hill ground, where the ball was kicked over the goal line. Play went back towards the Hill end, and tho right wing relieved, the ball going to Northern’s left winger, who seat to M'Cormack. Tho latter’s shot from some distance out dropped on to tho far side of the bar. Maori Hill then took a hand at attacking, and a neat solo run by Corse followed, this player centering, but one of the Northern backs effected a clearance. From halfway the ball travelled towards Maori Hill’s right wing. Some tricky play on tho wing resulted in the ball going to Proctor, who timed his goal shot nicely. M'Quarrie having to fist over tho bar. Northern become offensive again, and an attack broke down when tho opposing backs were met, and play was confined to halfway. Northern commenced to pass again, and the ball wont into the Hill ground, where Brown failed to clear, M Tavish rushing up and beating Callaghan, who made a mistake by leaving Iris post. Northern 1, Maori Hill 0. Things began to look bad again when Northern’s forwards carried out some good manoeuvres, but Brown came forward and cleared- .Following another attack by Northern M'Lean headed for the net, but his attempt wont too high. Two minutes later Balk had his first opportunity, and timed his shot .well. Secular, however, headed, but tailed to clear, and after some hot play Die position was relieved. Up to this stage Hill had not exhibited tho same good combination as Northern, tho forwards lacking tho necessary aggressiveness. Brown got a nice position, and sent a, beautiful shot to Balk, wbo> found tho opposition too strong. With play in the Northern territory Hill worked hard, and a shot by Proctor just went past the goal. Northern started another attack, and a pass went to M'Cormack, who shot a little 100 high, the ball travelling over tho bar. When Maori Hill got away again Oliver sent a badly-judged shot to Balk, who was beaten by one ot the Northern backs, who cleared. Tho Hill forwards by solid kicking managed to enter Northern’s ground, where Scoular, ever alert, fielded. The other forwards then started a rush, the ball travelling right out to tho right winger, who made a mistake. Shortly afterwards Car.se sent a hot shot across to Proctor, who failed to score. The offensive was taken up by Northern and near the goal M'Tavish made Callaghan go down on his knees to clear. Nothing of a Spectacular nature took place until Carso dribbed down-, field just past halfway, when ho sent across to Proctor, who in turn endeavored to pass to Balk. The latter, however, was just too late in reaching the ball, which was whipped by Northern to the other end, where a corner kick failed to bo of any use. Nothing more of any interest happened before halftime was called.

Almost a dead calm prevailed when the second spell commenced. For a brief interval the game was characterised by aimless kicking. A pretty pass went to Proctor, who dribbled lor a distance and then shot to Carso. The' latter took the ball towards the posts, but was beaten by Scoular, who made a clearance. Later a good opportunity in front of goal was missed by Croft, and Northern had a chance to enter the opposition ground, where nothing exceptional transpired. Maori Hill opened up another attack, and a shot by Oliver was headed away by M’Tavisn. The scores were shortly afterwards evened, when Maori Hill entered the Northern ground again, Scoular failed to clear, but Coates was haudy, and in trying to field he gave the ball to Oliver, who found the mouth. Northern 1, Maori Hill 1.

Northern was soon away with the ball. A low shot from one of the forwards was easily picked up and cleared by Callaghan. When play went to tho other end Balk sent in a lovely shot, which M'Quarrio saved, and a corner followed. The ball did not leave tho Northern half before Balk found another chance, and this time ho was successful with a long shot, Maori Hill 2, Northern 1.

Proctor aas conspicuous again near the goal posts, but ho met Scoular, who shot to the side to clear. Not long afterwards Brown gained possession near halfway, and with perfect judgment raised the ball over the heads cf the Northern men, and Coates, who tried tyiiead outwards, just tipped the ball and sent it skidding into the net. Maori Hill 3, Northern 1. A fine kick at goal for Northern wa.s taken by Scoular, who failed to add teo that team’s one goal. Northern rushed ;orward, and M'Cormack sent a swift, low shot in which baffled the backs. The ball, however, wont a little wide. Soon afterwards Proctor was on the ball, and sent it out to Balk, whose shot back 'again was faulty. With splendid footwork M'Cormack had the better of the hill forwards, but ho was given no support. Lu quick succession twice Maori Hill came very near goaling, a cross shot from Oarse’s foot being followed by one by Croft. Northern was having a busv time keeping back the hill men, who persistently neared the goal. M'Quanrie was found to be wideawake between the posts when Croft ran up and shot quickly. Proctor also found M'Quarrio impassable. Hard kicking for a spell failed to give either side any advantage, whila a free kick for Northern was also of no use. The Northern men were beginning to show the form they did earlier, but could not do any good in the hill ground. Not long afterwards the whistle blew, and the final scores were:— Maori Hill ■— 3 Northern ... I Mr J. Jordan was the referee. FIRST ENGLISH TROPHY HATCH WELLINGTON BEAT'S CANTER BURY. The first English Trophy match of the season was played on the Basin Reserve Wellington between Wellington and Canterbnry. Wellington kicked off against a fairly stilf wind. A few minutes after the start the visitors mstrong attaek, *ad {eßo>6>

ing an exciting piece of play, BuUen headed into the not. Canterbury 1, Wellington 0. Canterbury continued to press, but finally Campbell sent Wellington away. Leslie’s shot Waa far too high, however, and Canterbury returned to tho attack, Bridgens beating Lucas in a shot. Canterbury 2, Wellington Thou camo a lightning rush by Wellington, and Stark finished off a great movement by beating Colville. Canterbury 2, Wellington 1. Play continued fast, and tho ball travelled quickly from ono end to the other. A sudden rush by Canterbury ended in Bullen scoring again, 3-1. Wellington retaliated, and from a corner by Barton, Campbell headed through. 3-2. After a spoil of even play, Thompson scored for Canterbury. 4-2. This was the score at half-time.

Wellington had all the best of tho opening stages of the second spell, and play had not been in progress more than five minutes when Barton scored as the result of a fast follow np. 4.-3. Wellington continued to attack strongly, and there were some bright passing bouts. Canterbury were kept on tli© defensive, and H. Campbell evened tbo score with a great shot, after beating several Canterbury backs in fine stylo. 4-4. t It Was now all Wellington; and Leslie broke away in a fine solo effort to scoi'e a great goal. Wellington 5, Canterbury 4. '

Soon afterwards Leslie made an opening for Barton, and the right wing made no mistake with tho shot —6-4.

Wellington continued to have tho better of play, and tho ball wag rarely out of Canterbury’s half. A'tine centre by Barton enabled Leslie to score again. This was a fine goal. Wellington ... ’ 7 Canterbury ... ._ 4 ■ THIRD GRADE. , Old Boys A 5, Northern B 0. To Taumata A 2, Technical 0. To Taumata B 3, Northern C 0. FOURTH GRADE. High School I. 4, Northern 0. Te Taumata A 9, Sigh School H. 0. Technical 2, To Taumata B 0. FIFTH GRADE. High School IV. 3, Port 1. High School VH. 1, Northern B 0. Northern A 4, High School VI. 0. Technical B 2, High School HI. ]. IN OTHER CENTRES CHRISTCHURCH. Villa 4, Brighton 0. Rangers 1, Sumner 0. Technical 4, St. Albans 0. AUCKLAND. In tho North Island semi-final in tho Chatham Cup competition Y.M.O.A. boat Pukemiro by 3 goals to 1. The championship games resulted: — 1 North Shore 3, Ponsonby 2. Tramways 3, Belmont 1. ' . iL;