SOCCER

Evening Star, Issue 19949, 20 August 1928, Page 5

SOCCER

CHATHAM CUP MATCHES NORTHERN BEATS CHRISTCHURCH TEAM. PETONE BEATS Y.M.C.A. Some 1,000 spectators saw Northern beat Thistle (Christchurch) in the South Island final for the Chatham Cup on the Oval. _lt was not a brilliant same, lacking the polish so necessary in good football. If Gwillam had not been defending the Thistle goal it is practically certain that Northern would have won with a good many more goals to its credit, but during the whole game the goalie only let one ball past him. M'Quarrie, in the Northern goal, on the other hand, had not near the same work to do as Gwillam, but ho was ever on the watch, with the result that the visitors failed to net. Northern was not up to its usual form, while Thistle was poor most of the time in kicking. The teams were:—

Northern M'Quarrie, Coates, Secular, Perry, Mnnsio, Baird, M'Dowell, M'Hugh, M'Tavish, M'Cormack, M'Leau. Thistle. Gwillam, Johnston, Sutherland (3), Bristow, Arbuthnot, Wood, Dick, Milne, Farrell. Facing the sun Thistle kicked off. and Northern immediately commenced attacking. Hard kicking lor a spell gave way to more scientific play, but the position did not prove very dangerous for either side. Arbuthnot kicked towards the Northern goal, but a clearance watt effected, and mid-field play ensued. In a weak rush the Tin’s tic forwards managed to invade the Northern area, where an easy shot went in to M'Quarrie. who had no dhliculty in saving. Northern then look up the offensive again and a shot by M'Cormack was eventually headed towards the goal, but the ball did not puss Gwillam. Following an attack by Thistle the ball went to M'Hugli, who, however, was prevented from passing to M'Lcan. When the ball travelled into the Thistle area M'Cormack had a shot from some distance out, but G. Sutherland cleared. Things became a little exciting when Northern again entered the Thistle ground, but Gwillam was again active, and easily saved a quick shot. The Thistle right-winger then tarried the ball for .some distance and centred, but >'aird met the ball and sent it down Held. ’

Gwillam proved liimsclf impassable once again alter a scramble in front of goal, tv hen n. shot from one of the forwards camo in. Btill attacking, ■Northern kept the Thistle ground, and a cross shot from M'Lean’s loot met the goalie's hands. Dick was then seen in a Tittle effort, but he lacked support, and the ball was taken from him. Shortly afterwards APCorraack had another 'shot at goal, but tho ball went wide. Thistle combined in a rush, and entered the Northern territory, and a corner followed, but this was of no use to tho visitors. Following a short term of indifferent play Dick lifted tho' ball above tho heads of tho Northern men, and would have found tho net had not M'Quarrie been active. With tho ball at tho Northern end Thistle worked strenuously, but Scoular relieved the pressure, tho Thistle centre essaying a snot which went too high. A corner kid: by M'Loan proved of no advantage to Northern. Two of the Thistle forwards carried tho ball between them past halfway, Scoular meeting them and clearing. Not many seconds passed before Thistle conceded a corner, arid the ball went to Baird, who gave Bristow an opportunity to kick for the net. Tho ball, however, rose too high, and went over tho bar._ A tusslo took place in front of the Thistle goal,and Gwillam was called into action, but this gave place to a rush by Thistle, Arbuthnot being beaten for the ball by Scoular, who crossed to Coates. The latter cleared! No score at half-time.

At the beginning of the second half play was uninteresting, very little of the actions being worth recording. For an infringement almost in front of the Thistle goal, Munsie took the kick, tut Gwillam fisted the ball beautifully over the bar. Northern started a rusli, and in a scramble before goal G. Sutherland •'lea red effectively. fhe two goalies for an interval found little to occupy their time. In another Northern rush a shot came in from the wing, and once again Gwil'i'am would not let the ball pass him. The visitors’ forward line then commenced a rush', which, however, broke down before the' Northern becks,- Secular. .eventually’ shooting i'is' Sal? ta' midfields

Tho first and only goal came when Northern pressed forward, and M‘Tavisli was given an opening. His shot beat one of tho backs and Gwillam, and found the net. Northern 1, Thistle U. , ■ Still pressing, Northern entered the Thistle ground again, and a hot shot made tho goalie go right down. A corner kick by M‘Lcan was faulty and proved of no use. Another forward movement bv Northern resulted in M‘1:1 ugh having a shot, this being brilliantly saved fry Gwillam. A pretty combined eflort by Northern saw M'Lcan taking the ball up the wing. He centred to MTavish, however, a little late, and tho opportunity was lost. In the Thistle area M‘Dowell tried to centre, but he was ton near to tho goal line to make his shot effective. Another chance came his way shortly aftenvurds, but 1 1 is shot wus u little wide. Thistle then took a hand m the attacking, and quite a lively spell fob, lowed. Dick made a fine effort to score rmht in front of the Northern goal, blit M'Quarrio just fisted over the bar. Nothing further sensational happened, and the final scores were Northern 1 Thistle 0 Mr J. Morwood was referee, and .Messrs Jordan and Davidson acted as linesmen. NORTH ISLAND FINAL The match for the North Island final of the Chatham Cup Soccer competition drew a record attendance to Blandford Park, Auckland, and was productive of a stubborn, exciting game betweeu Pctono <uul Auckland Y.M.C.A. The visitors were the heavier side, but the local men were fast and energetic. Playing characteristic kick, rush, Cuptie Soccer, the opening passages favoured the homo sale, who lost two possible chances early, but wore the first to score, Whaley heating M'Vcan niter a dashing tun by Humphreys. Pctoiie wore showing more methodical play and frequently attacked, but their efforts were marred by the unorthodox tackling of their opponents. Paton, the homo goalie, saved three dangerous shots by Pctono forwards, but the run of play" was generally even. Campbell was tho outstanding player for Pctono at centre half, and the most of the attacking movements originated with Ins long swinging passes, which kept play always open. At halt-time Auckland were leading by 1 goal, but a fairer result, might have been 1 nil. Tho match ended: Petone (Wellington) 2 Y.M.C.A. (Auckland) ... 1 NOMADS WON'T TAKE THE FIELD CHRISTCHURCH, August IS. The Nomads Soccer team refused to take the field at Christchurch as a protest against the barracking at English Park. The club’s default is regarded seriouslv in Soccer circles, anu a breach similar to that which led .'•unnysido to leave the code is anticipated. THIRD GRADE. Old Roys A 2, Maori Hill 1. ' FIFTH GRADE. High School 111. 3, Technical A 3. Normal 5, Northern B 1. IN OTHER CENTRES CUR ISTCH U RCH. St. Albans G, Rangers 3. Villa 2, Sumner 2. Western 6, Brighton 3.