WANDERERS HOLD NARROW LEAD IN P..B. SOCCER SERIES

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22947, 16 May 1949, Page 6

WANDERERS HOLD NARROW LEAD IN P.. 8. SOCCER SERIES

By “Dribbler” Improved public interest marked Saturday's games conducted by the P.B. Football Association on the Gisborne grounds and with greater support coming from the sidelines performances were on a high level. The second round opened auspiciously with two keen tussles. With a meritorious win over Eastern Union, Wanderers retained their lead with Rangers, the other victorious team, one point behind. Final Results Senior.—Wanderers 2 v. Eastern Union 1; Rangers 7 v. Thistle 2. Junior.—Wanderers 4 v. Rovers 0; Rangers 2 v. Thistle 1. Recovery By Rangers Thistle impressed early in their match with Rangers and at half time led 2-nil. On the changeover, however, Rangers applied full pressure and frequently riddling the Blue defence scored'a convincing win by seven goals to two. Goals for Rangers were netted by R. Barbour, Hepburn and A. McCallum (two each) and a defending player, and for Thistle by A. Easton and a defending player. In the Thistle forward line Couter and Goodwin showed improvement while S. Gillgren was conspicuous in defence. Backs Dominate Play As indicated by the low score, play in the Eastern Union-Wanderers match was dominated by the backs and the enthusiastic spectators were treated to an exciting struggle throughout. Both sides had opportunities in turn, but hard tackling and swift clearances relieved many a dangerous situation and it was only by a narrow margin that Wanderers achieved the victory. Roe and Edwards scored for Wanderers for whom D. Waugh was outstanding at centre half. The wing halves, Jury and Knowles, showed vast improvement, particularly the latter with his kicking, while A. Waugh’s speed was invaluable in checking opposing break-aways. Niven was again a constructive back while Forbes showed good judgment in goal. The Eastern Union forward line did not function as well as usual though Wiren, with a goal to his credit, impressed at times on the right. Walker showed traces of his old form at centre half, but on occasions was caught out of position. The backs, Mulrooney and Elliot, made amends for their displays last week and were the mainstay of the team while Johnstone in goal defended soundly. In the junior grade Wanderers met sterner opposition from Rovers than was the case in their first meeting. However, their superior combination reaped four goals to give them a comfortable win. Morrow (2), Cudd and Forbes were the scorers. Smith, Sharpies and Miller stood out in the Rovers defence.

In the other junior game Thistle fully extended Rangers, who won narrowly by two goals to one. Kirk and Stone (Rangers) and Sharp (Thistle) scored the goals.