SOCCER.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 3995, 28 July 1913, Page 7

SOCCER.

COUNTY (3) v. GISBORNE (1)

The above match, the last in the fourth round, took place on the Reserve. The winners were represented by the fill strength of the club, but Gisborne were short of German, their strong centre-half. The game afforded a succession of surprises, as from the kick-off Gisborne got, possession, and before the Blacks seemed to realise

that the game had started, the Black and Whites had the ball in the net.

As they continued to’ have quite tlieir share of the play for the rest of the spell, the County supporters commenced to think that the seeming good thing was not-going to come off. The next surprise occurred on change of ends, as the Gisborne team seemed to go to pieces, only crossing the halfway line twice during the concluding spell. But for the determined defence put up by Alan Gardner and Jack Ronwick, it would be hard to say what the final score would have been.

In addition to those two players for the losers, Lancaster played a good game at half, Gallan, who was supposed to be playing inside-left, really played a fine half game, his. tackling being very fine —no doubt lie -will be selected for the half line next week. In the forward line Black shaped fairly well, while Anderson played a really good game. The rest of the forwards were not up to their usual form, For the winners, all, after the first few minutes, played really good games, Jim Wallace, if any, showing out.

County kicked off, and Gisborne taking possession slipped right through and Anderson scored, while the Blacks were getting ready to start. Gisborne 1. County were attacking now for a time, but Anderson got away again, to be _ stopped by French. King and Willshaiv got a passing Tun on and Ronwick getting out to save, King got past, but missed an easy shot. The Wallace wing got away now, but Jim’s finish went wide. The ball was very soft, and shortly after Fryer, -when in a good position to score, missed, so badly that the ball must have been to blame. The Wallace partnership were now stopped by the fine play of Gardiner. Shortly after Stone gave a free kick to Gisborne just outside the penalty area, but no score resulted. King and Stone got in a run, but Stone shot wildlv over the bar. Jim Wallace put in a fine shot, which missed by inches only. The Blacks now got a penalty kick, but Hannah put the ball over the bar. Give and take play was now the order of things. Fryer being stopped in the danger zone by Hannah, and the County forwards by Gardner, who was playing sound defence. King, who had been playing centre, now ivent to his old position at outsideright. and things improved for Countv, the whistle goLig Avitli the Blacks pressing. Gisborne 1, County 0. After change of ends the game needs little description, as the Blacks were peppering aAvay at the Gisborne goal for nearly the Ai'hole spell, RenAviek being the hardest Avorked goalie seen out this season. He played a fine game, and Avith Gardiner deserves every credit for the valiant efforts they made to stem the tide of defeat. County scored three goals, the first from a beautiful corner kick of Jim Wallace’s which King finished in his usual smalt style. The second Avas from the centre, Stone scoring an easy goal .after Drube had miskicked. The third Avas from a penalty, Avhieh Hannah made no mistake about this time. Tlie Avhistle ivent shortly afterAvards .as a Aveleome relief to the Black and Whites.

The referee appointed failing to put m an appearance, the Avhistle ivas wielded by -a gentleman (name not- at hand) who has on several occasions given every satisfaction. The goal scorers were: For County, Stone (1), King (1) and Hanah (1). For Gisborne, Anderson. (1). This round leaves County Avith the small lead of one point (15 points), Taruheru (14),' Y.M.A.C. (12), and Gisborne (7). It is understood that a fourth team has been formed to take the field on Thursday, with the object of giving the team Avliich has the bye a game. Mr Oates must be commended for his efforts in this direction. There is an ever-increasing crowd at the Reserve to witness the Soccer matches.

Y.M.A.C. (3) v. TARUHERU (0)

Y.M.A.C. journeyed to the Freezing Works on Saturday to discuss matters with Taruheru, and although the Reds had only ten men throughout, they put up a great game, and retired victorious by a dear rtiree goals’ margin. Taruheru Avere Avithout Sharpies, Sumner, and Read, but Statham appeared in their old ranks for the first time this season. Y.M. lost the toss and kicked off Avu.il’ a slight cross-Avind someivhat in their favor, and from the start more than held tlieir own. The visitors were playing four forwards, and the absence of an inside-left made the attack .somewhat Aveak. Although the play Avas mostly centred round the

Taruherp goal, the Blue defence kept their goal intact during the first spell. ••Tiny” was called upon to save several good shots from Meikle and Gledhill, and two high curling shots from Greene Avere dealt Avith in his usual masterly manner. Several break-aivays by the home quintette carried them doAvn to their opponents’ citadel, but H. Hughes Avas at the top of his form, and Avas backed up by some fine clean kicking by Saunders. On changing ends the Blue vanguard set up a hot attack, and on tAVo occasions came very near the mark. Oates and Parker Avere putting in a lot of good work, Avhilst McMurray was the most dangerous in the front rank. Y.M. eventually got aivay on. the right, and a centre from Meikle saAv Greene miss an open goal. Oates left the field at this stage, and a strenuous tennaside game followed. The long passing of the Red front lino frequently carried the play into the danger one, and after consistent pressure Greene took up a pass close in from Turnbull and opened Y.M.’s account. This reverse aroused the Taruheru' men to greater efforts, but Hughes and Hosier put up a rock-like defence, and kept their forwards well on the attack. Following on some good defensive work by Snngsby and Parker, Turnbull took a back pass from Greene and shot. Crigliton got his hand to the balT", Avhieh fell to the foot of the Y.M. skipper, avlio easily registered another goal. McMurray now changed places Avith Parker, and after a spell of play round the visitors’ goal, the latter played put in a splendid shot, which looked all over a goal, but Wilson brought off a grand save. A strong kick by Mitchell set the Red right Aving again in motion, and after.a good run down Gledliill centred. Slingsby, bustled by Turnbull, miskicked, and Greene performed the “hat trick” with a firsttime shot Avliich gave “Tiny” no chance. After this the result Avas never in doubt, \and time Avas eventually called Avithout further score. For Taruheru, Oates and Parker Avere the pick of the defence, while McMurray and Harris shoAved up well in the fonvard line. Y.M. had no really weak spot. Hughes Avas brilliant at back, and was supported by some good kicking by Saunders. The halves acquitted themselves well, and the forwards Avere good value for the throe goals scored. Mr Stuckey, of. the ncAvly-formed Referees’ Association, controlled the game.