ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

Hawera Star, Volume LI, 4 May 1931, Page 3

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

TARANAKI COMPETITIONS OPEN. HAWERA DEFEAT STRATFORD. The soccer season in Taranaki opened on Saturday, when the first game of the competition series in Hawera was played at King Edward Park between Hawera and Stratford. In bright sunshine and on grounds that were in isplendid order the game was fast and interesting and attracted a fair number of spectators. Although defeated by one goal Stratford easily had the better of the game until the second half, when Hawera rose to the occasion and triumphed with two goals scored in quick succession. Stratford were perhaps unlucky in the number of goals thrown away, more by bad luck than bad management, Hawera also losing equally good chances through over-eagerness. MeLuskie, the Hawera. goalie, Starling and James played an outstanding game, while on the Stratford side Jack Jones, Elham and Aliller attracted most attention. Elham, in particular, gave a fine display of footwork. The teams were as follow: Hawera (white). —Forwards, Dyer, Ogden, Young, Barker and James; half-backs. Bromley, Starling and Pitts; hacks, Reece and Be are ; goalie, AtcLuskie. Stratford (red and black). —Forwards, J'. Jones. T. Vemey. L. Jones, S. Payne and IT. Aliller; lialf-baeks, Elham, Cockerill and Raynor;, backs, Gibbs and Henderson: goalie, Lobban. Stratford kicked off with a light breeze at their backs and were soon hovering around MeLuskie, who sent a neat header to the quarter line. Barker dribbled down field and Ogden followed through and forced a corner, which was cleared by Henderson. allowing the visitors again to take up the offensive. Good combination characterised Stratford’s play, the hall passing out to Jack Jones, who kicked a great goal from a difficult angle. Stratford 1, Hawera! O.

Stratford quickly made ground and forced two corners in succession, but tlieir efforts were futile and the game developed into a free-for-all scramble on the far side of the field, from which Dyer secured and punted over to the near wing. James and Raynor pounced on the hall and disputed I >ok session. but the latter kicked clear and centred to Henderson, who forced a corner. MeLuskie took no chances and cleared safely. Starling punted down field and grazed the posts with a fine drive. From the goal luck Lobban set the forwards going, Elham confusing his opponents with a- pretty display of footwork. Reece saved a nasty" situation with a good header, and then Starling went away solo, forcing a corner. Hawera, however, found the pace too strong and Stratford. with the advantage of better combination, kept up a solid attack. MeLuskie was hard put to hold the invaders in cheek, and time and again he swept the hall ont to the quarter line onlv to find the attack renewed. Hawera." at last took up the offensive, and for several minutes the success of the movement- was held in doubt until Young put his foot into the hall and snicked it past the goalie, who stood somewhat bewildered by the sudden onslaught. Stratford 1, Hawera. 1. Starling, at centre half-hack, was the life of the team. Reaching within striking distance of the goal he evaded Gibbs and Henderson and shot ar the goalie. Lobban made a clever save and swept the ball out to J antes, who was beaten for possession by Raynor. Raynor dribbled on to Elham and that player, with an open field before him, missed an easy goal bv inches. Play continued fast and open and Stratford still predominated when the spell ended. On resuming Hawera created a sensation by scoring inside 30 seconds. The ball travelled down the left wing, James passing infield to Barker, who sent in a great shot. Hawera 2, Stratford ].

With renewed oontklence Hawera maintained the pressure and tli© Stratford defence was kept at full stretch. .James secured and went with, the ball for a distance of 20 yards down the sideline and. placing all .his weight behind the ball, sent it to goal. Gibbs took the, ball oil bis head and sent it out. From the. goal kick Jack Jones engineered a similar move in Hawera territory, but failed to profit by his dexterity. James again secured possession, bat was upended by Pitts and the ball rolled to the back of the posts. The half-backs next had a run and play centred for several minutes in Hawera territory until MeLwskie rushed in and cleared. Jack Jones and Henderson .were-asso-ciated, and the Hawera line again was in danger until Barker took a header and followed the ball on and through the posts. Hawera 3. Stratford 1.

Playing a great game, Starling kept within striking distance of the visitors’ line, but Bobtail was taking no chances and twice cleared with a flying leap at the ball. Stratford quickly repulsed a further movement and nreeipitated a headlong flight- through the home defences. The hall travelled from one to the other along the forward line. Hawera were caught napping and Miller added a further point to the visitors’ total, the game ending:. Hawera 3. Stratford 2. Mr G. Mitchell was referee. ALBION DEFEAT MOTUROA. At Western Park, New Plymouth, ( Albion played Moturoa. It being the first game of the season, many -of the J players felt the hard going, particularly in the closing stages. Nevertheless it was a good exhibition of the code. iTio score not being a true indication of the merits of the-match. Albion piled on the goals because its front-line men were the more skilful in front of the net. winning by six goals to Moturoa’s two goals.

MATCH FORFEITED. f'Mo.Jonians won by default from Celtic (Hawera b