SOCCER FOOTBALL

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVIII, Issue 163, 25 June 1928, Page 3

SOCCER FOOTBALL

H.B. MATCHES WHAKATU AND NAPIER Y.M. DRAW. RANGERS EASILY DOWN HASTINGS UNITED. Wnakatu (5) v. Napier Y.M. (5). With the best team they have fielded for some weeks, Whakatu invaded Y.M’s territory in the first minute. Thompson save nicely from Lowe, however, and cleared. An eany score came to Whakatu after a nice effort of the forwards. Lawrie received from Gardiner and went down on the left, and after drawing the defence, passed back to Henderson, who put over to Lowe. The latter placed the ball nicely for Leicester to send in a high shot, which went just under the bar. Whakatu were not long io the lead, however, for Y.M. broke through after the kick-off and evened things up, Clarke scoring a well-de-served goal. Whakatu from this stage did most of the attacking. A further goal came shortly afterwards when Leicester got through to send a short pass over to Lowe who was very nicely placed, and the latter headed into tho not. Vaughan on Y.M.’s left wing, endeavoured to make a break-away, but MacLaehin intercepted a likely pass and returned play to Y.M.’s half, where Gardiner and Lawrie got away well. B back pass to Henderson drew the defence and the ball was sent into the goal mouth and Leicester scored. Thompson almost saved the shot, but the ball went over the line at the post. Two further open goals were missed one when Lowe only had the goalie to beak, and he hit tho upright and a similar instance when Leicester shot very wide when only two yards out. Gardiner scored a fourth goal for Whakatu just before half-time, making the score 4—l in their favour. Y.M. IMPROVES. In tho second half Y.M. Improved, wonderfully and gave Whakatu n

taste of defending. Jim Clarke was the most prominent player on Y.M. ’s side. A good opening was made by Young tor the forwards, and the right wing went away nicely anil Whakatu conceded a corner. A faulty clearance gave a grand opportunity to Mr Cullum, who centred well for Clarke to score. Y.M. came again m a bustling attack and a further score seemed likely, but Vaughan wan pulled up by Foddy, and a clearance was made. Lowe now obtained possession and sent out a pass to Lawrie and centred nicely, but Gardiner’s shot went over. Clarke ade-1 his third goal soon afterwards, heading into the net from a centre from rhe right wing. Ten minutes from time Vaughan levelled tho score scoring with a shot which brought’Stevens to his knees and the latter rolled tho ball accidentally over the line. The game now became a fast encounter for the winning goal, and both sides set up determined attacks which were repulsed in just as determined manner. Y.M., however, after hammering at Whakatu’s goal, eventually scored through Clarke, five minutes from time. It was only two minutes from the final whistle when Whakatu appeared to gain new life and a fast run shared by the forwards saw them in Y.M.’s goal mouth. The ball came from Lawrie to Gardiner to Leicester to Lowe, and the latter made certain of his shot and scored to draw level. Another attack of Whakatu’s just before time ended in Lowe being pulled up off-side, when nicely placed to score. The’ final score was 5—5. Mr McKay refereed RANGERS (1) v. HASTINGS UNITED (0). Hastings United and Rangers met in Napier on Saturday under ideal conditions. United were without Wilson, and Vic. Clark took the left wing position. United won the toss and Rangers kicked off against the sun and a cross-wind. The Blues made the first advance, but were repulsed, and United then missed n fine opportunity, D. Penman unaccountably mulling a good centre. United gained the first corner, which came to nothing. Rangers again took a turn, but a weak shot went wide of the goal. Tasker was next called upon to clear his lines. D Penman was next prominent with a nice shot. J. McCallum advanced on the right, but his centre was charged down. United gained another futile corner. From a throw-in the ball was nicely placed Tasker saving ■■ shot from Fnrnell. Uangeis nexl had a turn, a hind drive fioin Shnltvii

going wide. Another offensive movement by the Blues was nullified by offside play. From the free kick United got away and Rangers conceded a corner. A tussle in front of the Blues goal ended with the ball going behind. Butcher then put in a fine shot, which Tasker just turned aside. United keeping around the Blues’ goal Tasker again saved from H. Penman. A goal kick relieved, and the Rangers took a turn, a shot from Campbell topping the bar. A. Clark, misjudging the ball, let McCallum through, but Bell nipped in and conceded a corner. After a little midfield play, Rangers forced a corner, and Le Roy opened the scoring for the Blues. Rangers 1, United 0. RANGERS TAKE COMMAND. D. Penman next attempted to get through, but was frustrated on the post. Ten minutes from half-time the Rangers took command of die game, and Shotten netted, making the half-time score Rangers 2, United 0. On resuming, Rangers immediately got going, and kept United well penned in their own half, the Yellows only making two feeble attempts to attack during the first 20 minutes. Rangers were far tho superior team at this period. A long shot from Gray went over the bar United conceded another corner, and Campbell practically made the issue safe by putting Rangers three up. Rangers 3, United 0. Still keeping up the pressure, another shot from Campbell went high. Galloway obtaining from a melee in the goal area further added to the Blues tally. Rangers 4, tinited 0. United pulled themselves together, and bv some pretty play forced two corners, both of which proved futile. Rangers once again attacked, but a free kick awarded United nullified the effort. United set up an attack, but were soon repulsed and Rangers once again made the running. The Yellows came again, and from some good play D. Penman headed in. Tasked partially fielded the ball, but A. Clark following up well notched United’s only goal. Rangers 4, United United made strenuous efforts to retrieve their position, but had put it off too late, and Tacker again saved a great shot from D. Penman. Final: Rangers 4, United 1. Mr R. Gallacher controlled the game.