SOCCER FOOTBALL

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIV, Issue 211, 20 August 1934, Page 4

SOCCER FOOTBALL

LAST ROUND OF FAIRCLOUGH CUP

Y.M.C.A. VIRTUAL WINNERS. The last round of 'the Fairclough Cup competition was played at Napier and Huntings on Saturday. As the competition now stands Y.M.C.A. are virtual winners of the cup, this making the second competition won by this team. The game between the leaders and Whakatu was fast and open, and al all times held the spectators' interested, Y.M. winning by the odd goal in three. Wanderers failed against United, the latter team’s forwards being in deadly shooting form, and ran out winners by six ■ goals to two. Factory scraped home by one goal against Hangers. WHAKATU v. Y.M.C.A. INTERESTING GAME. Fast, open play characterised the final game in the Fairclough Cup competition at Hastings. The ground and weather conditions were nearly perfect for good footwork, and an even game resulted, both teams showing up well in turn. Y.M.C.A. with their team at full strength won by the odd goal in three, against a Whakatu team minus their regular forward line. The teams took the field as follow: — Whakatu. — Lancaster, Christensen, Moss, Row lands, 11. Penman, Leicester, Muir, McAleese, Simmonds, Smith, Dymock.

Y.M.C.A.—Thompson, Young, Hen derson, Cullen, Campbell, Bryan, Thom' son, Nicholson, Smith, Durie, Ander

Y.M. won the toss, and from the kick-off Whakatu took play right into Y.M.’s penalty area, Leicester essayed a long shot which went high over the bar. From the kick Y.M. took possession and drove home a likely attack against Whakatu. A fine kick from just outside the penalty area was fortunately well cleared by Whakatu's defence to allow their forwards to immediately attack at the other end, where a shot by Dymock was diverted byHenderson at the expense of a corner, which was abortive. Durie and Anderson now raced away, but Rowlands timely spoiled the movement. Again Y.M., through Nicholson and Thompson, looked dangerous and their efforts ended by Bryan sending in a long shot that went over.

A good pass by Smith went a-beg-ging. Dymock being temporarily out of position, and a possible chance of scoring was lost. However, Smith, following up, gave the ball to Penman, who collected and struck the cross-bar with a hard drive —a lucky let-off for Y.M. Play' then swung from end to end of the field, Bryan putting in some fine centres from well out that were not taken advantage of. Good combination by Whakatu’» forwards ended by Simmonds having a good try, which was a shade too high, From the goal kick, away went the Y.M. forwards again, taking Whakatu ’s defence by surprise, and a snapshot by Nicholson grazed the side of the post, with the goalkeeper well beaten. Immediately Whakatu returned and Smith, racing down the left wing, beat Young and passed to Dymock, who dallied a second too long when in a good position and was deprived of his chance, the ball eventually g o > n g to McAleese, who shot over. Smith (Y.M.) and Durie forced play and a hard drive from the latter was well saved by Lancaster. Play at this stage was fast and open, both goals being visited in turn, and at any time a score was imminent. The score did come, after some swift combining movements by both teams. Clever play by McAleese and Simmonds allowed Dymock a running ball, which he took beautifully' and drove hard into the net, going at speed. A great goal as a result of clever play by nearly the whole forward line and the centre half. —Whakatu 1, Y.M. 0. From the centre Y.M. nearly surprised Lancaster, a sudden concerted rush, and a sharp, low shot from Durie, which passed the post with only inches to spare, and immediately following Y.M. were granted a penalty kick —a Whakatu defender accidentally handling—which went high over the crossbar.

Y.M., still pressing and after a melee, Campbell from wide out put in a high drooping shot, which completely deceived Lancaster, and landed in the corner of the net.—Y.M. 1, Whakatu 1.

Right away Whakatu took play to the opposing goal, a corner kick was gained, and taken by Simmonds to Penman, who headed strongly, the ball striking the post and rebounding into play, with the goalie beaten. After clearing, Thompson and Nicholson again raced off looking dangerous, Moss ultimately returning well down the field, where Simmonds drove across the goal-mouth, with both Smith and Dymock a second too late to clinch matters. Smith, Whakatu's new inside left, was playing a fine game, his strong following up and bustling tactics causing a lot of trouble to Y.M.’s defence.

A great piece of play was now seen. Cullen, Y.M.’s right half, set the ball going, all Y.M.’s forwards taking part. It was only clever anticipation by Christensen that thwarted a most promising attack by the left wing from taking effect. Shortly after this spectacular play half-time was called with the scores one all. THE SECOND HALF. A free kick for Y.M. just after the kick-off was well placed by Young, and Whakatu’s goal underwent a bombardment, which was in 'the end luckily cleared, to permit Dymock to drive another hard shot at Thompson, who cleverly saved. Whakatu still pressed, and Smith gained a corner which was well taken by Dymock to Penman, who headed close past tho post. Y.M. attacked from the kick and Thompson, racing down the wing, crossed a beautiful ball to the goul-mouth, and Anderson following up had no difficulty in netting, Whakatu’s backs claiming offside, instead of playing till the whistle blew. —Y.M. 2, Whakatu 1.

This success put extra vim into Y.M. and Whakatu was kept on tho defensive for a bit, Lancaster saving from Bryan and from Thomson, who twice in succession drove into the goalkeeper’s hands. Play was hard and grim and Wliakatu’s forwards were robbed of two chances by over-keen-

ness, getting into off side positions. Lancaster saved again from Thompson, the ball dropping at Nicholson’s foot, who drove hard over.

The pace was now beginning to tell. Whakatu slowed up more than Y.M. and play generally slackened. However, Y.M., during several minutes’ close play in front of Whakatu's goal, were only robbed of a scare by a great exhibition of goal-keeping by Lancaster, one shot being saved by the cross-bar after striking Lancaster, A bard drive by Bryan went past the post. Y.M. were having the better of the exchanges during the last 10 minutes, Campbell and his defenders dealing with all Whakatu's attacks until tho end, when the scores were: Y.M. 2, Whakatu 1. Mr McGhee refereed. GAMES AT NAPIER. FACTORY v. RANGERS. Rangers failed to hold their late form and went down to Factory by one goal. During the first half Rangers held their own, and played a good game against the wind, Tasker in goal having a busy time clearing numerous assaults on his citadel. After the interval Rangers livened up and kept the game in Factory’s territory for quite a time, but could not score. Factory’s defence wore them down ultimately and turned the tables, Rangers goal again undergoing bombardment. More than half the spell bad gone before J. Clarke struck the crossbar with a hard drive, which rebounded into the net. The game ended without further scoring, Factory 1, Rangers 0 Mr Stickland refereed. WANDERERS v. UNITED. Although Wanderers were one goal up at half time, gained from a corner kick, they fell to pieces iu the second half, United piling on six goals to Wanderer’s one after the interval. The game in spite of the eight goals scored was uninteresting, play being lackadaisical. As time wore on United halves and forwards improved in play and goals came at intervals. Sawyers played his usual bustling game and was among the prominent players, his goals were good efforts. Booth at half was again in form and scored a goal, this player is one of United’s stalwarts, being a tireless workei. The game concluded with the scores United 6, Wanderers 2. BOYS’ MATCHES IN NAPIER. The results of the boys’ matches in Napier are:— MINOR SECTION IL Kiwis 2, Comrades 1. Port 11. 3, Rovers nil. MINOR I. Gelson Park i, Hastings Street ail. Nomads nil, Celts ni’ Rivals 2, Spurs nil. Meeanee 3, Swifts 2. JUNIORS Wanderers 2. Napier Primary Schools B team nil. Magpies 2, Napier Primary Schools A team 3. United 1, Rangers nil. Boys are reminded that all donation Looks must be handed in by Tuesday. SCHOOL GAMES. PRACTICES FOR REPRESENTATIVES.

The following programme has been drawn up as special primary school matches with a view to giving the representative team practice, all the games being on the No. 2 ground:— To-day, Rep. Team A v. Wanderers. 2.30 p.m., referee Mr Gallagher. Tuesday, Rep. Team B v. Wanderers, 2.30 p.m., referee Mr Lambert. Wednesday, Rep. Team A v. Nomads, 2.30 p.m., referee Mr Henderson.

Thursday, Rep. Team B v. Meeanee, 1.30 p.m., referee Mr Wood. Rep. Team A v. Working Boys’ Team, 2.30 p.m., referee Mr Duncumbe. Friday, Rep. Team B v. Rangers, 2.30 p.m,, referee Mr Gallagher. Saturday, Rep. Team B v. Magpies, 1.30 p.m., referee Mr Brigg. Rep. Team A v. Rangers, 2.30 p.m., referee Mr Wilson.

The A Representative team will play in the Intermediate colour jerseys and the B team in Port jerseys. All other teams will wear usual colours.