Surprise Victory in Soccer Competition

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 6865, 23 May 1932, Page 10

Surprise Victory in Soccer Competition

ATHLETIC AND ST. ANDREWS PEG LEVEL AT END OF FIRST ROUND Saturday brought the first surprise in the Manawatu Football Association’s Soccer competition this season, and, coming at the end of the first round of tho senior league scries, it will no doubt have a decided effect upon future games. The championship chart revealed the previous week that St. Andrews led the field with seven points, Athletic having five, while R.S.A. and Flock House held two each. With tho leaders having the bye last week, tho meeting of Athletic and E.S.A., at North Street Park, naturally evinced considerable interest and supporters were anxious to learn the result of this contest. It was anticipated by tho majority that the ex-soldiers’ eleven would win the day, thus making them runners-up to St. Andrews but, although R.S.A. players had the game in their hands by two goals to nil just 15 minutes from the final whistle, Athletic suddenly galvanised into life, ran up three splendid goals and took tho laurels from a very surprised opposition. It was a good game. Play throughout had been quite exciting despite the fact that there wero more individual flashes than tho desired combination attacks, but Athletic deserved the victory for their last-minute recovery, made after being outclassed iu the earlier stages. A Sudden Reversal Twenty minutes after commencement, Baigcnt drew first blood for R.S.A. against the Athletic eleven. From the left wing tho leather came over iu a flash and, at centre, he shot a long grounder which curled into tho net. Time and again tho reds came back for another, but Richardson stemmed tho rushes. Incidentally, the custodian—recently elevated from the lower grade—proved himself a splendid goalie. He was loudly praised on Saturday for-his remarkable saves and will have to bo watched closely by the representative selectors for future engagements.

Camel], at inside-left, together with Kempson and Graham (iu goal) were shining lights for tho ex-soldiors, while Hands was probably tho best for the opposition. He was ably supported by Crowe, Hearscy and Travers who grafted throughout.

Goal number two did not como until ater the interval, Carncll receiving the ball in a melee. Ho sent it over to the wing, ran into position and caught the transfer in time to drive it into the corner. Tho prospect looked decidedly black for Athletic at this stage and, with only twenty minutes remaining they could not get closo enough to do any damage. Then, from the right wing, Bailey secured possession and shot past Graham to mako the tally I—2.1 —2. With renewed hope Athletic went to tho attack again and, two minutes later, Travers shot a beauty from well out to mako the honours even. It seemed hardly ercTlitable that another goal could follow almost as quickly but this proved to bo tho case. Hearsay picked up tho ball on the wing and centred for Bailey to kick it into the back of the net. In fifteen minutes an apparently beaten team had scored three goals and won the day with a point; to spare! Mr. Moxon sounded tho final whistle to an exciting game. R.S.A., earlier in the piece, had revealed itself a much improved side, but had faded out of the picture completely iu the last stages. FIFTH GRADE RESULTS e. . Other results, for fifth grade games, wero as follow: To Awe Awo Old Boys 3 v. Terraco End Scouts 2; Y.M.C.A. 7 v. All Saints’ Scouts 0.