The Association Code

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 107, 9 May 1938, Page 8

The Association Code

COMPETITIONS OPEN IN MANAWATU

THISTLE DECISIVELY BEAT ST. ANDREW'S

Playing conditions were none too fav

ourabie on Saturday afternoon for the ushering in of the soccer season at the North Street Park. Following the re-

cent rains the grounds were heavy, which tended to slow and at times unimpressive play. For the first competition games of the season, however, some fairly promising form was at times indicated, and the prospects for a successful season and a higher standard of play later on seem very bright.

Four teams were seen in action, these being Thistle, who met and decisively defeated St. Andrew’s by five goals to two, and Rovers A and B, tho latter springing a surprise victory of 9 —3 over their senior clubmates.

Much interest was evinced in the Thistle v. St. Andrew’s match, which was well contested throughout, although the winners showed most evidence of combination and' were quicker to take advantage of any opening. The teams took the field as follow:

Thistle (red and white): Kempson, G, Downes, Telford, Moore, Curtis, Stewart, Hooker, Harvey, Wallen, Berkham, Martin.

St. Andrew’s (blue): Chilton, Gallon Braugham, Peterson, Lyon, Galley, Dingwell, Egan, Bell, A. Young, Horne. Opening with a series of unconcerted dribbling rushes and aimless kicking by both sets of forwards, the game at the initial stage did not look at all promising. The Thistle forwards led by Lyon made a few fairly definite attempts at cohesive invasion but these proved abortive, Brougham clearing successfully but not productively from his full back position, while Chilton gave a foretaste of consistently sound work as custodian. Allen, the Thistle centre forward,-cleverly obtained possession on several occasions but failed to make use of his wings. Reprisal rushes by Saints led by Dingwell, Egan and Bell were successfully checked and the game was settling down to a series of dull little half-hearted rallies, when the Saints’ halves sent their forwards off in a more concerted dribbling rush that ended in Egan (inside right) drawing first blood for blues with a mud-lifter that had Kempson guessing.—St. Andrews I—o.

Thistle strove hard to equalise, but half-time found no change in the score. The second half had not Jong commenced when, from a melee round the Saints’ goalmouth, Thistle’s inside right, Harvey, shot a bar-scraper into the net to make Thistle 1, St. Andrew’s 1.

Thistle now started raid after raid, but Chilton’s fist was always in the way, although he was at times cornering when clearing kicks were both possible and advantageous. However, the corner kicks were in the main badly placed. At last Thistle’s attempts core fruit when Curtis (centre half) broke through to beat the blue goalie.—Thistle 2, Saints 1. A lucky clearing kick sent Bell off to Thistle’s circle when Kempson saved neatly and sent a long speculator which Lyon trapped nicely and returned to the goal mouth. The next clearer found a luckier destination, Allen taking possession and carrying on to find the net.—Thistle 3, St. Andrew’s 1. The same forward added another goal some time later after some adroit dribbling. Thistle were now definitely on top and a good invasion ended in Hooker beating the custodian after dribbling in from the right wing. In desperation, Saints made a determined effort to score, and fought their way to Thistle’s goal mouth. From the ensuiug melee Kempson slipped while making a save and Dingley found the net, making the final score Thistle 5, St. Andrew’s 2. Mr. H. E. Hesketh controlled the game. ROVERS A v. ROVERS B Although Rovers B imposed a 9—3 defeat on their A team, the losers were playing three men short. The B’s, however, were definitely on top, F. Hart, who scored five goals, giving a bright display at centre forward, ably backed by Armstrong and C. Hart, tho latter boing responsible for two other goals. Blumont and Kendall were also sound, playing an "offensive” defensive back game. Hunter and Telford each scored, once. For the seniors Lang, Brown and Harknass each contributed a goal. The teams were:— B: C. and F. Hart, P. and B. Kendall, C. Armstrong, Fairclough, Blumont, Hunter, Berryman, Telford, Davidson. A: Petrie, Lang, Anderson, Brown, Holland, Allen, Harkness, Donnelly. Mr. G. Geekie was referee. A fifth grade match resulted St. Andrew’s 5, Technical High School 0. Scorers were Dorsett (3), Wilson (1) and Boucher (1). Mr. H. Kempson refereed. In a primary school game Terrace End beat Convent I—o.