FAST SOCCER AT NORTH STREET

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 179, 1 August 1938, Page 3

FAST SOCCER AT NORTH STREET

Y.M.C.A. Give Rovers Hard Game THISTLE ACCOUNT FOR SAINTS Despite the recent wet weather, conditions at North Street Park on Saturday afternoon were surprisingly dry, with the result that Soccer of a high standard was seen. In the senior competition Thistle met and defeated St. Andrew’s by five goals to three in a. game full of exciting moments, while Rovers had their work cut out to beat Y.M.C.A., who wero fielding only nine men, by a margin of five goals to four. The game between Thistle and Saints was one of tho best seen this season. Thistle played as a cohesive unit and W. Allen had on his kicking boots. Allen shot four of Thistle’s goals and every one of them was a masterpiece. His third goal had the spectators gasping. Tho ball came Hying across from T. Downes on tho wing to Allen, who was waiting near the goalmouth. Catching the leather on his heel, he shot it .straight past the keeper. Allen is one of the few players in this centre who can. back-heel judiciously. It is au art (hat not many can acquire. Thistlo’s other goal came from Harvey’s boot, as the result of a well-timed forward rush. Tommy Crowe, in he half line, played a great game, always being on the job when wanted and sending away his front line again and and again. Saints j were playing a scratch team, but put up a good performance. They have the ’ material if they could only keep their team together and get their players to 1 turn up regularly. A. Young secured two of their goals, the other ono being the work oi H. Locke, who showed that ho has not lost his old art. He played a good wing game, but did not get enough backing. Young played his usual enterprising game, while Me- : Sheffery was .in the picture at the right moments. The score at half-time was 1 I—l. The teams were:— Thistle: Kempson, G. Downes, H. Boddell, Stewart, Watson, T. Downes, F. Peterson, T. Crowe, W. Allen, Harvey, Mabey. j St. Andrews: Chilton, Broughton, Me- ! Sheffery, Lyon, Turner, E. Bell, A. Young, Horn, Wheatley, Peterson, H. Locke. Mr. S. G. Bennett controlled I the game. Rovers v. Y.M.C.A. Although Rovers were certainly the superior side, they were lucky to get ' away with their 5—4 victory against { Y.M.C.A. At half-time both teams had ’ registered three times, and towards the end of the second half, with tho score at 5—4, Y.M.C.A. were awarded a pen*

alty goal kick. The kick was abortive, tho ball flying straight into the keeper ’a arms, and Rovers kept their narrow lead. The game was fast throughout, with both sets of forwards fighting hard for openings. Y.M.C.A. played two men short but put up a good fight, and their defeat in such conditions by the competition leaders was no disgrace to them. For Rovers Blummont scored three goals and Young two, while for the losers Dingwall and Harkness each registered I twice. The teams were:— S Y.M.C.A.: Ward, Brougham, Howard. Davidson, Gatley, Warner, Searle, Dingwall, Harkness. | Rovers: Newlands, Bennett, Oman P. Kendall, Donnelly, Blummont, Young, Bartlett, Kendall, Pegden, Armstrong. Mr. A. H. Hesketh refereed. j ,