SOCCER FOOTBALL

Northern Advocate, 22 June 1925, Page 6

SOCCER FOOTBALL

PROBABLES Y. POSSIBLES. DBA WIST GAME, From the five clubs in the North Auckland Football Association's competition for the Campbell Cup, . 22 players were selected early last week to play an A and B match on Saturday, the object in view being to select a North Auckland representative eleven to contest the Brown Shield on June 27 Avith Auckland, the present holders.

The trial match was played on the recreation ground at Ilikurangi before a good attendance. Fine weather prevailed and the ground was in first class order, which factor materially assisted players in giving of their best before the eyes of the selector. It was expected that the best 22 Soccer players in the North would provide the onlookers with a splendid exposition of the code, and undoubtedly all who witnessed the match were entertained to a fast and clean contest from start to finish. Although the game was drawn with two goals each, the result does not indicate that it was evenly contested. The Probables were more aggressive than their opponents and for two-thirds of the match kept the opposition on the defensive. Cole, the goalie for the possibles, was in a large degree responsible for the decision remaining on even terms, as he proved to be a wall of defence for his team, effecting bril-

liant saves on many occasions. Turtington, his vis a vis, also gave a good account of himself, although he was not troubled to nearly the same extent. Most of the shots he had to negotiate were long ones from opportunists, of which it was noticeable the Possibles had a few among their number, The teams took the field as follows:— Probables. —Goal, Turtington (Hikurangi) ; backs, Haycock and Heeney (Y.M.C.A.); half-backs, Malcolm (Hikurangi), J. Piatt (Waro) and Cook (Portland); forwards, Caldwell (Y.M.C.A.), Shepperd (Waro), Croft (Y.M.C.A.), Parsons (Hikurangi) and Booth (Y.M.C.A.).

Possibles—Goal, S. Cole (Y.M.C.A.); backs, Taylor and Darlington ■ (Hikurangi); half-backs, Macnay (Waro), Lewins (Y.M.C.A.) and Piatt (Waro); forwards, Piper (Waro), Worthington (Portland), McCullough (Y.M.C.A.), Ackers (Waro) and Queripel (Hikurangi). Probables won the toss and elected to play with the sun at their backs. From the kick-off the Possibles attacked, but only for a short spell, play being forced to within striking distance of the latter's goal, where Caldwell almost drew first blood, driving in a hard shot, which Cole saved brilliantly. At this stage of the game Possibles were awarded a free kick, play reverting to the other end of tho field, resulting in the attackers being conceded a corner. Piper took the kick, which was well directed, the goalie effecting a clever save from a smart shot from Queripel.

The Probables' forwards raided the opposition territory, Cole once again coming to the rescue by turning the leather to the outside of the net, resulting in a corner in favour of the attacker. Booth's kick, however, was a little too strong and the defence obtained momentary relief. The impetuous Probable forwards were soon within striking distance again, for the goalie to save a hard drive, and immediately following Parsons missed a fast shot by a foot.

Ackers, for Possibles, instituted a movement which relieved his side, play being transferred to within the Probables' danger zone, where the latter were awarded a free kick. A period of pressure again threatened the Possibles' goal, the outside right, Caldwell placing the ball over the bar, to be followed almost immediately by a shot at goal by Shepperd, the keeper clearing in good style.

Piatt relieved the dangerous position and the Possibles made a determined attack on the opposing team's territory, culminating in Ackers registering the first goal of the match.— Possibles 1, Probables 0.

This spurred on Probables, who were after the equaliser, and it was not for want of trying that during the ensuing few minutes they were not successful, but Cole rose to the occasion and saved brilliantly twice in succession for his team.

At last relief came to the defenders who, making the best of the opportunity, turned defence into attack and took play into the Probables' danger zone, where the attackers forced a corner, and from a well directed kick freni Piper, Queripel turned the sphere to account for tho second goal.—Possibles 2, Probables 0.