ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

Northern Advocate, 26 July 1926, Page 3

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

CHATHAM CUP. HIKUEANGI DEFEATED. BY HUNTLY THISTLE. Succeeding the district finals of the Chatham Cup competition allocated to minor associations, the first round of the inter-association competition commenced on Saturday, when Huntly Thistle Club opposed the Hikurangi Club at the Recreation Park, Hikurangi, before a moderate attendance of the public. Ideal weather prevailed and the playing area was in excellent condition. When the two teams lined up on the field of play it was plainly visible that the visiting combination was much heavier than the local team. Practically throughout the game the Thistle forwards, giving a splendid exhibition of footwork and passing, caused the home team endless anxiety, and under the pressure the defence crumpled and gave away four goals. The home team’s defence was as weak ns Thistle’s was sound, and little could be done to stem the tide of disaster. The Hikurangi halfbacks were kept so busy with the dazzling fast movements of the visiting forwards that thoj 7 ' had little time or scope in which to render any assistance to their vanguard. Thistle played with clockwork precision, every member of the team giving of his best, the outstanding players being Johnston, Patrick, Longstaff, Tait and J. Whitelaw. Turtington, Malcolm, Tunstall, Ackers and Queripel individually were the best of the home team.

Thc Hikurangi forwards launched • occasional attacks, but White and Whitelaw proved safe. Gavin started Hikurangi’s discomfiture by placing Thistle ahead within three minutes of the commencement and a little before half-time .Johnston increased the visitors’ advantage. Longstaff was responsible for the third and fourth goals. Hikurangi never gave jrp their efforts to “break the duck,” but the Thistle .defence prevailed. The teams took the field as follows;

Huntly Thistle

Goal: J. Stirling. Backs: J. White and J. Whitelaw. Halves: D. Cuthbert; J. Tait, J. Halley. Forwards: T. Gavin, D. MeLuekie, E. longstaff, J. Patrick, H. Johnston.

Hikurangi,

Goal; Turtington. Backs: H. Taylor, J. Malcolm. Halves: W. Hellens, W. Malcolm, J, Hellenq. Forwards: J. Lawson, J. Ackers, T, Kirkley, C. Queripel.

Hikurangi won the toss and elected to play on the downward grade, with a slight breeze in their favour. Longstaff opened the play, which was immediately carried to the Hikurangi defence zone, and within two minutes MeLuekie placed- a beautiful centre for Turtington to save, but unfortunately he conceded a corner. Johnston took the kick, and from the ensuing play Gavin found the net with a shot which caught Turtington napping.—Huntly Thistle 1, Hikurangi nil.

From the goal-kick, Tait returned play to a convenient position and sent over the visitors’ goal. Still pressing, ThisMe forced a corner. Halley made a great effort to goal, but the Hikurangi keeper saved magnificently. The visi tors ’ half-back line was doing splendid work and threatened the defence. Tait received a pass from Halley and headed the leather over the goal. Within the next minute Turtington was called upon to defend, his goal from a centre by Johnston, and on being relieved the home team attacked for the first time and forced a corner, from which Cuthbert cleared to Queripel. The latter, with a long shot, sent over Thistle’s goal. The play that followed saw Hikurangi on the defensive. The visitors forced a corner from which Taylor cleared. Patrick took possession, and avith a solo effort beat three defending players, but his attempt at goal was nullified by a timely kick from 'Taylor. The venue of play moved upfield, and Ackers essayed a long shot wMeh went outside. A clever movement by Gavin again threatened the home defence, relief coming to Hikurang! through the ball passing over the goal. Soon afterwards Tait missed a shot and the home team were temjwrafily relieved, but the impetuous visiting forwards returned play, and from a beautiful concerted movement Johnston headed a goal.—Thistle 2, Hikurangi nil. A free kick was awarded against Hikurangi just outside the penalty area and Tait made a bad attempt at goal. From then on until half-time Thistle kept the home team defending, shots being missed by Longstaff, Patrick and Mclmekie,

On resuming, Hikurangi attacked

and Kirkley was given a chance, which he was too slow to accept. Tait cleared with a nippy piece of play and sent the forward divison away on a dangerous movement which ended in Longstaff finding the net with a strong shot. —Thistle 3, Hikurangi nil.

The reverse apparently rallied the home team, Ackers, Kirkley and Queripel taking charge to carry play to Thistle’s goal area, where Queripel sent outside, and a minute later centred over the net.

The visitors were not long in again demonstrating their superiority, and set up a determined attack which they maintained for quite a time, eventually culminating in a corner being conceded. Taylor cleared for Hikurangi and play was carried to the visitors’ territory, where J. Lawson sent in a shot for Stirling to save

Thistle again invaded the opposition territory. Gavin and MeLuekie endeavoured to goal, but there was no tangible result. Malcolm eventually relieved the pressure, and Ackers and Tunstall figured in a movement which just fell short of a goal, the latter’s attempt missing by a small margin. Hellens also made a good effort with accurate aim, but Stirling proved safe.

The visiting forwards again took charge for Patrick to find the net, but the goal was disallowed through offside play. However, the visitors retained the ascendancy, forcing two corners in quick succession.

During the ensuing few minutes Patrick, Tait, Longstaff and Gavin each attempted to increase the lead, but good play on the part of Turtington turned defence into attack, with the result that Hikurangi forced a cor-

hlcr from which c toured, for play to again threaten the home defence zone. After a short tussle Longstaff notched the last goal from a centre by Johnston, and immediately afterwards the final whistle sounded.—Thistle 4, Hikurangi nil. Mr R. Nesbitt made an efficient referee.