ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 15 June 1926, Page 2

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

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SATURDAY’S GAMES HOSPITAL V. ATHLETIC This game was played at Stoke under splendid weather conditions. Athletic won the toss and elected to play with Urn sun in their favour. The homesters kicked off, and it was not long before both teams warmed up, as the pace was a cracker for the first ten minutes, and it was soon apparent that the Hospital men were in tor a hard game, and Edmonton, their inside left had to retire. The visitors had many shots and, scrimmages around the ’ homesters’ goal, Dickenson bringing off many fine saves, until the visiting centre-forward beat him with a cross-shot , This came as a very welcome point to the Athletic, and the’only goal prior to the interval. T’he second half saw the Hospital still playing ten men, and chose to play with a depleted defence and a full forward line in the hope of securing an equaliser. However, this ' brought about their downfall, its Athletic brought toot much pressure to bear on the homesters’ hacks. During one of the assaults on the Hospital goal Leake handled and Richards scored from the, resultant penalty kick. W. Beveridge scored shortly, afterwards with a good-.cross, shot., Yorgensen obtained the fourth during a scrimmage in the goal mouth. Afterwards Brown scored for the Hospital, and W. Beveridge replied with another for Athletic, the result being Athletic 5, Hospital 1. Hospital had ultimately to finish the game with nine men, Thomas having to retire during tlm second spell with an injured leg.

. THISTLE V. MOTUEKA Play opened up with , Motueka. defending the city end. A pass from Hurst let Potts away, who centred nicely, just missing by inches. Motueka men took up the running and carried the play inti) Thistle territory, a sure goal being missed through the centre forward lying off-side. Transferring play into the opposition area, Boyne made a blind.shot. Play was more centred, neither side gaining any advantage, until Meiklejohn gaining possession, with a beautiful drooping shot scored Thistle’s first goal. Stung by this reverse, Motueka, Kept tho Tthistles’ goal-keeper busy with shots from both wings, but could not penetrate the -defence. Smith, Thistles’ goal-keeper, who has a- good conception of the game, clearing his line every time. The play, which was now of a very ragged character, without interest, ended with the first half: Thistle 1; Motueka 0.

Changing over. Thistle, who in the first half were playing# ten men, were reinforced by E. Beveridge playing outside right, Boyne falling back to the halfback position. Thistle’s second goal came from a penalty, Guy taking the kick. Play for the*rest of the game was of a kick and run style, players seeming too eager to get rid of the ball, and therefore too slow to follow up, until Motueka, durin ga . melee, scored. The game ended. Thistle 2; Motueka 1.