ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 16 July 1928, Page 6

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

LEAGUE FIXTURES Athletic 4, Hangers 1. Thistle .2. Hospital 0. Senior games? in the League competition were continued on Saturday, when Hospital met Thistle and Athletic played Hangers. HOSPITAL V. THISTLK The ll.ispii.il v. Thistle match was played at Stoke. A slroug "spout" wind was blowing which considerably upset the game. Hospital kicked off. and the ball was immediately returned to the vicinity of I heir goal, Guy being wide with a 'pot shot. A few minutes later Hurst sent over the bar. Willi the help of the wind Thistle had mailers all their own way. Graham came away with a delightful dribble and finished with a neat shot for goal, which Hauler attempted to head out, but the ball screwed from his head into the far corner of the net. Thistle 1, Hospital 0. Thistle continued to press and a clever bit of work by Miller ended in his sending Ihe bail well forward to Graham, who, '.ricking tlnoe Hospital men, took the ball within a yard from goal, but. just failed to put on Ihe finishing touch. Kissock cleared. Hospital torwards saw very little of the ball, big kicks by their "backs being returned by the wind. Thistle were still pressing when tlu whistle blew for half-time with the score Thistle 1. Hospital 0. Upon resinning. things looked very rosy for Hospital. Two shots from Ashton went wide. The. Thistle defence was being severely tested, but the erratic shooting of the Hospital, forwards lost, several good chances. Deer sent nicely to Dore; he attempted logo through on his own, Instead of passing to Ashton. who was nieel.' placed and was robbed of the ball by Kit-by. Hospital right wing was prominent. Dickh.soii and Hlirst combined well, ending in the former testing Potts with a line shot. Hospital forced two corners in quick succession, the first of which Ashton met with a first-time drive which went just a little too wide; the second was very well placed by Hurst, the ball striking the corner of the post, and unluckily for Hospital turned behind. Guy sent the Thistle forwards away and Graham forced a corner off Kissock. Graham put m ii beautiful corner kick which alighted right in the Hospital goal mouth. Campbell met Hie ball smartly and gave Thomas no chance of saving. Thistle 2, Hospital 0. The Hospital forwards now attacked in a spirited manner, and Dore sent over, and a little, later Hasler with a powerful drive was a. yard 100 high. Hospital were still pressing when the final whistle blew, leaving the score—Thistle 2. Hospital 0. Mr A. E. Coxhill controlled the game.

RANGERS V. ATHLETIC

At Victory Square, Rangers winning the toss elected to play with the wind and sun in their favour. Richards kicked off for Athletic, who immediately began to press, but were repulsed by Arbuckle. Even play ensued for a time, the ball travelling up and down at a fair pace. Athletic were having slightly more'of the play. From a nice centre by G. Smith, Richards bad no difficulty in registering bis side's first goal. From the kick-off-Athletic immediately pressed again,' Rut-the defence of Smalley and Arbuckle was sound. Hangers now got going, but were soon back again in their own half. From a scramble in the 18-yard area Richards scored his sides second goal. From now on to half-time Athletic seemed to have full control .i the game, and Beveridge scored the third goal. Shortly after half-time was called with the score—Athletic 3 goals, Rangers 0. On resuming, Rangers were kept verybusy on the defence, but frustrated Hie Athletic onslaughts. Still keeping up the pressure, the Rangers' citadel had many narrow escapes, the Hangers goalie (Coxhill) saving his side repeatedly. Rangers broke away and caught the Athletic defence napping and from a scramble in front of their goal the ball, after striking the crossbar, was eventually put into the net for Bangers first score. Aroused by this success, the Rangers put more life m 1... their play and the Athletic defence had a lew

anxious nionienls, However, a nrti by Lane hrotighl the ball well down to llm Hangers' end, and the, best goal of the day was scored by Richards, giving the goalie no chance. I'Vom I hen on iiulil the, end, Rangers were seldom in the picture, Athletic having mailers all their own way. The name finished—Athletic <1 goals, Rangers I goal. Mr O. K Piper controlled the ganjo. The ga,;na was played in a, keen uponiu«- spirit No ditibt the Rangers' team missel ih,"'. or n:.t of Lhy.ir it.iuud play e.'-. but '.'i.-.; juisioi emergencies played reniarki/hh well against I heir more seasoned opponents. Coxhill in goal could hardly be blamed for the shots that beat him. Sin alley and Arbuckle got through a. lot of work. The rest of the team ilid not gel many chances. For Athletic, Mansell in goal had little to do. Lane and Gould were safe, the h.iiv-s .unbilled well, ami the for vard plav of Hie Athletic team was ii ucb improved .roiu thai of last Salnr day. Alblelic have now praclicaliy w.m the championship and are to he heartily congratulated.

AUCKLAND RESULTS

(By Telegraph.—Press Association)

AUCKLAND, 14lh July. Soccr results —For Chatham Cup, lo cal final—Y.M.C.A. 4, Ponsonby 1

AT WELLINGTON

WELLINGTON, 14lh July. Soccer results-—Chatham Cup, local final -Marist 2, Petone 3. For Challenge. Cup—lnstitute 4, Scaloun 3; Diamond 5, Thistle 2; Y.M.C.A. 4, Hospital 1.

Senior I!—Waterside ], li>»i 2 Thistle 0, South Wellington G.

SAMARANG TKAM BEATEN

Onitod Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright Australian Preen Association.—-United Service.

WKLTF.YRFDFX, 14lb Julv

At Soccer Australia, heal the Sama rang champion team Goahend by 5 to 3