ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 26 April 1937, Page 8

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

y. ATHLETIC DEFEAT CELTIC ' This match was played at Victory 'Square. Saturday afternoon in ideal weather. The teams lined up as follows: Athlete; Sipith, Pevereaux, Laurie, McKay. Punster, O’Flannaghan, Edridge, Ross. Mansell, Strange, Willis. ' Celtic: Sannazarro, Kirby, Coxhill, G. Mackie, Large, Ward, McWhinney, J. Mackie, Hurst, McKenzie, Potts. ■' Athletic won the toss and Celtic kicked’.off. Even exchanges followed for several: rpiputes until combination by Strange and Willis saw Strange pass nicely to Mansell, who finished off with a" firie shot which entered the top corner of the net. Athletic 1. Celtic 0.

' Celtic' came away in good style, J. • VMa'ckle securing and with a powerful drive struck the crossbar, the ball rebounding. The Celtic forwards rushed ■ ■ up arjd Hurst shot. When the defending ■/' full back handled the ball from •• vthe' resulting penalty kick CoxhiJl

netted well clear of Smith. Celtic 1, Athletic 1. More fast exchanges took place Hurst testing Smith with fine shots. Smith caught and sent well up the field. Celtic came again McWhinney, sending to Hurst, who tipped nicely to McKenzie, finished with a fine drive just skimming the post. An exciting tussle took place around the Athletic goal, Mackie shooting from close range, but Smith fisted the ball down. Bunster fell on the ball and curled round it. the Celtic forwards appealing for a penalty Bunster pushed the ball out about a yard, and the Celtic forwards, instead of kicking the ball in goal, stood awaiting the result of their appeal. However Deveaux dashed in and cleared well to touch. Soon after the whistle sounded for half time. Athletic 1. Celtic 1. Opon resumption. Celtic were first away, G. Mackie sending nicely to J. Mtfckie, who finished with a good drive, but Smith cleared in good style. Willis put in a fine run down Ihe wing finishing with a good centre, which Ross secured and shot, Large diverting for a corner. Nice combination was seen between McWhinney and J. Mackie,

Mackie taking the ball right in the goal mouth. Smith made a desperate effort to save, the ball passing over his outstretched foot. Celtic 2, Athletic 1.

Celtic were now having most of the play. Smith dealt brilliantly with rasping shots from Potts, Hurst, and Mackie, saving his goal in a remarkable manner. Bunster, who was feeding his forwards nicely, placed to Mansell, who finished with a shot too hot for the Celtic goalkeeper. Athletic 2, Celtic 2. Both teams were now playing all out for the deciding goal and after strenuous up and down play Edridge put in a fast ground shot which entered the net through a crowd of players, giving Sannazarro no chance. Athletic 3, Celtic 2. There was no further score. Mr J. Guy was the referee. Junior— Celtic: 3. Y.M.C.A. 2. School Senior— Hampden-st. 11, Auckland Point 0. Tahuna 2, Central 1. Bantams — Auckland Point ‘l. Ilampden-st. 1. Tahuna 3, Central 1.