ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 3 May 1937, Page 9

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

SATURDAY’S MATCHES Y.M.C.A. AND THISTLE WIN RESULTS AT A GLANCE Senior— Y.M.C.A. 8, Celtic 1. Thistle 3, Athletic 0 Junior — Y.M.C.A. 3, Celtic 2. Tahuna 1, Thistle 1. Schools Senior— Hampden-st. 7, Central 0. Auckland Point 4, Tahuna 1. Bantams— Auckland Point 2, Tahuna 1. Central 0, Hampden-st. 0.

Matches in t.he senior Association football championship were continued at Victory Square on Saturday in fine weather, the grounds being in perfect condition. Y.M.C.A. followed up their win of last Saturday by overwhelming Celtic to the tune of 8 goals to 1, while Thistle had no difficulty in gaining a victory over Athletic. 1 THISTLE DEFEAT ATHLETIC The Thistle team was the more experienced of the two, several of the Athletic players being comparatively new to the game, though there is no doubt that they will improve before the season has progressed far. Thistle’s combination was not as good as that employed against Y M.C A. last Saturday, though they overshadowed their opponents in this department. Athletic were lucky to have a goalkeeper ot Smith’s calibre between the posts, otherwise there is no doubt that the margin against them would have been substantially increased Mansell and Devereaux played solid defensive games for Athletic, while Bunster led several attacking movements. Camp bell, J. Cuthbert and Fergusson played well for Thistle. The teams were:— Thistle: Sexton, Cythbert, Twort. Clarke. Meachen, Ferguson, Hughes, Knight, Campbell, McGregor, Smith. Athletic: Smith, Mansell, Devereaux, Bunster, Ward, Edridge, Laurie, Drake, Willis, McKay, Ross. Athletic kicked off. but Campbell (Thistle) took the ball nicely and led a

raid to a few yards from the goal, where he shot high. Athletic were kept busily engaged dealing with strong penetrating movements by the Thistle forwards, finding relief in long kicking tactics.

Sexton made a lucky save when an Athletic back punted high from near the half-way line. The goalie attempted to take the ball on the full, but it bounced off his arms out of play for a corner kick. Devereaux was responsible for a neat bit of play when he stopped a Thistle attack with an overhead kick. Fergusson was the first to score when he received from Twort and outpaced an opponent to beat Smith with a good shot. Thistle 1, Athletic 0.

After fifteen minutes of fast, though ragged play, with much wild kicking, Campbell netted for Thistle, when he followed up fast, taking the Athletic defenders by surprise. Thistle 2, Athletic 0.

Knight had a great opportunity to add yet another goal to Thistle’s total when he ran in strongly from the left, but shot wide from a good position with only the goalie to beat. Half-time came with the score unchanged. In the second spell a change took place in the Thistle team, M. Cuthbert replacing Meachen, who was suffering from an injury. Soon after resumption Campbell initiated a nice movement when he gained ground with a good run, being penalised when about to transfer to Fergusson. Smith made a brilliant save five minutes later, when Twort came to light with a well aimed diive. Athletic rallied, and the forwards, fed nicely by the backs, carried all before them to Thistle territory, where a tussle ensued round the goal mouth The ball eventually went to Edridge, who was unlucky to kick behind. Immediately afterwards Thistle retaliated determinedly, the Athletic defence being sorely tested, though Smith in goal gave his side relief with a hard kick Thistle pressed strongly, keeping their opponents fighting hard to defend their citadel, Mansell and Devereaux being conspicuous on defence and Fergusson came very close to netting with a header from a nicely placed corner taken by Hughes. Thistle were rewarded when Twort caught Smith, the Athletic goalie, in possession while he was lying on the ground, booting the ball out of his hands into the net

Thistle 3, Athletic 0. Athletic attacked vigorously, Edridge breaking away on the left wing, but he was tackled nicely by J. Cuthbert. The Athletic side was playing eagerly enough though they could not make much impression on the opposition through a lack of combination and team work generally. Thistle, on the other hand, made good use of their opportunities, the forwards cutting holes in the defence with good combined play. During play in Athletic -territory, Campbell placed a beautiful high shoat from just inside the half-way line. Smith was safe, however, taking the ball on the full, neatly evading Ferguson, who rushed up in an effort to goal. Shortly before the final whistle, Ferguson slipped one past the goalie from close range, but he was given offside. Give and take play ensued to the end of the match. Mr J. Patterson was the referee.

DU FEUS HAVE DAY OUT

BROTHERS SCORE SEVEN GOALS Y.M.C.A.’S EASY WIN OVER CELTIC The match between Celtic and Y.M.C.A. was played at Victory Square on Saturday afternoon. Celtic fielded a very weak team and paid the penalty, the four Du Feu brothers having a day out, scoring no less than seven goals between them. The teams lined up as follows: — Celtic: Sann izzaro. Ward, Coxhill, McMillan, J. Mackie, Large, G. Mackie, Pauling, McWhinney, McLaren. Potts. Y.M.C.A.: Kirby, O Du Feu, Guthrie, Banks, Hobern, Richards, Mead, J. Du Feu, F. Du Feu, A. Du Feu, Eastabrook. Y.M.C.A. kicked off and play at once centred around the Celtic goal, where Eastabrook was just wide with a nice shot. From 'he kick out the ball was passed with bewildering rapidity by the three Du Fea forwards, exhausting the Celtic defence. They put on five goals in about 20 minutes. After this Y.M.C.A. took things a little easier, and Celtic endeavoured to open their score. J Mackie sent in a fine shot just over the bar and then McWhinney gave Kirby a hot sh to stop, which he did in his usu?. cool manner. Half-time arrived with no addition to the score - YM.C.A 5 Celtic 0. Upon resumption of the game Y.M.C.A tried a new movement. F. Du Feu finishing it off with Number 6 goal. Celtic then attacked and Coxhill hit the post with a fine drive, and a little later McWhinney, from close in, skied one over the bar. Eventually from a well-placed corner by McWhinney Coxhill headed in. Celtic 1, Y.M.C.A. 6. More fine combination by the Y.M.C.A. forwards saw Eastabrook finish off the movement by shooting well wide of Sannazzaro. Celtic made another breakaway when Mackie sent the ball to Potts, who finished with a neat angle drive, which struck the post and went behind. Just before the end of the game. Mead made a brilliant run on the Y.M.C.A. right wing, finishing with an ideal centre which J. Du Feu headed into goal There was no further score; Y.M.C.A. 8. Celtic 1. Mr J. Guy was the referee.