THE ASSOCIATION GAME.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17902, 3 October 1921, Page 7

THE ASSOCIATION GAME.

BROWN SHIELD RETAINED.

AUCKLAND BEATS S. AUCKLAND.

The Auckland Association football representatives successfully defended the Brown Shield against the challenge of South Auckland at the Devonport Domain on Saturday, -winning by 4 goals to 0. The play, which was on the whole clever and interesting, appeared ©at times to lack keenness, and this can be attributed to the weather, which was really too warm for football. The local team were not so decidedly superior as the score would indicate, the challengers having just as much of the play in their favour, but failing through a marked weakness in front of goal. The attendance of spectators was very disappointing, numbering little more than 1000. The result leaves Auckland in undisputed possession of the coveted trophy until next season, an honour which the local association has not had since 1910, The Play.

South Auckland won the toss, and elected to defend the northern goal, taking advantage of a slight breeze. A spell of even play followed tlie kick ofi. hoots, lor the visitors, eventu.uly setting the bail away cleverly to his forwards, who worked toward Auckland's goal, where a goal-kick resulted. Lucre was prominent in defence for Auckland, and after a few minutes of give-and-take play he pUced well to his right wing. Here Lanes and Hayes got going in a clever piece of combined play, which took them to withm shooting distance, where Alien brought ofi a fine save for the visitors. Auckland's right wing continued to work wflL, and after Craxton had saved a good skit from Webster, Corbett sent a clever j p.ise to limes. The outside right was! Quickly into his stride, and racing down the line centred with great judgment. In I the ensuing play in front of the visitors' goal a penalty kick was awarded against Allen, and Corrin scored Auckland's first goal with a shot that gave McCormack no chance to save. The reverse smartened up the South Auckland attack, and on resumingthey were soon in Auckland's twenty-five. Roberts relieved the danger, cleverly robbing his opponents of the ball, and sending a well-directed pass to lanes. The latter went on for some distance and then transferred to Treniain, who sent on to Williams. The outside left sent in a low shot from a difficult angle, which found the net, amidst applause. The closing; stages of the first half werß all in the visitors' favour, and only excellent defence by Dacre. Roberts and Craxton saved goaln against the home team. The visiting forwards appeared to be too eager to score, aad repeatedly their Bhots went wide. Frequently a welldirected shot was sent in, only to he Baved and cleared by Craxton, who was playing a faultless game in goal for Auckland. Halftime arrived with the score two to nil in Auckland's favour. The local forwards were quic*i to attack ; upon resuming. Hayes secured from the kick-off. and cleverly evading opposition, passed to Innes. the latter'a shot going just outside. Williams and Tremain then got going on Auckland's left, hut Roots cleared, i and Webster and Bwnett carried play to . the other end. where Craxton stopped a hot shot and Roberts cleared upfield. Auck- J land's centre forward. Hooper, was then prominent in a fine individual dash, going j through to the visitors' twenty-five, where j he passed to Hayes, who sent on to Innes. j The outside right sent in a high one, which McCormjck misjudged, and Auckland's' third goal was scored. At three down South ! Auckland tried hard to score, their forwards! all working hard, but the local defence was j excellent, cind the Auckland forwards were, soon back within shooting distance. Mo '■ Cormack performed well against shots from all angles, and Shand sent the hall out at i half-way with a good kick. Combining well, j the visitors returned to the attack. Ott i being unfortunate not to score with a splendid shot that missed by inches. Auckland's] fourth goal wa>< scored by Tremain. who I secured from Clanachan and shot success-1 fullv from 20yds. out. No further incident marked the spell, and the fini-l whistle | sounded with play at midfield and the score: I Auckland - . . 4 South Auckland 0 Petty Officer J. Thompson was referee. EVERTON WIN SECOND GRADE. A curtain-raiser to the principal match was played between North Shore and Everton to decide the second grade championship. After a fast and skilful game Everton finally ran out winners by two goals to nil. Both the winning goals were scored by O'Connor.