FLEET "SOCCER" MATCHES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18713, 20 May 1924, Page 4

FLEET "SOCCER" MATCHES.

PLAY OF HIGH STANDARD,

OUTSTANDING LOCAL PLAYERS.

Interest in the " (soccer " code of football received a great impetus during Fleet Week. Games" of high standard were played nearly every day, and many Aucklanders received their first introduction to contests: played with the round ball under very favourable and impressive conditions. Added to this was the distinguished patronage, of the Governor-General, ' the Prime Minister, the Minister for Education, and the Mayor. A ■word of congratulation should be given to the local executive. All arrangements were exceptionally well carried out, both from the point of view of the public and from that of our Naval visitors. The management is. now in excellent hands, and the days when an Auckland representative team turned* out at the Domain to play a Brown Shield match without a ball are over and done with for good. It was a. happy thought that prompted the presentation, of gold-mounted greenstone pendants to members of the squadron team. They were handed over last Friday night by Mr. H. S. W. King. The Auckland selectors are very pleased with the way in which their team performed against the squadron last Friday. Simm was. in the writer's estimation, the only weak spot. He just will not take the risk of being charged over by the opposing rollback, and consequently loses many excellent chances. To his credit it must be said that this weakness is not nearly so noticeable in club games. He has really never been up to club form in a representative m Corbett got right back to His old form in the return match with the squadron, and played a sterling, game. His goal; was a, beauty, while' his tackling and placing left nothing to be desired all through. Neesham and Kane were also good in the half line. The latter is always sure of his place in an Auckland team if he can , reproduce the performance given. All the other forwards gave a good display Knott showed great improvement on the first game, while Dacre upheld his reputation for pulling a ,game out of the With the visit over, local players and enthusiasts will turn once more to the club competitions.