ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19080, 27 July 1925, Page 12

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

A CURTAILED PROGRAMME.

MANY GROUNDS UNPLAYABLE.

NORTHCOTE AND Y.M.C.A. DRAW

Although the weather was fine on Saturday afternoon, the heavy rain of the previous few 'days had rendered most of tho grounds unplayable and tho Auckland Football Association was forced to postpone all senior games except one. Kc&a disappointment was expressed on all aides that tho local Chatham Cup final between Thistle and Ponsonby had to bo put off for a week.

The match played, betwoen Northcoto and Y.M.C.A.. took place on the Devonport Domain before a fairly large crowd of spectators. Here the playing pitch had dried remarkably well and a keenly contested flfcuio resulted in a draw, each aide scoring 4 goals. Both cluba fielded strong teams and. plenty of excitemont was provided. Getting right into their stride from the kick-ofl Northcoto spurted for their oppoents' goal. A fine parsing bout overwhelmed tho Y.M.C.A. defence and Iremain received in a handy position to shoot truly and put his side one up after a few minutes. Even play ensued for a time, Y.M.C.A. striving hard to retrieve this early reverse. After, the ball had been carried several times from end to end, walbran put in a smart run down the wing and centred. In attempting to clear L. Knott misjudged the kick and sent the Dan into his own goal, equalising the scores. Northcote again began to dominate play from the kick-ofl with W. .Knott prominent. Only good defence by Shenkin saved the situation and then Thompson of the subut ban team, went through to try a long drive which A. Lucas cleared i» good, style, .retaliation by iT.M.C.A. brought McClure into prominence and Chcßney, in goal, for Northcote, was several times tested to keep his charge intact. Quickly the scene of action shitted up and down the field. Fine individual efforts by the Y.M.C.A. attack often went close, but they were not as finished as tho Northcoto forwards who wera_ showing much better understanding. Eventually W. Knott made an opening for .the speedy Burford on the Northcoto left wing. With & great burnt of speed Burford outpaced the defence and went right into the goal. A brilliant effort was capped by a olihking shot which gave Lucas no chance to save. Half-time arrived without alteration to the scores. Northcote, 2; X.M.C.A., On changing over play remained keen but was less spectacular for a time, the defence of both eleven working effectively. After some even exchanges, McClure, who, in company with Walbran. was working hard for Y.M.C.A., got away in a cievdr solo run and sent in an express shot. Ches- . otoDiH'd it but could not get the ball away, and fast following up rushed it through the goal for an equaliser, urged on by their success Y.M.C.A. now began to force matters. Walbran headed a hot onslaught and passed in to Marshall who gave to Kemp in turn. The .outside left scored with a smart shot, putting Y.M.C.A. in the lead. Lively play became the order at this stage, Northcote exerting every ounce. . A Y.M.C.A. attack was repulsed by Hibcer* and W. Knott immediately invaded the loading team's area to miss by inches wita a great shot. Over-eagerness spoiled several promising moves by x.M.C.A., who were playing up to a man, but losing chances through getting caught offside. Then a determined effort by Northcote, helped on oy a free-kick, saw Trem&iu and Knott again within striking distance. The inside left shot swiftly. The ball cannoned off a defender into the Y.M.C.A. goal, making the scores three all. The issue was in doubt right to the final •whittle, and strenuous efforts to draw ahead were 'made by both sides. Tremain got another goal for Northcote, by brilliant following up, and McClure rendered a similar service to Y.M.C.A. a little later on. A good game conoluded with Y.M.C.A. attacking, and the scores:— Northcote .. .. ~ .. 4 ■Y.M.C.A < SECOND DIVISION, North Shore, 7, beat Onehungift, 0. " FOURTH DIVISION. Newton. 3, beat Tamaki, 1. Ponsonby, 2, beat Onehunga, 0. SEVENTH DIVISION. W.Y.M.1.,' 1, drew with Carlton A, 1. Belmont, 1, drew with North Shore, 1. CHATHAM CUP CONTEST. PUKEMIRO WINS DISTRICT FINAL. [bx ; telegraph.—own correspondent.] HAMILTON. Sunday. In the Chatham Cup district final Pukemiro met Rotowaro, on Saturday, av Hnntly, before the best gate of the season. Exchanges were exceedingly fast, especially in the opening period of tho game, during which Drinnan scored for Pukemiro, being left unmarked from a centre by Brown. Botowaro however, had quite as much of the play as their opponents, weak finishing in the forwards being noticeable, Garrick, from a penalty for hands, opened Rotowaro's account early in the second half. Mcßriar, Pukemiro, neatly headed a goal from a. well directed corner kick by Black. Pukemiro won by two goals to one. Play was very even but Rotowaro failed to grasp their scoring opportunities and on that account Pukemiro deserved their win. Beaumont and Garrick were noticeable for Rotowaro, the former playing a particularly fine game. Mcßriar and Drinnan were the stars of Pukemiro. Mr. Jas. Wallace, of Huntly, officiated as referae. Arising out of an incident on the field during the Wanderers v. Railways match .a week ago tho local executive had a special mooting oil Friday and as a result of their inquiry W. Eoborts (Railways) and W. Kennedy (Wanderers) were each suspended for one playing Saturday. WELLINGTON RESULTS. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, Sunday. Soccer results.—Final Charity Cup: Maritit, 5, v. Thistle, 1. Championship gamesY.M.C.A., 4, ▼. Hospital, —; Scottish Wanderers, 1, v. Institute, 1. Senior B: Victory Cup semi-final: Brooklyn, 8, v. Wellington Gas Company, 0; Y.M.C.A. C. 6. v. Y.M.CX B, 4. Championship game: Swifts, 3, v. Johnsonville, 2, CHRISTCHURCH GAMES. [BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] CHRISTCHURCH. Saturday. To-day's gamea resultedSunnyside, 2, v. Western, 0; Nomads, 5, v. Rangers, 1. DUNEDIN MATCHES. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] * DUNEDIN. Sunday. Soccer Matches.—Old Boys, 4, v. Kaitangata, 1; Southern, 3. v. Maori Hill, 1; Mornington, 4, v. Mosgiol, 3; Seocliff, 1, v. Northern, 0.