ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19092, 10 August 1925, Page 12

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

BROWN SHIELD CONTEST.

WELLINGTON BEATS AUCKLAND,

SIX GOALS AGAINST ONE. Tho Auckland Association football representatives lost the Brown Shield, and with it tho proud title of champions of New Zealand, when at Blandford Park on Saturday afternoon they were decisively beaten by Wellington, tho final scores being six goals to one in favour of tho visuors. Keen public interest was shown, nearly 5000 spectators attending, notwithstanding unpleasant yeatiier, with cold, heavy showers just prior to tho start of the match. .It. was anticipated that Auckland, who had hold tho Shield against all-comers since 1921, would be severely tested, but nobody dreamed of such an overwhelming defeat. On tho day tho home team was outclassed in all departments. Wellington Simply revelled in tho mud, and after the first 20 minutes never looked like losing. Thoir team work was splendid. With not a weak link in tho combination thoy executed brilliant movements with machine-like precision, and at a rattling pace. Their players were always in position, and tho work of both backs and forwards was sound throughout and invariably to a purpose, Auckland, on the other hand, lacked cohesion from the outset, playing like a. team without auy definite pian ot either defence or attack. Individually there were some splendid efforts and not infrequently several of the forwards indulged in likely passing bouts, but ou thb whole team work was a minus quantity. In justice to the losers it must be recorded that they had their share of bad luck. Injuries to Pickett left them with only ten men for tho greater part of the game, and twice, for a time, there were only nine Aucklanders on the field. In the first place, too, both the reserve fullbacks had to bo called on. Auckland Attack Early. Campbell won the choice of ends for Wellington and defended tho bridge goal. Auckland were early on the attack, Neeshatn placing nicely to Adshead, who. turned tho ball to centre, where Dodda was just blocked in time by Gibb. A corner to Auckland fo.iowed without result, and then McKee sont the Wellington forwards to the other end to see them force a similar advantage, and Cudby fail badly with the ttag-kick. 'lhe Wellington pressure continued until Neeshara and McElligott relieved tho situation. After an attempt to break through by Campbell had been frustrated by Bell, Auckland spurted on the riqihl with Dacro and Innea in the van. McGirr conceded a corner, but Campbell cleared and Cudby was off to tho other end to test Chesney for the first time. The goalkeeper cleared this and eevcrel further snots, which kept him fully employed for a few minutes. Play was brisk in spite of the slippery ground and greasy ball. Each goal was visited in turn. Tho Wellington forwards wero penetrating further than their opponents were, and were more dangerous when within striking distance. Auckland seldom got past the visiting back line, Gibb doing tho lion's share of the defence in the opening stages. Wellington's splendid team work was early apparent, the halfbacks, McArthur, McKee and Burke, rendering faultless support. Auckland continued to take their turn at attack, but found the defence of the visitors too stubborn to permit of penetration. The placing of the local halves, too, lacked judgment, the ball often being ih-directod and seat too far forward.

The Opening Score, Twenty minutes of tho time sped by without advantage to either side. Then McKeo, who was playing a grand game at centre-half for Wellington, initiated a clever attacking move. Nicnolle, on the right wing, who had been prominent throughout, received the ball and dashed down the line. Evading Jones and then McSlligott ho centred with precision. Ctidby nipped in from the other wing to score a good goal fwm close range. Wellington were one up. From the kick-off, Cudby was immediately aggressive, but sent behind. Then a determined counter-attack by Auckland w«s relieved br MeGirr, who transferred to the other end with a hefty kick, Wellington continued to force the pace, and during hot work in front of the home goal Pickett received injuries which caused his retirement for the rest of the game. Left alone in tho local back line, McElligott was defending stubbornly against odds. Ho frequently turned defence into attack, but although the Auckland forwards often swept down on their opponents' goal, there was no breaking through the Wellington defence. A smart move on the Wellington right ultimately boat t.he Auckland backs, and the ball was lifted to centre. Campbell received to shoot smartly. His first attempt was blocked by one of his ov/n men, but Campbell sent it back from the rebound to score a stinging goal and put tho visitors two in the lead. At this second reverse Auckland made strenuous efforts. Dodds put through for Dacre to follow ujj smartly and tap across to Palmer. The inside right sent in an Mpress shot to the right-hand corner of the net. 'Tested for the first time in 35 minutes of play, McVean msde a brilliant save. A few minutes later Wellington were back at the other end, where Lothian shot weakly past with the goal at his mercy. During retaliation by Auckland, Dodds was injured and had to retire, leaving his aide temporarily with nine men. Wellington were now dominating 'play and Chesnoy was tho central figure of activities for some time. He kept his end tin well until a mis-kick by Auckland's McElligott gave the visitors a corner. It was piloted to the goal-mouth, where Lothian headed a beauty, giving Wellington a three-goal lead. Dodds returned, but was obviously playing under a severe handicap, and Dacre took the centre-forward position. Wellington continued to have much the better of matters. From a centre, Cnmpbell beat. Bell badly, to score his second point with tt light-ning-like drive that hit just undur the cross-bar and cannoned into the back of tho net. Half-time arrived with the scores: Wellington 4 Auckland ~ v. 0 Tie Second Half. Auckland started off in promising: style when play was resumed. Palmer and Dacro were associated in somo smart work, which had Gibb and McGirr thinking, tho latter being forced to concede a corner, which, however, proved fruitless. Then the enorgetic. McKeo made yot another opening for Wellington. Ho sent Nichollo away on tho right, and a pans to centre followed. McElligott tackled Lothian and McElligott of Wellington, who appeared to be well off-side, dashed through to score practically unopposed. Wellington, 5; Auckland, 0. From tho kick-off, Neesham, of Auckland, went through to send in a long drive, which missed narrowly. Further Auckland attempts were staved on, and Wellington came again on tho right. A penalty was awarded against Bell, and Nichoue made no mistakes with the spot-kick, giving Wellington a lead of nil clear goals. Ensuing nlay saw Bell forced to retiro for a time, leaving the homo team two short lor another spell. Auckland continued to fight au uphill battle and aiter much offside plry by both sides, which tended to mar the game, McElligott placed a freekick nicely for Auckland. Palmer received and transferred to Dacro, who scored tho only goal for Auckland with a splendid shot. In the closing stages Auckland made ilrantio' ofiforts to reduce the big lead of the •visitors, but all to no purpose. Innes was continually prominent in the forwards, while among the backs. McEllisott wnj a host in h : mself. Tho final scores were: Auckland 2 Mr. F. J. Knightley was refereo. , After the gamo the Brown Shield was presented tr> the Wellington captain. Mr. Gecrge Campbell, by Mr. H. S. W. King, vic;-pr?si dent of tho Auckland Football Association. Mr Crmribeli suitably responded and cheers v/eio exchanged. JUNIOR MATCHES. TECHNICAL COLLEGE TEAMS. A match between tho Wellington ana Auckland Technical Colleges, played an » curtain-raiser to the Brown Shield game, ended in a draw, each side scoring two goslß, On Saturday morning tho B teams of the colleges tried conclusions, and this contest ano ended in a draw, the scores being one all. k I Y.M.C.A. BOYS' league. Rovers and Rangers drew, no score.'' Rivals. 3 goals, bent Celts, 1. Spurs, 2. beat Swifts, 0. WANGANUI BEATS MANAWATU. tB7 TIELEGRAPH.—OWN COHj ON DENT. | WANGANUI, Saturday. Wanganui ond Manawatu tried conclusions at Soccer to-day, a most interesting game resulting in ft win for Wanganui by four ?:oala to one. The visitors were the heavier earn, and were not able to adapt themselves so well to the holding gTound. At time play was oI a very high standard.

WIN FOR NORTH AUCKLAND

AUCKLAND B OUTCLASSED.

[BY TELEG It Al'll. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] WHANGAREI. Saturday. . The North Auckland Association football representatives deleated an Auckland U team by 1 goals to 0 u,t hlikuruiigi Hub attenioon. Ine Auckiaud team was oeiow the cinss expected by local supporters, liir< visiting loiwards lacked hnian, tueir Bhooting being noticenoly weak, and the North Auckland Uum outclassed them in every ment. Tub winners had the better ot the eschanges turougnout the match and were Beldom seri' Auckland attacked (torn tho kick-nff and Brydon almost notched a goa4, the ball striK12Kr the crosa-bar. .Liowevor# it \Kfis not lonrf beicre the local team was onthooUeiiaive. Ackers secured and passed to Booth, too outside left, who touud the net with a lonv, drive. The visitors were on the defence again shortly afterward. Kay roheved, but booth returned tho ball to Ackeis, who ''°A nd S pcctacutr dribbling effort by Ackers paved tho why for the third goal. Booth cleverly beating the goalkeeper Auckland then pressed and the local goa keeper had to "top two hard shots by White. North Auckland then. assorted themselves and the movement culminated in Ilellina goaling from a fine centre by Booth, making North Auckland's total 4. , . ~i. On resuming, tho visitors caused t in homo team anxiety, but the defenco stood tho test and the leaders wont to tho attack, McCullock made tlx most of an opportunity and added the fifth goal. Auckland carried play to within striking distance of the goal, Kinnard just stopping a hard drive by White. Tho visitors held their own for a time, but could not opon their score. North Auckland steadily assumed tho upper hand again. Burton and McCullock both scoring, and the game eudsd: North Auckland, 7; Auckland B, 0. WELLINGTON BEATS NAVY. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON. Saturday. At Soccer. Wellington defeated Royal Navy by 4 to 3.