ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19122, 14 September 1925, Page 12

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

THE SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP.

NORTH SHORE STILL LEADINGROYAL NAVY'S SURPRISE WIN. The Auckland Football Association's senior competition was advanced another stage on Saturday afternoon when the two principal contests were decided at Blandford Park. Interesting games were the order of the day, notwithstanding that the playing pitches were very sodden after heavy rain. North Shore continued their victorious career, defeating Ponsonby by a singlo goal, scored early in the first half. As was anticipated, Ponsonby fully extended their opponents, although North Shore would have been decidedly unlucky had they not won. Tho early game at the park between Northcoto and Royal Navy provided a finish that bordered on the sensational. Although a man short the suburban team jumped quickly into their stride, and in the first spell could not go wrong. When tho interval arrived they were four goals up and victory seemed assured. However, tho sailors showed a wonderful reversal of form in the final session. Playing with groat determination they overhauled their opponents' score, passed it, and finally ran out victors by 6 goals to 4, The Navy's centre-forward, Merritt, gave a grand display, registering three fino goals. Qn tho Outer Domain the ThistleY.M.C.A. match provided a strenuous encounter. The issue was in doubt right to the final whistle, and victory went to Thistle by 3 goals to 2 in the last moment of play. On an adjoining ground Tramways also had a narrow victory over Heilaby's, the scores being exactly the same as in the Thistle-Y.M.C.A. match. For tho winners, Davis (2) and Copeland scored. Details of the scores are as follows: — North Shore, 1 goal, beat Ponsonby, 0. Thistle, 3 goals, beat Y.M.C.A., 2, Royal Navy, 6 goals, beat Northcote, 4. Tramways, 3 goals, beat Hellabys', 2. NORTH SHORE Y. PONSONY. Winning tho toss and playing toward the Bridge goal North Shore gained the initial advantage by a smart move on their right wing. B. Woolley turned tho ball to centre and Palmer sent past with a first-time shot. From tho goal kick spirited retaliation by Ponsonby saw Innes and Kennedy get away in a likely move, but Jones robbed them of the ball" and roturned it to his own front line. . , , Play continued fast and interesting, first one goal and then the other being the scene of action. Both goalkeepers were tested, for despite the creasy conditions the shootinpt was well on the target. The North Shore forwards had settled down more quickly than thoir opponents had, Ponsonby's attack seeming to look the cohesion which characterised it on the previous Saturday. During one of North Shore s raids, Bradshaw, on the left, sent in a high pass to centre J. Woolley topped it across to Dacre, who shot hard and true,, Hall, the Ponsonby goalie, fisted the ball •away, but J. Woolley was through like o flash to get the rebound and breast it into the net, North Shore wero one up. $ Even ' play followed with tne Ponsonby forwards givirfg a better account of themselves, while Jones, Gerrard and Corbett in the North Shore bocks distinguished themselves with clever deforce. Swinging the ball obput freely, and well supported by Neeshaffi, the Ponsonby pttaok persisted. Innes was unfortunate with a shot that went just too high at the ond of a wellexecuted movement. North Shore then began to take a hand at pressing, and Hall, in goal, executed a brilliant save from Bradshaw at the expense of a corner which proved fruitless. Long passing became the order as the ball was carried quickly from end to end. Ponsonby were making strenuous efforts to wipe off their defioit but stubborn defence kept them out and the interval arrived with the scores: North Shore, 1; Ponsonby, 0, On resuming, the Ponsonby forwards raced away in a pretty, concerted move that reached North Shore's back line. Corbett was bustled for a moment but Cheeseman sent the ball too far forward and Gerrard came to tho rescue with a hefty clearing kick. Then a counter-move by North Shore resulted in a prolonged onslaught on Ponsonby's goal until Morrison and Williums staved off the attack by smart defensive work that was warmly applauded by tho supporters of both sides. As play progressed North Shore again began to dominate matters however, palmer, with a great spurt, was olmoat through on one occasion, Williams bringing off a rather lucky save. Then Ponsonby turned defence into attack by medium of Ahorn who made a smart passage down the wing and centred. The move looked like being successful when Innes and Adshead took a hand, but Gerrard again proved to be the stumbling block. Then, Innes raided the North Shore goal by a spectacular solo effort, but this came to grief through lack of support. Even play at midfield prevailed for »ome time, with neither side being able to force an advantage. Ahern, who was playing well for Ponsonby, was injured in a collision with Corbett but was soon able to return to the field. Every moment of the remaining time was hotly _ contested, but neither side could improve its position and a stirring contest was brought to a close by the final whistle, with the scores:— North Shore .. . - . . 1 Ponsonby .. ~ ~0 Mr, A, E. Caisley was roferee, ) ROYAL NAVY AND NORTHCOTE. Although playing a man short Northcote were quick to take the offensive. First attempts to score were repulsed by the Navy defence, but it was not long before Knott got an opening and shot successfully, giving Northcote the initial lead. The reverse stung Navy to quick retaliation. 4 sweeping forward rush overwhelmed the Northcote defence and an express Bhot from Merritt looked su:ro to equalise. but Chesney saved in brilliant style, Further Navy attaoks followed ouiiokly without success. On one occasion Buck wall in a splendid position to soore but shot too high. Northcote then began to dominate play in all departments, and a bombardment of the Navy goal followed. 801 l cleverly evaded the defence and sent in a clinking shot which beat Tucker and put Northcote two goals in the lead. The noxt score came from the right wing. Receiving the ball from Thompson, McDonald put in a great run and finished it off with a splendid shot that found the net. Northcote wero three* up. Although the score wos mounting against them tho Bailors continued to fight hard every inch of the way. Often they were within striking distance, but the forwards lacked finish. Another Northcoto attack saw the ball hang dangerously round the Navy goal. Bell got an opening and made no mistakes from closo range. Half-time arrived with the scores four to nil in Northcote'a favour After a quiet oponing, play in the second spell began to see Navy doing more attacking, but weakness in front of coal spoiled their efforts until a nice passing movo gave Merritt a chance. He drew the defence and sent on to Woolley. A good .shot from the latter beat Chesney, reducing Northcote'# lead. From the kick-off Navy wore soon on the job again. Baxter mado a olever opening for Merritt who executed a fine individual move and capped it with a stinging drive that found ha net amid applause, Now playing in great heart, the sailors continued to bustle the opposing backs, and it was not long before Warwick had added another goal to their tally, making .the scores: Northcote, 4; Royal Navy, 3. As play progressed Northcote began to feel the handicap ot having only ten men, and their opponents kept the suburban team hard on tho defence. Merritt brought the scores level with a hot shot, after trapping the ball beautifully from a oentre. Chesney got to the ball but could not hold it. Excitement became intense with tho score at 4 all, and utrenuous play saw the ball carried quickly from end to end. A freekick for ' hands against Thompson, gave Baxter,a chance, and he put Navv in the lead with a splendid drive. Northcoto strove pluckuy to pull the game out of tho fire, but although they went very close on several occasions thev could not score. Before the end came Merritt landed his 'hud troal for Navy, and a great g»mo ended with the scores:— Royal Navy ~ ~ .. .. fi Northcote .. ~ ..4 Mr. J. Ball was rofereo CANTERBURY BEAT OTAGO, [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION. ] DUNEDIN, Saturday. .Despite wet and cheerless conditions the Association .football match between Otago and Canterbury for the Peter Dawson Cup extracted an attendance of about 2000, For the first time sinoe the presentation of the cup it passes out of the hands of Otago, the match bair.gr won by Canterbury by 3 goals to 1. The visitors showed themselves distinctly superior in tactics and finish to Otago, but this superiority ,vvas much less marked in tho uecond spell thp-n in the first. For the winners goals were Bcored by Trotter (2) and Nome. Otago's goal was scored by Fraaer. A. Preston referocd.

KNOCK-OUT COMPETITION.

FIFTH DIVISION. SEMI-FINAL. Belmont, 5, beat -Tewton, 1. Northcoto, 3, beat Tainaki, 0. SIXTH DIVISION. North Shore A, 4, beat W.Y.M.1., 0. Comrades A, 4, beat Carlton, 1. Belmont A, 3, boat Muiint Albert Grammar. 2. North Shore B, 11, beat Belmunt, 0. SEVENTH DIVISION. SEMI-FINAL, Carlton A, 3, beat Balm <nt A. 1. Comrades A, 7, beat Bel'jtout B, 0. Y.M.C.A. BOYS' LEAGUE. In the of the junior championship this afternoon Celts, nil, drew with Rivals, nil.