ASSOCIATION CODE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19626, 3 May 1927, Page 14

ASSOCIATION CODE.

FORM IN SECOND ROUND.

NOTABLE SCORING FEATS.

SATURDAY'S PLAY REVIEWED. Goalkeepers in Saturday's senior soccer matches iu Auckland had a busy time and were not altogether successful. In all four games there was an instance ol rcmai liable scoring; in fact, the two "bags" of four goals each and two individual hat tricks'" must, compare very favourably with any past instances of productive scoring. It could scarcely be said the goalkeeping was below standard. It was more a case of certain forwards being in deadly form. In the two rounds of matches played

this season football of the best type has been witnessed. On Saturday the better game at Blandford Park was that between Thistle and Ponsqnby. There was more combined play on both sides, more accuracy, and -the contest was so even that a draw would have been a fair result. Although Thistle was not up to its form of the previous Saturday when it defeated Tramways, the eleven nevertheless displayed plenty of cleverness. On the other hand, Ponsouby was a vastly improved combination from that which faced Navy Depot in the opening contest, and played so well that, it deserved better success than a one-goal defeat.

Thistle felt the absence of the Auckland representative, Kay, from his position on the left wing. His brother, Peter, who filled the vacancy, was below form and lacked the condition to partner Hislop satisfactorily. The substitute put his heart and soul into the game, however, and did his best. Hislop played with his usual consistency. The centre forward, Stewart,' again gave an excellent display, and was sound in all departments of the game. His goal in the first half was a beautiful effort. Duasinore also applied plenty of' zest to his game, and Cummings squaredthe ball into the goal-mouth from the right wing strith great certainty. « Carter was; perhaps the outstanding half by reason of his smart footwork and headv short passes to his supports. The latter qualification showed up a tendency of Christie and Dickson to kick too hard instead of playing to the man. Dickson was well in the limelight throughout the game and notched two goals. Both fullbucks accounted for many dangerous rushes, Ferguson being more prominent., while Zoull was generally reliable in goal. Booth's Consistent Scoring.

Booth was the Ponsonby scoring machine Jot the afternoon, and was one of those to perform the "hat trick." He was fast and demonstrated his ability to rattle in shots from the left wing with telling accuracy and force. Although he did not play a bad game the previous Saturday, hi« latest form came as a big surprise: Mconey, who has played for Plean .Junior;) in Scotland, was tried out at inside left. Ho was energetic but did not often come into prominence. Bell gave a satisfactory exhibition at centre, as also did the two right wing men, Ahern and Innes. The last-named created the best impression, working the line to advantage and being mere consistent than Ahern. The halfbacks had plenty tp do and survived the test with a good measure of credit. The centre defended solidly and placed reliably. Williams proved a stumbling block at left fullback, and hi:> play , overshadowed that of Pickett, who was too much inclined to seek rlelief in putting the ball but of bounds. Jack's display, was good and stood comparison with the goalkeeping of Zoull. Spencer Scores Four Goals.

In tiie Tramways-Navy ; Depot - match it was well info the second half before Tramways clinched its victory. This changed complexion of the game was brought about by Spencer's improvement as lime drew near. The centre-forward played excellently, and was always on. hand to take his passes or outwit the defence. 'As a result he obtained four of Tramways' five goals. The rearrangement of the front line improved Tramway's attack. . Lewis seemed-more at home on the right wing and worked better with Fvfie, Davis combined effectively with Spencer, and assisted in at least two scoring movements. Sini, was good in flashes, on the left wing.. The best half was Tinkler. Simpson was sure in the fullback division with his defensive play and powerful clearances. Navy Forwards Play Well.

All the Na.Vy forwards played well, but chief praise must go to Miles, the burly wing, whose footwork frequently nonplussed his opponents,, and whose aim at goal was a factor to bf. reckoned with. Miles looks to be more of the type of a back, but has shown that'he is always a fine forward.

Rivers helped him materially, and they co-operated nicely with Honfon, at centre. The other flank, Black and Pitcher, also did useful work. Pitcher was unfortunately weakened by. an injury in the second half, and had to ease up accordingly. The Navy pivot, Meynell, revealed pleasing form, being equally reliable whether attacking or defending. His certainty had a good influence on ihe> rest of the team, and can be advanced as one of the main reasons for Navy's fine showing. Lawrence ago,in acquitted himself with distinction as a fullback. Stearns, who was given a trial in goal instead of Eacock, was fair. He was up against a solid test with Spfineer at. the top of his form. Y.M.CI.A. v. Onehunga. The team fielded by Y.M.C.A. was an improved one in comparison with that which went down to North Shore on the previous Saturday. The reinforcements were Dick, at centrehalf, who played a splendid game, and Smith, an ex-Wellington representative, who created a very favourable impression with his tactics on the left wing. Hoban, the scorer of three goals for Y.M.C.A., camo into most prominence in the second half, when he was moved from centre- 1 forward to inside-left. Generally speaking, the forwards proved a speedy and promising lot. The two wing halves, Lewis and Rid dolls, were worthy of their promotion to senior football. The left-back, Otter, again did well, but received little support from Gebbie, his partner.

An outstanding display was given by the Onehttnga goalkeeper, McPheo, and he could not be blamed for the goals scored at his expense. In exorcising his judgment in regard to leaving the goal no evidenced a keen sense of anticipation. Whowell was the steadier fullback,, Brittain feeling the pace. The half line got through a good deal of work, the right- wing being most conspicuous. Or.ehunga's forwards were well marked, Cox, in particular, being given scarcely any opportunities by Dick to embark nix>n scoring expeditions. Mellor. on the left flank, was also vigilantly marked.

North Shore was too good for Northcote. but the game was nevertheless interesting. .North Shore owed its success mainly to clever play of lis halfline. which not only overshadowed the visitors' attack, but also, kent their own forwards almost continuously, en the move with a plentiful supply of judicious passes find solid hacking up. Wooley's opportunism was always a thorn in the .side of the Northcete. dofenders.

Xorthcftie gave the impression of being: a side \f)iieh has not yet knit together. and may prove harder to h?ar later :n the season. Individually thev were quite sormd. Jmt there was *3 lack of cohesion, especially in the forward lino.