ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19655, 6 June 1927, Page 13

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

CHATHAM CUP CONTEST. THREE MATCHES DECIDED. TRAMWAYS AND SHORE DRAW. Stirring football was seen on Saturday afternoon when the Auckland Football Association decided three Chatham Cup knock-out matches. On the previous day Ponsonby beat Northcote by 2 goals to 1. There was a very good attendance at Bland ford Park and the spectators wore provided with a great drawn match between Tramways and North Shore. The result was a fitting ono, as it would have been hard luck for either side to have been beaten after such a splendid fighting contest. Their next meeting should prove a great attraction. Thistle defeated YM.C.A. easily and Onehunga accounted for Navy Depot comfortably. Detailed results are as follows: — Tramways, 1, v. North Shore, 1. Thistle, 4, v. Y.M.C.A., 1. Onehunga, 5, v. Navy Depot, 3.

A SPECTACULAR STRUGGLE. One of tho hardest struggles of the season was witnessed between North Shore and Tramways. Tlio latter -.team gave probably its best display of the season and held the younger team throughout, after scoring the first goal, to end with honours even. From star to finish the ball flashed about the field and excitement ran high. The scene of play wa3 constantly changing, through spectacular football, and the players were called upon to show all their resource. Tramways was the better side in the first half. In the second North Shore retaliated with markod dash, which, hoiyever. was met by excellent defence. Batty's goal-keep-ing being remarkable. From the commencement the game was contested with great spirit. Tramways soon had to face danger. Baxter. Woolley and Whitley sending iu hard drives which Batty and Simpson just managed to save. Tramways returned slowly and tho attack was ineffectual until 10 minutes after the start, when Spencer, who was unmarked, shot a Bplendid goal from 20yd3 out. The reply was an attack so sustained that tho next North Shoro goal by Baxter was not unexpected. In scoring the centre-half was aided by Whitley obstructing Batty's vision. Among tho North Shore forwards Whitley was frequently dangerous. Colebourne and Gerrard were very sound for North Shore, and were outplaying the unsteady Tramways' fullbacks. There was plenty of sting in the Tramways' left wing and McElligott, Tinkler, Dodds and Spencer were also in pood form. Twice Tramways was penalised for charges technically illegal. The score was one all at half-time.

Batty relieved from a tight corner and sent Tramways awu.y at the beginning of tho second half. Gerrard returned the ball and Bush was unlucky not to score. Spencer got his foot to the ball and narrowly missed. One of the most exciting moments of a fast game resulted from a clearance by Gerrard. Woolley, Bush and Jay combined and the last-named was prevented from scoring by a brilliant save by Batty, who conceded a corner. Matters were desperate for Tramways with tho North Shore forwards initiating sorties from all angles. Relief was very welcome, but it was not for long. Baxter, who was marking Spencer very well, placed nnd tackled surely, and was continually openiitg out the play. He had some great shots at the net. Batty saved three or four dangerous shots, Baxter. Cleal. Woolley and Whitley all trying to beat him. Tramways had now lost its dash and North Shore became active. Bush and Jay were away again, but, the hitter's screw shot was punched round the post by Batty. A swift reverse saw Dodds fail badly. North Shore's fierce attack could not break down tho stubborn Tramways opposition and a most exciting game ended in a draw.

THISTLE V. Y.M.C.A. By all-round superiority and with only ten men for the greater part of the game. Thistle scored an easy win over Y.M.C.A. The Y.M.C.A. forwards were below form, and should have scored far more than only once. Thistle's play was a mixture of good and bad. and tho winners should also have increased the score. Thistle had r the misfortune to lose the services of Zoull, the goal-keeper, a few minutes after tho start. His hip was injured and he had to retire. Ferguson went between tho posts and Thistle played ono fullback. Wurr missed tho mark, but Humphreys then found an opening and scored an excellent goal. Thistle's first goal whs a questionable one. Kay shot from the left wing and Baton cleared, but a linesman ruled that the goalkeeper was inside the goal. There was no doubt, about Thistle's next goal, which was wholly due to determined attacking by Kay. He beat the Y.M.C.A. backs badly and worried them so much , that tho ball hovered about the goal until W. Dewis miskickcu into the net. Y.M.C.A. nroused its supporters' hopes with a breakaway on tho left flank. Humphreys and Malcolm allowed fine opportunities to pass. Reid was very sure at fullback for Thistle and was more than the equal of the majority of the Y.M.C.A. forwards, who. if they did break through, failed with weak shots. The spell ended with Thistle leading by 2 to 1. Y M.C.A rushed into the 1 histle area from the re-start and Malcolm scored but he had handled accidentally nnd a freekick went against him. Y.M.C.A.'s goal was bombarded relentlessly and from a centre by Gumming. Kay drove hard nt the crossbar for the second time. A neriod of ragged football was eventually followed by another Thistle coal. The movement originated with Hislop and the bait went, from Kay to D. Stewart. who easily scored. Dunsmore and Kay had unsuccessful attempts at goal. Paton saving nicelv. Then Ciipaminnr nnd TCav nttneked. Tint tho goalkeener again saved. „ Humphreys dashed away for only to meet with trouble from Reid. Ihe ball went "long tbe lpff. wing until it right on the goal-line. Knv got, his foot to it anr] scored a beautiful goal from n rp r v difficult nnsrK The final score was:— Thistle. 4: Y.M.C.A.. 1.

ON EH UNO A DEFEATS THE NAVY. A hard first, half was a feature of the game between Navy Depot and Onennnga at Onehunga and the scores were even at half-time. In the second half Onehunga held the Navy forwards and attacked so well that Onehunga won by 5 goals to 3. McPhee and Cotton were absent from Onehunga's ranks and the Navy was also materially weakened. Tho first coal was scored by Navy. Gilmore beat Whowell, who slipped, and easily defeated the goalkeeper, Hallett. The teams played fast football and both goals were threatened. Onehunga equalised when Bentley placed well into the goal-mouth and Cheeseman found the net. Another goal was scored bv Onehunga almost at once. Miller, who had .a, number of attempts, eventually succeeding. Miles put the wavy on (he offensive and Walker scored. Rivers (hen scored for Navy and a few minutes before half-time Kimmo equalised to make the score 3 all. A good start in tho «econd_ spell put Onehunga, in the lead. Attacking with great vim tho eleven had the Navy players pressed and it was only a short timo before the defence broke down. Knott ana Terry were tho scorers. The score was kept from growing by the good saves of the Navy custodian. Wilding, and Iherp was no alteration when tho final whistlo was blown.

.7 UNIOR COMPETITIONS. Junior Rumes played on Friday and Saturday resulted as follows: — Second Grade.—Onehunga, 3, v. Metropolitan, 1. Third Grade.—New Lynn, 3, v. Ponsonby, 0; Richmond Wanderers, 2, v. Kiwi, 0. Fourth Grade. —Comrades, 2, v. Onehunga, 0: St. Stephen's, 2, v. Metropolitan, 1; Belmont, 8, v. Thistle, 0; Tamaki, 1, v. Eden Rovers, 0; Glen Eden, -1. v. Carlton, 1; Comrades, 2, v. Onehunga, 0; Ponsonby, 1, v. New Lynn, 0; Burnley. 3, v. New Lynn, 1; Burnley, 4, v. St. Stephen's, 0. Fifth Grade.—Onehunga, 7, v. All Saints, 0; Burnley, 4, v. St. Stephen's, 2; W.Y.M.L, 0, v. Tamaki, 0: W.Y.M.1., 2, v. Belmont. 0; North Shore, 3, v. Northcote, 0; Tamaki, 3, v. Comrades A, 0. Sixth Grade.—Carlton, 8. v. W.Y.M.1., 0; Tamaki, 3, v. North Shore, 2; Belmont, 3, v. Mount Albert Grammar, 1; Comrades, 1, v. Y.M.C.A., 0; Mount Albert Grammar, 1. v. All Saints, 4; Carlton, 8, v. W.Y.M.L, 0. Seventh Grade.—Belmont, 3. v. W.Y.M.L, 2: Belmont A, 4, v. North Shore, 0; Comrades A. 7. v, Y.M.C.A. A, 0; Belmont, 3, v. W.Y.M.L, 2; Northcote, 8, v. Y.M.C.A.. 2_

Secondary Schools.—Technical B. 10, v. Technical C. 0; Technical A, 8, v. Mount Albert Grammar School, 1; Mount Albert Grammar School, 2, v. St. Stephen's, 1; Richmond Road defaulted to Kowhai.

CONTESTS AT HAMILTON. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] HAMILTON, Saturday. Tho match between Hamilton Wanderers and Rotowaro was the main Soccer attraction at Hamilton to-day. Rotowaro secured their first win thiß setoson by 2 goals to 1, after a game which, in spite of the fact that neither side was at full strength, was always bright and full of interest. B. Dodds scored both goals for Rotowaro, and Corkindalo scored for Hamilton Wanderers. In a junior match Claudelands Rovers defeated Glon Massey by 4 goals to 1. Corkindale scored three goale and L. Phillips one for Rovers and G. Mclntyre scored for Glen Massiey. . . Hamilton East School, 2. defeated Whiticra. 0, Wobsler and Wallace beins the ecorers.

MATCHES AT HUNTLY.

[BY telegraph.—own correspondent. ] HUNTLY. Saturday. In Association football matches played to-day Pukemiro defeated Huntly Thistle by 3 goals to 1. The match Huntly *r. Frankton Railway was a drawn same, :ao score being registered by either team.

WELLINGTON AND DUNEDIN. [BY TELEC.RA.PH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON. Saturday. Association matches played to-day resuitedY.M.C.A., 4, v. Brooklyn, 2; In stitute, 1. v. Diamonds. 1; Thistle, 5, v. Seatoun, 3; Marist, 4, v. Hospital, 2.

DUNEDIN. Saturday. Soccer matches played to-day resulted as follows: —Seacliff. 6, v. Technical Old Boys, 4- Northern. 7. v. Y.M.C.A.. 1; High School Old Bojs, 2, v. Mornington, 1; Maori Hill, 0, v. Southern, ,0.