ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19709, 8 August 1927, Page 13

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

LOCAL CHATHAM CUP FINAL

THISTLE'S FIRST DEFEAT,

MARGIN OF SINGLE GOAL

The final of the Auckland section of the Chatham Cup soccer competition was played at 151 and ford Park on Saturday afternoon. The result was an unexpected victory for Ponsonby over Thistle, the undefeated club champions, by a single goal. Thistle lost the services of D Stewart, one of its forwards, early in the match, but, nevertheless, had the better of the contest. Three shots struck the Ponsonby crossbar, and besides, Thistle failed to score from a penalty shot. Ponsonby had its unlucky moments, too, but the general run of the game was m favour of Thistle. *

l'he other senior teams played a further round of the club championship, North Shore, Navy Depot and Y.M.C.A. being the winners. Moral victory in North Shore's ganjp rested with Tramways, which took the field a man short, and late in the second half, had only eight men left. Results are as follows: Chatham Cup Final. —Ponsonby, 1, v. Lhistle, 0. Club Championship. —Y.M.C.A., 4, v. Onehunga, 0; Navy, 6, v. Northcote, 2; North Shore, 1, v. Tramways, 0. - Following are the positions of the teams in the senior championship : Goals. Ch. P. W. D. L. L'\ A. Ha. Thistle . .. 9 9 0 0 31 8 18 North Shoro ..II 7 22 33 20 10 L'onsonby .. ]0 5 2 3 2(5 20 12 Y.M.C.A ... 3.1 4 3 4 28 33 11 Tramways ..12 3 4 5 19 20 10 Navy Depot ..11 4 2 5 35 29 10 Onehunga ..10 1 3 6 19 31 5 Northcote ..12 1 2 9 4H 4

THISTLE'S FIRST DEFEAT. Ponsonby was responsible for the sensation of the season by defeating Thistle. The undefeated champions were well held lj the winners in Iho early part of the game, and found Ponsonby's bustling tactics a handicap but as the contest progressed they settled down and had the advantage The forward combination was greatly impaired by the retirement of T). Stewart, and it is to Thistle's credi' that it performed so well with only ten men. Directly the match began Honsonby attacked strorfgly, and clever play by Adshead and Innes had the Thistle backs hemmed in Zoull had to save several times Reid eventually cleared to the left wing, and D. Stewart waiting his opportunity, dropped a t hot into the goal, but the ball bounced from the bar back into play It was some time before heavy pressure on Ponsonby's goal was lifted. Rapid exchanges followed, and then Innes broke away. He was supported by all his forwards, but Adshead shot too soon, and Reid saved This made way for another Thistle rush, and Dickson was the second man to find the bar with a shot. Soon afterwards he missert a great chance 3yds. out by mis calculating a centre from Cumming. D. Stewart twisted his knee and had to retire, leaving Thistle a man short. At the time the Ponsonby forwards were in a very good position, md were close to scoring, especially when Innes shot just wide of the post. Ponsonby had been holding its own surprisingly well, and had been on the offensive more than Thistle The latter team then rallied in great heart and bore down upon the Ponsonby goal. J. Stewart shot and Watts saved. Hislop dashed in from the left wing and drove hard, the ball bouncing from the bar end missing _ the net by inches. It was the third time this misfortune had befallen Thistle. There was no score at half-time. Ponsonby's opening rally in the second half was perilous for the defenders, until the goalkeeper was awarded a free-kick for dangerous play. Adshead was prominent in a but he wan unsuccessful, and only Zoull's anticipation twice in quick succ ?ssion prevented Innei and Moonev from scoring at very close range. Thistle's nr.viety was temporarily relieved, and the hall was briskly exchanged in Ponsonby's territory. Play became hard, and rwhen argument developed the referee called all the players together and delivered a brief warning. Dunsmore. Carter and Cumming played for position on Thistle's right wing, hut Williams defence caused Chrisfie to shoot wide. Wright, was playing soundly at centre-half for T onsonby, and his headwork was attractive. Morrison, Bell and Tomilty aroused enthusiasm with a smart run on the right, but the defence of Reid was equal to the occasion.

Both teams made valiant efforts to Ponsonby's finishing was weak, while Thistle was failing more through bad luck than lack of shooting-power. Adshead sent in a splendid centra, hut. as before. Reid was a stonewall. Back in Ponsonby'S danger zone the referee awarded Thistle a penaltv for " hands " bv Piekeit. Christie took the shot, which Watts stopned with a great effort. _ Ponsonhy flashed away, nnd a melee in Thistle's goal after Bell had fnntred saw Tomilty score. This was the sirrnal for n_ great outburst of cheering and wildly waving arms on tho part of Pon=r>"Hv*s barrackers. v Plav continued at a r&erry rate, with Thistle doing its best to avert its first r'nfeat of the sp.ieon. There was no further score, and Ponsonby won by 1 goal f o 0. _

NORTH SHORE AND TRAMWAYS. As in the case of Northcote and Onehunga, Tramways started its match -'against North Shore one man short. Play was very even at the start, and the ball hovered in mid-field for quite 15 minutes. Tho Tramways halves defended stoutly,'and were ouite equal to tho test applied by the North Shore forwards. Woolley was leading the majority of North Shore excursions, and missed three shots at goal. The four Tramways forwards combined as best they could, but Lipscombe had only once to clear. Batty was kept busy at the other end by Cleal, .Tay, .Tones and Moore. The match was being contested at a fast rate, fnd Tramways was soon back in the opposition's half. Spencer had a great, opportunity to score, but he sent, the ball over the North Shore bar. Two ( i minutes before the interval North Shore came back and Cleal shot straight at the bar Jay dashed in and gave Batty no chance of saving a shot from the rebound North Shore. 1: Tramways, 0. T-amwnys restarted, still with ten men. but had its full share of the play. Unfortunately. Tinkler had to leave the field with injuries. Lewis missed twice with splendid ground shots, and then Sim equalised with a beautiful shot from the wing Considering tho circumstances. Tramways, was holding its own in remarkable fashion The team's hones were further dashed, however, when McTCllisrott's knee failed and he had to retire This left Tramways with only eight men. and North Shore was able to overwhelm the defence. .Tay srorr"' with an excellent, long-range shot. McFUigott returned shortly before the end. but Tramways was thei a beaten team, although nor without a plucky fight. The final scores wero: North Shore. Tramways, 1

NAVY DEFEATS NORTHCOTE. When Northcote took the field at Devonport. McDonald and Hall were absent, and we-e replaced by McGarr_v and Hart.. Treinain placing centre-forward. Miles, the Navy player, had not recovered sufficiently from his injury received in the matchagainst Canada to play. Nortncote launched severa' attacks. Wellbourne chiefly worry ing the Navy and testing the goalkeeper often Navy then showed up. and one rapid attack by Reid Gilmore and Scott ended in the last-named scoring. Another goal was secured by 'the Navy soon afterwards, Smith sending the opposi tion back and making tho opening for Walker to score off a pass from Black. At half-tjme the scores were: Navv 2; Northcote, 0.

Nort.hcoto took some time to open its score. The goal was secured by Thompson The Navy retaliated with two goals in succession. Gilmore and Black being successful, NavyY lead was reduced when Tremain shot a penalty goal. which proved to he Northcote's last. A long period of evoft piny ended in Milne scoring the Navy fifth goal and near the end of the match the sixth and final score was obtained. This was a lucky one. the ball rebounding off the goalkeeper into the net The final scores were: Navy, 6; Northcote, 2,

ONEHUNGA WELL BEATEN. Starting two men short, Onehunga was never able to cope with the variety of Y.M.C A.'h attack, and was beaten by four rronls From the start the losers had to defend Goodmnn was strong on the wing for Y M O.A. and centred a nice pass for fltimphreys lo score easily. The' Onehunga h/icka could not lift the siege, and Humph reys scored the second goal The arrival of Smith gave Onehunga ten men, and the suburban team was able to hold 118 own more readily. However, the Y.M.C.A defence was too sure, and the ball returner' 'o Onehunga's territory, where the YM OA. forwards combined effectively, and ■lft.er Hnllett had saved a hard shot from Dick, Humphreys performed the " hat trick." Onehungn's complement wns strengthened hy the arrival of Forsyth, hut Y.M.C.A still led by three clear goal? it half-time. The lenders improved their position still rno-e nt the opening of the second hri'f. Wnrr getting possession and scoring with a low driye. Thereafter, Oneliunen's defence improved, and the forwards made

several useful runs, which were only repulsed by Miller, the Y.M.C.A V goalkeeper. Nimmo was prominent in these movements. Efallett then had hi 3 turn in Onehunga's goal, and had to save several hard shots. Nearing the end, Humphreys and Cotton, of Onehunga, were ordered off. This robbed the game of any further interest. Y.M.C.A. thus won by 4 coals to 0.

JUNIOR COMPETITIONS. Results of junior grade Association football matches on Saturday are as follows:Second Grade.—Metropolitan, 3. v. Tainaki, 1; Northcote, 4, v. Kiwi, 1; Manurewa, 2, v. Onehunga, 1. Third Grade.—Onehunga, 4, v. Richmond. 2. Fourth Grade. -Comrades. 2, v. Burnley. ■2; Belmont, 3, v. Eden Rovers, 0; W.Y.M.I . v. Y.M.C.A A, 2. Fifth Grade. Comrades. 4, v. Y.M.C.A. A, 1; Comrades B, 3, .v. Y.M.C.A B, 0; Comrades C. 0, v. All Saints'. 0: \V.Y.M.I. 3 v Northcote, 0 Sixth Grade.— Y.M.C.A. A, 2, v. Belmont, 0; Tamaki. 3. v. Mount Albert, 0; All Saints 0, v. Northcote, 0; Comrades, 2, v. North Shore 2: Carlton. 4. v. Y.M.C.A. B. 0 Seventh Grade.—Belmont A, 4, v. Comrades A, 4; Y.M.C.A. A. 8, v. Tamaki, 0; Homradeß C, 5. v. Northcote, 0; Y.M.C.A B. v. Belmont, 0. Secondary Schools. -Second Grade: Technical A, 5. v Technical B, 0; Mount Albert Grammar A, 4, v. Kowhai. 0.

SECONDARY SCHOOLS FINAL

MOUNT ALBERT GRAMMAR WINS

Another epoch in the history oi the Association code in Auckland was marked on Saturday morning, when the first secondary schools' championship final, between Mount Albert Grammar School and Tech nic.nl College, was played at Victoria Park in Ihe presence (if about 200 spectators The boys gave a clever and bright exhibi tion. and the evenness of the teams may be judged from the fact that the only goal of the match was scored by Grammar in thr last minute A fast first halt was very evenly eon tested In the second spell Heals led Grammar and placed a perfect centre which Layzell headed behind. The pace- wag severe and there was not the slightest °ign of weakening on either side. Bankier *ent Williamson away and he sprinted down the line and centred to Bartley The centre sot his toe to the ball and drove for the Grammar sroal but Gunson was equal to the occasion and saved at the expense of a corner which proved fruitless The spec tators were kept on their toes with excite ment as the Knll flew from one end of the field to the other, and it was only the ex cellent defence that stopped a score hein<r registered

■Tust on time Healy received a nice pass from Read, who was playing a great game. He pnss?d to Bellamy, who sent in a sting ing drive which rebounded off the crossbar The diminutive Webb, following up at a great pace, scored from close range, givin? Jackson no chance. The whistle sounded almost immediately afterwards with the score:—Mount Albert Grammar. 1: College, 0.

REPRESENTATIVE CONTEST.

AUCKLAND NOMINATIONS

The first, of a series of interprovincial matches for the English Football Association trophy will he played at Blandford Park next Saturday between Wellington and The sole selector, Mr. A. P Keesham has chosen the following 15 players to train for selection in the Auckland eleven:—Batty (Tramways). Gerraxd 'North Shore), Reid (Thistle)., Ferguson (Thistle). Carter (Thistle). Christie •'Thistle) Tones (North Shore)., Dickson (Thistle!. Innes (Ponsonby), 'Dunsmore (Thistle). Humohreys (Y.M.C.A.). Spencer (Tramways), Hislop (Thistle). Miles (Navy Denot). Chalmers (South Auckland). The players will practise at Blandford Park to-morrow evening.

WELLINGTON V. AUCKLAND

SOUTHERN REPRESENTATIVES

[BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON Sunday. Tho following is the Soccer team to represent Wellington against Auckland, at Auckland, on August 13: —Goal, Torrant; backs. Gibb and McGirr: halves, Trott, Thomas (captain) and Burke; forwards. Barton. Dickenson. Anton. Marchment. Hamdon.

GAMES IN THE SOUTH. [BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON. Saturday. Soccer matches at Wellington to-day resulted : —Chatham Cup: Y.M.C.A., 3. v Pel one, 1; Diamonds, 5, v. Institute, 2 First division: Marist, 5, v. Johnsonville, 0; Thistle and Seatoun a draw, 3 all. CH' RIS T CHURCH, Saturday. Soccer matches played at Christchurch today resulted:—Nomads, 3, v. Villa, 2; Western, 2, v. Technical, 0. DUNEDIN. Saturday. Soccer matches played at Dunedin today resulted:—Morning-ton. 2. v. Seacliff. 0; Maori Hill. 10, v. Technical Old Boys. 1; Northern, 2, v. High School Old Boys, 2; Y.M.C.A., 2, v. Southern, 2.