ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19721, 22 August 1927, Page 13

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

CHATHAM CUP CONTEST. PONSONBY DEFEATS' WARO. VICTORY BY FIVF GOALS. The North Island series of Chatham Cup matches was advanced another stage at Blandford Park on Saturday afternoon when Ponsonby. winners of the Auckland section, defeated W T aro Wanderers, of Hikurangi, winners of tho North Auckland competition, by 5 goals to 0. Ponsonby will now meet Rotowaro, of Huntly, winners of tho South Auckland section, for the right, to contest the North Island final with the champion Wellington club team. The ground for Saturday's contest showed no improvement, and, if anything, was worse than at any other time this season. There were about 1000 spectators. The Ponsonby team wore armlets out of respect to Mr. J. Courtice. club trainer, who had suffered bereavement in the loss of his wife. Ponsonby wa3 much the better team. The players showed more understanding, combining well, considering the conditions, and keeping 1;h£"ball in their possession as much as possible. The losers playod hard and persistently and deserved a couple of goals for the bad luck they had. All tho Ponsonby forwards played well, Innes and Tomilty being the leaders, while Wright held the team togethor at centre-half and was always a thorn in the side of tha opposition. Both backs were strong in defence and Watts saved some spectacular shots. One of the best Waro forwards was Ackers, but the line lacked Bting and met trouble when it ran up against the opposing defence. McGeachie played fair football at centre-half and was aided by his supports, but all three were kept under by Ponsonby's bustling play. The defence failed under heavy pressure and had to work very hard from start to finish. Ponsonby Soon Scores. Five minutes from the start a movement was inaugurated by Tomilty and Bell and Hunter, who carried on, squared into the goal-mouth, where Bell gave Smith no chance with a swift ground shot which put Ponsonby 1 up. ■ For some minutes play was fairly even. Ponsonby held the upper hand and, except for occasional dashes by Waro, confined play to the visitors' territory. Innes then secured and smart dribbling took him we US into tho Waro goal area, where he easily scored Ponsonby's second goal. Waro was doing its best to score and one rush on the right flank would have ended in success but for a fine save by Watts. Rigby and Ackers made a promising breakaway and Shepherd was again within an inch of scoring from a corner kick Pickett headed clear, but it was not long before Waro was hammering at the Ponsonby goal again and Watt had busy moments. The backs raised the siege and the forwards retaliated with a rally from which Mooney just failed to score. Adshead. Tomilty and Innes were nearly through, and Smith was on his knees to clear. Then Adshead rattled in a centre but Hunter, on the other wing, shot too high. Nearing tho interval Ponsonby, who had been in a very sound position for some time, had to fall back to forestall attacks on both wings. Both failed and the halftime score was:—Ponsonoy, 2; Waro Wanderers, 0. Fruitless Visiting Ofiensive.

The Ponsonby goal was subjected to a great offensive soon the second half began. Watts ran out to nave, but his risK was not justified and only the desperate defence oi the backs saved the situation. Bell, Hunter and Wrifebt were prominent tor Ponaonby. Ackers and Baugh tried to outwit Wright, but the centre-tiaii was too solid. in the mud and alush it was most dimcult to maintain a foothold and control the ball with any sense of certainty, but there were some really good interludes. Humorous incidents were many. One of the best Waro movements ended m Ackers shooting nard at Watts, who just managed to turn the ball round the goal. Ponsonby eventually broke through again and after a good dash down the centre Innes found an empty goal and put his side three up. ' Another Ponsonby rally saw Tomiity trap and shoot cleverly. Wilson diverting the leather into his own goal. Victory had * Ol *g since faded as far us W aro was concerned, but everv eflort for a score was made. However it was not to be and instead of the visitors receiving their reward Ponsonby secured a fifth goal when Hunter shot right between Smith's legs into the_ net. A sixth goal u'«3 headed in a minute later but Bell was penalised and the score was disallowed. The final score was:—Ponsonby, 5; Waro Wanderers, 0.

THISTLE-NAVY CONTEST. MATCH ENDS IN A DRAW. The club championship match between Thistle and Navy Depot provided a surprise in the maimer of the Navy team s Bplendid performance in playing a drawn game. Thistle was without Kay, Ilislop and D. Stewart. Webb and Sharpies were the new recruits, and they acquitted themselves fairly satisfactorily. . . The Navy carried play into Thistle territory and never let up in its attack. Fine play by the centro-half. Reid, a new player, was largely responsible, while the inside forwards were also on their game. For Thistle Cumming paved the way to dangerous attacking movements with excellent crosspasses. Christie and Carter were in good form and the defence survived many assaults, although it was far from being impregnable. The Navy right wing was first to raise hopes but the players found trouble when they encountered the Thistle rearguard and the ball, was returned. After Christie had missed an excellent chance close in Webb took a pas 3 from Cumming and scored easily In a Navy counter-attack Meynell had plenty of time to shoot, but from 3yds. out he missed tho simplest of goals The Navy goal had to stand the severest pressure, maintained for some time, but. when relief came, the Navy forwards battered at the Thistle defence until Rivers netted When Thistle paid a return visit Dunsmore scored nicely The football was good in view of the circumstances and there was much excitement as the Navy failed narrowly on numerous occasions. Zoull had to be on the alert but saved in good style. The half-time score was:— Thistle. 2: ISavy Depot, Soon after the second spell begun Rivers nearly scored his second goal then Black equalised. The Navy coalkeeper. Wilding, had the crowd highly amused as his mud-stained face peered from between nn opponent's legs, and as he ran about eight steps in clearing. However, he was awarded a free-kick for dangerous play by an opponent. Thistle was undeterred and had bad luck in not scoring, Nevertheless, the defenders were reliable in spite of risks they took. .... Black caused a sensation by oeating the Thistle backs and dashing through with only Zoull to pass. He shot straight at the goalkeeper, who cleared. Then Rivers had equally good prospects but again the goalkeeper stopped the shot lust in time The antics, of Ihe players in the mud were screamingly funny. although they scarcely shared the spectators' humour as they wallowed in the slush, and were as near heing bogged as it is possible to be. Thistle, with Christie, Sharpies and Cumming prominent, rained shots on the Navy goal xvithout success. Reid. tho Navy centre-half, who nad been conspicuous and invaluable all through the game, was ever breaking up Thistle attacks atfid sending his forwards away. _ He was one of the stars of the contest. Thistle could not avoid the first draw of the season and when time was called tho scoto was:— Thistle. 2; Navy Depot. 2. JUNIOR COMPETITIONS. Junior grade Association football matches played on Saturday resulted as follows: Second Grade.—Manurewa. 3. v. Ivorth Shore. 1; Ponsonby. 5, v Metropolitan. 4; Birkenhead, 4. v. Newmarket. 2. Third Grado.-New Lynn. 1, v. Metropolitan. 0; Rangers. 10. v. Eden Rovers. 1; Richmond. 3, v. Kiwi, 1; Onehunga. 8. v Mount Albert. 2. „ Fourth Grade.—Y.M.C.A. A. 2, v. Burnley, 1: Belmont. 8, v. Carlton, 0; Onehunga. 2, v. Comrades, 0- Tamaki, 3, v. W.Y.M.I 1; New Lynn, 3. v. Thistle, 0. Fifth Grade.—Tamaki. 2. v. Comrades A. 1 • W Y.M.1.. 12, v. Belmont. 1; Comrades B. 3,' v. W.Y.M.I. B. 1; Y.M.C.A. B. 3, v. Northcote, 0. , Sixth Grade.—All Saints. 2, v. W.Y.M 1 0: Belmont. 6, v. Y.M.C.A. B, 1; Comrades, 3, v. Northcote. 0; Carlton. 9, v. Mount Albert Grammar B. 0. „ . Seventh Grade.—Comrades. 4, v. Y.M.C.A. A. 4; Belmont B, 3. v. Comrades C. 0; Metropolitan, 7, v. W.Y.M.1., 1. Secondary Grade.—Technical A, 2. v. Mount Albert, 1: St. Stephen's. 3. v. Technical B. 1.

GAMES IN CHRISTCHURCH. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] CHRISTCHURCH. Sunday. Soccer football matches played in Christchurch yesterday resulted as' follows: Nomads, 3, v. St. Albans, 0. Western won from Kaiapoi by default.