ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19745, 19 September 1927, Page 13

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

THISTLE WINS CHAMPIONSHIP PONSONBY BEATS NORTH SHORE GAMES PLAYED IN THE MUD. The Auckland Football Association championship was decided at Blandford I Park on Saturday. The ground was a i sea of mud, and good football was out of i the question. Thistle had to play hard to defeat Northcote, and although it was [ the superior side throughout, the goals • did not come until the last few minutes. ) That Ponsonby is a much improved team i was fully demonstrated by its convincing j win over North Shore. The ground was ■ against the style of play adopted by the latter club, but the victory was so clear cut that it would be difficult to imagine a , reversal of form on any ground, i Hamilton and Auckland Technical Schools provided a curtain-raiser. Auck- • land proved victorious in a hard-fought game. The Ponsonby second grade team was too good for Birkenhead in the Dacre Memorial Cup, and ran out easy winners by 6 goals to 2. Canterbury defeated Otago by 3 goals to 1 at Dunedin, but on goal averages the English jFootball Association trophy is still retained by Auckland. NORTHCOTE V. THISTLE. Thistle was the stronger team in the opening stages of the gaine against .Northcote, whose goal was often in danger. Cummings made ground on the right wing, but his cross saw J. Stewart miss the easiest of goals. Keeping up the pressure Thistle did everything but sobre. The defence of Taylor, Hibbert and Stott prevailed, and after a long spell of pressure Northcote cleared. Lithgow, who was playing a sound game at left-half for Northcote, sent Burford away on many occasions. A smart attack by the Northcote forwards ended when a great effort by Thompson was smartly cleared by Zoull. The ball rebounded from the goalkeeper, but McGarry sent past. Thistle was soon back on the attack, and J. Stewart ran through in a solo effort, but lost control of the ball with only Stott to beat. The Northcote halves were overworked, and gave their forwards little support. Thompson got possession and sent | oxj to Hall, who was very near the mark with a fine drive from far out. the ball j just skimming the crossbar. Dixon put Thistle on the attack, and the Northcote goal seemed to bear a charmed life The strong defence of Taylor and Hibbert had the Thistle forwards bustled and many opportunities went begging, Kay and Dunsmore being very erratic when in good positions. Stott cleared convincingly when called on, and saved smartly from Duiißmore, J. Stewart and Kay. Except for an occasional rush by the Northcote forwards, Thistle continued to press, and shots from all angles were rained on the Northcote goal, but there was no score when halftime was called, j The second spell opened with Thistle I again on the attack, but the forwards I attempted too much close passing, and many fine chances were missed. Northcote rushed to the other end, and Thompson gave Willbone a chance, but he shot weakly past. Thistle was soon back again, and from a pass by Christie D. Stewart ran through', but was brought down by Hibbert. Thistle was awarded a penalty, but Ferguson was wide with the kick. A minute later Northcote gave Thistle a fright when Hall ran through, but he put the ball too far ahead and Zoull cleared. Thistle again forced the game, but the Northcote defence held. Stott cleared in convincing manner from Dunsmore and Cummihge. Keeping at it Thistle .stormed the Northcote goal, and only determined tackling and covering up by the defence averted a score. Erratic shooting by the Thistle forwards let Northcote down lightly. Kay missed an easy chance from a perfect cross by Cummings. A determined run by Burford lifted the pressure, but he failed to get the ball across, and Ferguson cleared. With only a few minutes to go Dixon got possession, and carried the ball well up before passing to Kay, who, after * beating two opponents, returned a perfect centre, which Dixon neatly turned into the net. Thistle, 1; Northcote 0. Thistle again attacked, and strong play on the -right saw Dunsmore finish with a good shot, whioh gave Stott no chance. The goals took nil the fight out of Northcote, and the game quietened down.. Time was called shortly afterwards with the score: Thistle, 2; Northcote, 0. PONSONBY V. NORTH SHORE. North Shore was first to be dangerous, but deal shot weakly past. At the other end Innes rushed off in a solo effort, and when pulled up by Jones, he sent out to Adshead, but off-side play spoiled a fine movement. Jones got iNorth Shore into trouble by hanging on to the ball instead of clearing. Ponsonby maintained the pressure, Ross was penalised for tripping Tomilty, and Mooney made no mistake With the kick, putting Ponsonby in the lead. For a time play was of an up-an-down order, with neither side dangerous. A miskick by Smith looked bad for North Shore, and Bell just missed from a fine cross by Adshead. Ponsonby assumed control of the game, and a cross by Hunter was deflected into the net by Rosa. Ponsonby, 2; North Shore. 0. A few minutes later Innes had a shot which just missed. Ponsonby had North Shore defending hard, and Tomilty went close to a score with a fast ground shot. North Shore eventually attacked, and clever combination by Cleal and Moore had Ponsonby in trouble until Wright cleared. At the other end a header from Innes struck the crossbar, and Gerrard cleared. Play Quietened down, the players finding it impossible to attempt any concerted movements. In a duel of long kicking Ponsonby maintained the advantage. A strong ran by. Cleal, Walters and Woolley had Williams in difficulties, but Bradshaw slipped when in a good position. Wright was playing a fine game for Ponsonby, and he continually broke up the North Shore attack. His placing was a feature cf the game, and his control of the greasy hall was remarkable. Watts had to handle from Woolley and Cleal in quick succession, but the shots lacked sting. Halftime wan called soon afterwarda with the scores: Ponsonby, 2: North Shore, 0. Ponsonby pressed hard on the resumption, and a cross by Adshead was turned into the net by Hunter. A minute later a fine run and cross by Bell saw Tomilty give Lipscomtie no chance with a hard ahot. Ponsonby, 4: North Shore, 0. The ground conditions seemed to be troubling North Shore, and the forwards failed weakly when opportunities offered. Lipscombe made a splendid save from Hunter, and Innes was wide when he had the goal at his mercy. The game deteriorated, neither side, attempting to play football. continued to press, and goals came easily. Hunter scored from a nass by Tomilty. Immediately afterwards Walters ran through to open North Shore's account Ponsonby, 5: 'North Shore, 1. The ground .was. badly cut up. and the ball often buried itself in the mud. The spectators were kept amused by the humorous antics of the players. Innes and Bell J? further goals for Ponsonby, and when the final whistle went the score was: Ponsonby. 7- North Shore. 1. /TECHNICAL COLLEGE'S GAME. The- curtain-raiser game between the Hamilton and Auckland Technical Colleges Has evenly contested. Both sides showed a fair knowledge of the game. Auckland was superior sit close quarters. Goals were scored for Auckland by Riddolls, Cain and xJankier. Hamilton's goal came from a melee following a corner kick. The final score was: Auckland Technical College. 3; Hamilton Technical College. 1. following are the results of junior grade matches, played or? Satuxdav;— Second Grade—Da'cre Cup Final: Ponsonby, 6. Birkenhead. 2. Third Grade.—Y.M.C.A.. 6; Kiwi. 0. Third prude Intermediate.—Rangers. 6: Onehunga 3 Fourth Grade.-V C.M.A.. 1 : Belmont. 0, t-ifth Grade.—North Shore. 5; W.Y M I B. 0. Sixth Grade. —Comrades, 1: Carlton. 1; North Shore, 3; Tamaki. 0. Seventh Grade.—Belmont A. 14: Metropolitan 0; Comrades A. J2; Tamaki. 2. Secondary Schools.—Technical A. 4; Kowh it. 1 -Mount Albert Grammar B. 7: Mount Alber' Grammar A, 0. -WSKLL CUP RETAINED. [BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] HAMILTON. Sunday. The final game in the Ansel! Cup competition was played yesterday, when Frankton Railways drew with H-ir.t:y Thistle, and thus succeeded in retaining the trophy for another season. The score was esse grcai 1 each. » j WELLINGTON CLUB MATCHES, j [BY TE.LEGP.APH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] *v\ ELLINGTON. Saturday. In the Association football competition Mari« defeated Diamonds by 2 goafs to I. Extra time had to be played, as the scores were ] all on the call of time. Y M.C.A , 4. beat Brooklyn, 0. / In the inter provincial junior grade match for the Rickard Cup. (Wellington*. 3, beat Chnstchurcn Rangers. I.