ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19929, 24 April 1928, Page 14

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

THE SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP. SATURDAY'S GAMES REVIEWED. KEEN COMPETITION EXPECTED. The results of Saturday's senior grade matches give promise of a close and interesting championship competition this season. The comparative strength of the various teams was demonstrated, and, although Thistle won decisively in the end against Belmont, the team cannot yet claim to have shown any marked superiority on results. On the opening Saturday Thistle defeated Ponsonby by a threegoals margin, but Onehunga'si success against the same team on Saturday takes much of the glamour from the Thistle victory.

The exhibition given by Belmont was one of the features of the day's play, and the manner in which the young players stuck to their task was worthy of congratulation. In fairness 10 Thistle, itmust be stated that the team was without the services of Carter and Hislop, but the failure to strike form can safely be credited to the bustling and long passing tactics adopted by the Belmont team. With only 20 minutes to go, the game looked like ending in a draw until Kay came to the rescue of his side with a smart goal. Even then Belmont did not crack up, and almost evened the scores a minute later. Thistle asserted itself toward the end and Cummings made victory safe with another goal. Ferguson and Reid were inclined to be shaky under the bustling tactics of the Belmont attack, and Christie and Dixon found the pace too fast. The forward line was disjointed, and Whitley was not a success in the centreforward positionDunsmore and Cummings were the better wings, but it was left to Kay to clinch the victory. Chesney's Fine Exhibition. Chesney, in goal for Belmont, gave another fine exhibition and brought off some spectacular saves. Lithgow and Murphy were strongest in a defence which came out of the game with credit. Trewheela was the marksman forward, though all were bustlers. The game between North Shore and Tramways, although lacking in thrills, provided the best contest in the competition so far. Play was of a fairly high standard, both teams showing some clever football. Chances were missed by both sides, but the defenders gave little away, and most of the failures were pardonable. Smith was not a success in goal for North Shore. He was never safe, and was inclined to be rash in leaving his goal. He made a big mistake in coming out to meet a cross from Simm, which gave Tramways the first scoro. Gerrard was good, and was well supported by Colebourne. Jones was the more polished of the halves, who all played well, and Jay, Woolley, and Cleal were the forwards who impressed most. The Tramways team was well served by Batty, who played a faultless game in goal. Simpson was the better of two sound backs, and Tinkler was the strong link in the half line. Spencer, Davis and Sihim were the pick of the forwardsGood Scoring Ability. Y.M.C.A. had matters made very easy for them in the game against Northcote. Northcote was unfortunate in having to take the field with only ten men, but it is quite certain that the presence of the extra man could have made little difference to the result. Y.M.C.A. certainly possesses a very fine forward line, which, after Saturday's display, must be given credit for goal-scoring ability. All five were fast, and, with perhaps the exception of Otter, who is really a back, they showed a clever understanding. It was apparent in the closing stages that six goals was considered to bs enough, and the advantage was not pressed. It is in defence that Y.M.C.A. requires strengthening. The opposition on Saturday provided no test, and, with the exception of Riddolls, none of the halves was confident. Paton is known as a good goalkeeper, but it is at fullback the real problem lies. It is rumoured that Y.M.C.A. has been successful in ing the signature of a first-class outside left. This would free Otter to fill the position of left back, which would materially help to solve the difficulty. Northcote gave a very disappointing display, the whole team, including Lyons, appearing to lack confidence. Hibbert was the best in defence, while Wellbourne and Tremain were the only forwards to infuse any spirit into their play. Onehunga's Improvement.

Onehunga has shown a remarkable improvement this season, and it only came as a mild surprise when Ponsonby found the opposition too strong at Onehunga on Saturday. The score of 3 goals to 1 was a little flattering to the victors, bur there was nothing uncertain in the mannetin which the goals were scored. Cummings made his first appearance in goal for Onehunga, and did all that was asked of him in convincing manner. Whowell was the stronger of the backs, Bentley did well at centre-half, and Whimster, Thomas and Mellor were the best of a good forward line. Ponsonby played better than the score indicates, but the forwards were very weak in front of the goal. The defence was sound, with Williams and Wright outstanding, but Innes was the only forward to show true form.

The season is yet too young to attempt to compare the standard of play with that of previous years, but, from the exhibitions given in the championship games so far, there is little doubt that the standard will be well maintained, if not bettered. The weakness demonstrated in Auckland this season is at centre-half, and, unless those playing in the position show a marked improvement, the selector will be faced with a difficulty to fill the position satisfactorily in the interprovincial representative games. Auckland, has for some seasons past, been fortunate in having the services of a really class centre-half. Kissock was the power in the Auckland team two years ago, and, when he left for America, Baxter was able to fill the vacancy with success. There is no centre-half playing in Auckland this season who could be confidently selected to fill the position. Outside Christie (Thistle) and Wright (Ponsonby) it is difficult to find a centre-half who is showing even a high standard of club play. The result, of the English Cup final at Home carried all the surprise which is usually associated with cup-tie Association football. Huddersfieid seemed well on the way to make football history by winning the league championship and cup in the same season, but Blackburn Rovers claimod the knock-out trophy by a victory of 3 goals to 1. Although far from being favourites for the cup, Blackburn was the oldest Cup fighter left in the semi-final round. This year was the club's 13th appearance in that tie, which is a record. The Blackburn Rovers Club, however, has had a sorry experience in the final ties, Five times cup winners, the team has made five semi-final bids for the recapture of the trophv. since it was last won by the club in 1891.