ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19959, 30 May 1928, Page 16

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

KEEN CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES. THISTLE'S STRONG POSITION. THE FREE-KICK INCIDENTS. By defeating Y.M.C.A. on Saturday Thistle established a commanding lead in the Auckland Football Association's senior grade championship, and now holds a two-point advantage over Ponsonby and Y.M.C.A., who are on terms. Ponsonby gained a well-earned victory over North Shore, and Tramways improved its position by defeating Onehunga. The meeting of Ponsonby and Thistle next Saturday should provide a fine game, and tbc result must have a big bearing on the championship. The following table shows the positions of the teams: —

High Standard Achieved. The standard of play shown in the Thistle-Y.M.C.A. game at Blandford Park was very high, and the contest must be considered one of the best exhibitions of club football seen on the ground. The pace was fast from start to finish, each side showing clever understanding and teamwork. Y.M.C.A. was the more aggressive team in the first half, but the sterling defence of Thistle kept the forwards out, although Zouill was fortunate to be on the spot on more than one occasion. Thistle's first goal was scarcely deserved oil the run of play up to that time, but it was the reward of Kay's opportunism; and th<? effort that brought the goal w.as a brilliant one. The lead was not held long, Y.M.C.A. scoring within three minutes.

The second half was fought at a thrilling pace, with Thistle showing a slight advantage. Paton was unfortunate in spoiling what would otherwise have been a faultless display by misjudging a long shot by Christie, which ga\o Thistle its third goal. The whole Thistle team gave a finished display of effective team work. There was no apparent weak icss, although Ferguson and Reid were not too confident. The defence, however, was sound, and gave nothing away. Zouill played a fine game an goal. Carter, Christie and Dixon were as usual the power behind the forward line. Mooney and Kay made the most effective attack, but Dunsmore and Cummings were always dangerous. Giles got few opportunities, but he bustled the opposing defence to some purpose. With a full team Y.M.C.A. showed a vast improvement -in its display of the previous week. With the exception of one fatal mistake Paten played a brilliant game in goal, and Clanachan and Otter put up a clever defence. Dick, at centre-half, played a strong, forceful game, and was always ready to turn defence into attack. Of "the wing halves. Dawson was more convincing than Riddolls, but both got through a tremendous amount of work. Forward Line Plays Well. The forward line played well together, but Humphries was not up U> his usual standard, and Hoban was not a success as a marksman. Chalmers was outstanding, and initiated many brilliant moves. Grant and Goodman played well together, and combined to make an effective wing. The team which represented the North Shore Club could not cope with the strong tactics employed by Ponsonby. The absence of Gilm6ur and Renshaw weakened the half line, and the forwards got very little support. , Eacock was hard pressed in goal, and, though Colebourne and Gerrard put up a stubborn defence, they failed to hold the eager Ponsonby forwards. Jones played a useful game at centre-half, but the wing halves did not impress. The forward line showed patches of brilliance, but lacked opportunities, and was easily held by the opposing dePonsonbv was well served in goal by Watts. Williams and Miles were a safe pair of backs, whose clearances gave the opposing, forwards little opportunity. M°rrison, Wright and Bell made a good half line,' which supported its forwards consistently. .Wright was particularly prominent and oitcn broke up the North Shore attack. The forward line, with plenty of support, settled down to long periods on attack. Stewart, Innes and Williams were best. Although the wind seriously interfered with the game, some good football was seen in the 'meeting of Onehunga and Tramways, at Onehunga. With the inclusion of some new players, Tramways is a much strengthened team, and the victory gained on Saturday was wellearned. Players Ordered Off. It was unfortunate that it was necessary for the referee to order off Terry, of Onehunga, and Kendall, of Tramways, for rough play. The game up till then had beeu keen and willing, but there was an absence of anything approaching rough play. The ordering off had the desired effect and the game was well - controlled. Tramways asserted a marked superiority in the second half and ran out an easy winner. Batty was safe in goal and Kendall played well, but Hopkins was a more confident defender. Slretton, Reid and Porteous made a serviceable half line. Reid, who is a Navy player, filled the centre-half position well, and his goal from almost half-way was a capital effort. With a fair measure of support the forwards gave an improved display. Fyffie, Spencer and Davis were very good. Onehunga gave a better display than the final score would indicate, but the forwards again showed a lack of finishing power. Although having a fair share of the game territorially, opportunities were thrown away, and Batty, in tho Tramways goal, was seldom severely tested. Cummings could not be blamed for any of the goals registered against his side, and Whowell and Rimmer, although inclined to bo rash, came out of the gamo with credit. The absence of Terry in tho half line disorganised the team, but Bentley and Rutherford got through some useful work. The forwards were not up to their usual standard and Gill was the only one to show penetrative power. Whimster was prominent on tho right wing, but lacked support. The experiment of laying Cotton in the centreforward position and moving Gill to inside left did not prove a success. Belmont and Northcote gave a disappointing display. Neither side had registered a win and it was evident that overeagerness spoilt the play of both. A draw was just about a fair reflex of the play, although Northcote was the more aggressive team. Chesney. Follas, Murphy and Lithgow were best for Belmont and Poole, Wellbourne, Horton and Gidley were prominent for Northcote. SYDNEY CRICKET GROUND. MAY BE USED FOR RUGBY. It is worth remembering, in considering tho next visit from New Zealand, that the big matches may be played on the Sydney Cricket Ground, says the Rugby critic of a Sydney paper. The Rugby League agreement with the trust expires this year and it is not likely that anothor lease for winter of that ground will be given to any body in sport. The lease .is illegal. The trust will deal fairly with the Rugby League, but in doing so it can hardly turn a cold shoulder on the great matches of the Rugby Union. The league, we are told, does not look with pleasure on such a possibility. But I believe, when all matters are fixed up, it will have no genuine cause for feeling aggrieved. „

Goals Team. P. W. L. D. for. agst. Pts Thistle .. 7 6 1 0 22 10 12 Ponsonby .. 7 5 2 0 '24 15 10 Y.M.C.A. . . 7 5 2 0 18 11 10 North Shore 7 3 3 1 18 15 7 Tramways . 7 3 3 1 14 1G 7 Onehunga . 7 3 3 1 11 13 7 Northcoie . 7 — 5 2 10 20 2 Belmont . . 7 — 0 1 9 17 1