ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20023, 13 August 1928, Page 13

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

CHATHAM CUP SEMI-FINAL.

Y.M.C.A. DEFEATS PUKEMIRO. CHAMPIONSHIP SURPRISES. The North Island semi-final of the Chatham Cup competition . between Y.M.C.A. and Pukemiro Junction produced a fast and exciting contest at Blandford Park on Saturday, Y.M.C.A. winning by three goals to one. Pukemiro played a fine, bustling game and it was only after a hard fight that Y.M.C.A. qualified for tho final ties. Tho opening stages o£ the game were all in favour of Pukemiro Junction, which missed opportunities of increasing its score on several occasions before tho interval. Tho superior finish of tho Y.M.C.A. forwards was tho deciding factor in tho game. North Shore continued its winning form by defeating Ponsonby, tho championship leaders, in a hard game at Devonport. Tramways gained an easy victory over Belmont at Blandford Park, while Northcote surprised Onehunga and scored a decisive win after a keen and interesting panic at Northcote. . Following are the results of senior grade frames played on Saturday:- ° Chatham Cup.-Y.M.C.A., 3; Pukemiro Junction, 1. 0 , ~ Championship Games. —North Shore, o, Ponsonby, 2. Tramways, 3; Belmont, J>. Northcote, 3; Onehunga, 1.

f.M.C.A. V. PUKEMIRO. Vlnv opened at a brisk pace between miro and Y.M.C.A., the former bo dmg tho advantage m the opening exchanges, a fine run by Bodds and Hunter almost brought a score, but Otter cleared conv,„cinrrly Pukemiro maintained the attack and the Y M.C.A. defence underwent severe pressure. but fortune favoured the defence. 1 uW-ini-o was not to be' denied, however and a grand assault led by Black saw LaWr accept an accurate cross.apd gave Hilhard no chance with a hard drive which found the far corner of the net Y.M.C.A.. infused more life into the play after this reverse the forward lino receiving its first opportunity. Grant sent too far ahead, however, and Dodds cleared easily. Gradually claiming a greater share of the play, \ .M.C.A. attacked and Hazel was hard pressed to clear from a long drive by Humphries. A minute latei Humphries missed an easy chance when ho sent high over. Whaley and McAuslan led the next Y.M.C.A. attack and from a clever pass, Grant sent a hard drive just over the liar. A little later Grant sent m a great drive which rebounded off the crossbar,. McAuslan followed up to send the ball into the net. , ~ , , A sharp attack by Pukemiro followed and .Hilliard had little to spare in clearing a good shot from Black. Dodds, Black and Latimer combined effectively and carried play to the Y.M.C.A. goal-mouth, where a fine drive by Black rebounded oil the crossbar. The Y.M.C.A defence was fully'.extended, only a brilliant save by Hilliard nullifying a fino effort by Latimer. The next score went ill against the run of play. Grant got possession in his own half and forced the came strongly for Y.M.C.A. lie sent, the ball on to Chalmers, who creased to Humphries to beat the defence in great style and score a clever goal. Play was of an end to end nature until the interval, when the ocores were: Y.M.C.A., 2: Pukemiro Junction, 1 , , Y.M.C.A.- pressed hard when the second spell opened and Hazel effected two spectacular saves from Grant and Humphries. Y.M.C.A. almost increased its lead when Grant sent in a magnificent drive from about 35 yards' range, Hazel clearing at. the expense of a corner. Pukemiro claimed more of the game after this and a good shot by Black Avent narrowly past. A misunderstanding by Mowat and Dick almost let Hunter through, but Hilliard cleared. Pukemiro forced a series of corner kicks but a determined defence keot it out. Y.M.C.A. rushed to the attack. McAuslan and Whaley combined well on the left wing and Humphries finished a clever movement with a fine goal. Y.M.C.A pressed hard and the ball was kept dangerously near Hazel for some time. The goalkeeper was called on to save from Grant. Chalmers and Humphries in ouick succession. Pukenvro played hard to the end. but Y.M.C.A. was more convincing in the coal area. The _ game ended:—-Y.M.C.A.. 3: Pukemiro Junction. 1.

NORTH SHORE V. PONSONBY. Ponsonby was first to attack in the match against North Shore, but Colcbourno intervened and cleared well Jones sent a clever pass to Moore, who rail in strongly to put North Shore on the attack. Miles cleared, but after a period of midficld play North Shore resumed the attack and a clever snap shot by Jay was brilliantly saved by Watts. North Shore continued to press and was rewarded when Jay beat Watts with a hard low drive. Ponsonby retaliated strongly, Williams and Wilson pavinc the way for a clever goal by McCosh. North Shore attacked to the interval but there was no further scoring. The opening: exchanges of the second spell wore all in favour of North Shore. Bradshaw sent over an accurate c.ross_ which Webb cleverly turned to account. Keeping up the pressure. North Shoro had Ponsonby defence hard pressed and after some hard play Webb i;ut North Shoro two goals ahead. Ponsonby set up a desperate attack in the closing stages and Innei reduced the leeway with a clever header. The game was fiercely contested to the end but there was no further score, the game ending:—North Shore, 3; Ponsonby, 2.

TRAMWAYS V. BELMONT. Tramways maintained a decided advantage throughout, tho first half against Belmont, and only fine goalkeeping by Ohesney saved on many occasions. A fine run and shot by Hopkins saw Chesney fail to clear his lines and Spong had no difficulty in netting. Belmont improved toward the interval, but although the forwards combined effectively, there was a lack of finish to their work and Batty "was not seriously tested. _ The second spell opened sensationally. Belmont rushed to the attack from the kick-off. and after some lively forward play Cleal sent oil to Allen, who finished the movement with a hard, low drive which gave Batty no chance. A oeriod of fast plav followed with Belmont holding its own. Tramways gradually asserted its superiority and after a fine combined effort by the forwards, Davis scored from a clever pass by Spencer. Tramways held the advantage and before the end Christie shot hard f"r goal and Sncncer cleverly deceived the defence, the ball finding the far corner of the net. The game ended:—Tramways. 3; Belmont. 1. NORTHCOTE V. ONEHUNGA. Northcote had the better of tho opening exchanges with Onehunga. but tho hitter's sound defence kept its goal intact. After some end-10-emi play a strong Northcote raid ended when Newman received from Wellbourne and opened the scoring. Whimstcr aiul Gill were prominent in a. hard attack by Onehunga, but Taylor and Roberts put up a clever defence Although the pressure was maintained until the interval there was no further scoring Whimsler. Griffiths and Gill led tho way to tho Northcote goal in the opowing minutes of tho second half, but a fine clearance by Taylor sent play to the other end. Newman again secured and put' Northcote two goals ahead. Shortly afterwards Holmes made a fine solo dash through the Onehunga defence. Cummings only partially cleared, and Holmes again got possession and had no difficulty in netting. Onehunga improved and made desperate efforts to reduce the leeway. Hands against a defender saw Gill make no mistake with the spot kick. Onehunga pressed hard in the closing stages of tho game, but failed to add to its score. The final scores were:—Northcote, 3; Onehunga, 1.

JUNIOR GRADE RESULTS. Following arc the results of junior snide gnmes plnved on Saturday:— Second Grade.—Do ore Cup: Newmarket, 3, v. PojiEonby. X: Philomel, 8. v. Norlhcotp, s;' Tanwki. 2, v. Onelnuura, 1; Birkenhead, <l. v. Mclronolitsm, 1 ; North Shore, 3. v. Ponsonby B. 2; Corinthians. 1, v. Is'ew Lynn, 0. Third Grade Open.—Belmont, 2, v. Mount Albert, 2. Fifth Grade.—Carl I on. v. W.Y.M.1.. 1; Belmont. 7. v. Tnmaki, (>. Sixth Grade.—Carlton. 0, v. y.M.C.A. B. o. Seventli Grade.—Comrades A, 2. v. Carlton, I. SU B U RBA N A SSOCIATIO N. Following are the results of names played under the auspices of the Auckland Citv and Suburban Football Association on Saturday : Thistle. 4. v. Celtic. 1. Bon Accord, 3. v. Tlichmond. 1. BUSINESS HOUSES GAMES. Following is the draw for the second round of the business houses Association football competition, to be played on \\ ednesday:—Tramways v. Hellaliy s. Ltd., Blandford Park; Abels, Ltd.. v. Partners Trading Co., Inner Domain No._ 2; Customs v. Ivents. Victoria Park No. 1; Booth, Macdonald v., Auckland Milk Co., Inner Domain No. 2.

ENGLISH TROPHY MATCH* VICTORY FOR WELLINGTON. [BY TELEGRAPH.—FRESS ASSOCIATION. [J WELLINGTON, Sunday. The first English trophy ?*latch of the season was played on the Basiji Reserve yesterday beliveen Wellington and Canterbury. _ Wellington won by 7 goals to 4. Wellington kicked ofT against a fairly stiff wind. A few minutes after the start the visitors instituted a strong attack, and. following exciting play. Bullen headed into the net. Canterbury, 1; Wellington. _O. Canterbury continued to press, and Bridgens beat Lucas with a good shot. Canterbury, 2: Wellington. 0. Then came a lightning rush by Wellington, and Stark finished off a great movement by beating Colville. Canterbury, 2: Wellington, 1. Play continued fast, and the ball travelled quickly from one end to the other. A sudden rush by Canterbury ended in Bullen scoring again. Wellington retaliated, and from a corner by Barton. Campbell headed through. Canterbury. 3: Wellington. 2. After a spell of even play Thompson scored for Canterbury. Canterbury. 4: Wellington. 2. This was the score at half-time. Wellington had all the best of the opening stages of the second spell. Toward the end tho hall was rarely out of Canterbury's half. Tho game finished with the score:—Wellington, 7: Canterbury, 4. SOUTH AUCKLAND MATCHES. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] HAMILTON, Sunday. The first round of the South Auckland Football Association's Howden Cup contest wa3 played at Hamilton yesterday and resulted:—Wanderers, 3. v. Cloudelnuds Rovers, 2. In the junior games Hamilton West, 3, defeated Hamilton East, 1. HUNTLY DEFEATS TE IvUITI. [BY TELEGRAM. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] TE KUITi; Sunday. In a Soccer match on the Domain at Te Kuiti yesterday, the Huntly Thistle Club defeated Te Ivuiti by 4 gonls to 1. Te Kuiti played well toward the end of the game. Combination paved tho way for Huntly's victory. For Huntly goals were scored by Bates (3) and Maxwell. G. Dixon scored for To Kuiti. RESULTS IN THE SOUTH. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] CHRISTCHURCH. Sunday. Association football matches played at CLristchurch "yesterday resulted >-I.'angers, 1. v. Sumner. 0: Technical Old Boys, 4, v. St. Albaois, 0; Villa. 4. v. New Brighton, 0; Nomads. 2 v. Thistle. 0.