ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20241, 29 April 1929, Page 15

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

THE SENIOR COMPETITION.

DAY OF HIGH SCORING.

TRAMWAYS IN GOOD FORM

The second series of senior grade championship games under the control of the Auckland Football Association was played on Saturday afternoon. The principal attraction at Blandford Park provided a, disappointing contest, Ponsonby defeating North Shore, after a poor game, by 2 goals to 1. Tramways was in form at Victoria Park "and completely overwhelmed Belmont. The final score of 7 goals to 1 was a fair indication of the run of play. At, Onehunga a weakened Thistle team found difficulty in defeating the home team. Y.M.C.A. proved too strong for Celtic at the Domain and won easily by a margin of 4 goals. The outstanding feature of the B section games was the convincing win registered by Philomel over Newmarket. Following are the detailed results of senior grade games: — Ponsonby, 2; North Shore 1. Tramwavs, 7; Belmont. 1. V.M.C.A., 6; Celtic, 2. Thistle, 3; OneTtunga, 1. Section B.—Manurewa, 2. v. .Metropolitan, 0; Philomel, 4, v. Newmarket, 0; Rangers, 3, v. Bon Accord, 1. Friendly Came* H.M.S. Dunedin 4, v. Corinthians, 1. A DISAPPOINTING GAME. Ponsonby and North Shore opened in lively fashion, both sides adopting a fast open gaxne. North Shore was first to be dangerous but Lyons easily cleared when Dow shot, from well out. A fine run by Blackie almost brought n score and Morrison was fortunate to clear at the expense of a corner. A strong run by Stewart carried piny to the North Shore goal but weak, finishing spoilt a likely movement. Ponsonby pressed and only a fine clearance by Gerrard saved the _ North Shore goal. Stewart and Morrison had the North Shore defence in difficulty until Colebourrie cleared. A well-placed pass by Bush gave the North Shore forwards a fine opening, but Lyons cleared when Haycock made a dash for the goal. Blackie and Bush were prominent in a strong North Shore attack and Lyons was fortunate to scrape the ball clear at the expense of a corner which proved fruitless. Play whs quiet and there was no score when half-time was called. North Shore attacked when the second speli opened. Blackie sent hard across the Ponsonby goal, but Lyons cleared smartly. A penalty for hands against Kinghorn saw Lyons effect a smart save from the spot kick, and Morrison cleared. Ponsonby showed some improvement after this. Innes opened up a bright movement which Stewart completed with a hard drive which found the net. Ponsonby continued to pres3 end North Shore was outclassed in the ensuing play. Innes and Stewart carried on a movement opened by Balloc.h, and the former gave Wise no chance to save a hard drive from close in. North Shore retaliated and following a free kick Dow rushed the ball into the net. Norlh Shore held the advantage to the end. but play was very ragged and there was little in the way of good football, a r>oor game ending:—Ponsonby, '2: North Shore, 1. TRAMWAVS WIN EASILY. From a bright opening Belmont, was first to attack, but the forwards failed to penetrate the strcng Tramways defence, and Batty cleared smartly when Allen sent over a. dancerous cross. With the advantage of a slight breeze. Belmont continued to press and Batty had to be on the alert to keep the Tramways goal intact. Most of the efforts at :roal were from long range, however. Tha first attack by Tramways brought a goal. Spencer dashed through the Belmont defence and gave Chesney no chance to save a hard drive. Less than a minute later Tramways went further ahead when Bell beat Chesney with a fast shot. Play was now all in "favour of Tramways, end only a brilliant save by Chesney denied Spencer another goal. Spencer. Fyffie and Bell were associated in a brilliant Tramways attack which ended in Bell adding a third goal. A strong attack by Belmont had Tramways defending hard, but Simpson cleared. Allen was prominent with a hard, low drive which was only inches wide of the goal. Playing clever football. Tramways completely outclassed Belmont and before the interval Spencer and Tinkler added further goals. The score at half-time was:—Tramways. 5; Belmont. _O. Quiet play was witnessed on resumption, until Adams got possession, and after a strong run which carried play to the Tramways goal, Bowden snapped up a chance and beat Batty with a hard drive from close in. Tramways countered wiib clever play and Spencer added the finishing touch to a brilliant movement, the hall entering the corner of the net. Chesney effected ! many fine clearances, and only his brilliant goalkeeping denied Tramways further coals. The closing staces were all in favour of Tramways, who went further ahead when Christie found the net with a long drive which beat Chesney all the way. Belmont, was kept on the defensive for the remainder of the game, and the final whistle sounded with the scores:— Tramways, 7; Belmont, 1. A HIGH SCORING GAME. The match between Celtic and V.M.C.A. produced a spate of goals at the Domain. Although first to score Celtic was never convincing and the lively Y.M.C.A. attacks soon found weak points in the defence. From a fast, opening Celtic attacked, and when a free kick by Wright struck the crossbar Davidson rushed in to open the scoring. The lead was short-lived, however. McAuslan equalising following a melee in front ot the Celtic goal. V.M.C.A. continued to Press and after some smart, play by the forwards Woods beat Hall from close in. Y.M.C.A. was the more impressive side, and held a decided advantage in the closing stages of the spell. Celtic defence was hard pressed, and Woods headed another goal. Before the interval the same player completed his "hat-trick," and Y.M.C.A. led by i goals to 1. Celtic opened the second spell with a strong attack, but the fonvard line whs disioi'nted and the Y.M.C.A. defence had little difficulty in clearing. At the other end Humphries put. Y.M.C.A. further ahead with a fine individual effort. Whaley _ retired injured and Celtic pressed. Wrigli. secured possession and scored with a great drive Although playing with only 10 men Y.M.C.A. held the advantage, and before the end McAuslan added another goal. The final whistle sounded with the scores: — Y.M.C.A.. G;' Celtic. 2. VICTORY FOR THISTLE. Onehunga and Thistle were both under strength for their match at Onehunga. Lhe home side was without two prominent players, while Thistle had to turn out with oulv nine men. Despite its handicap, Thistle played convincingly and < halmers almost opened the scoring with a fine drive following some clever play by Knv. Onehunga took its share of the attack and a. prolonged siege was rewarded when Moon accepted a. fine puss from Jones, and opened the scoring from close in. The lead was short lived, however. Kay heading a brilliant. Thistle attack which ended when Cummings volleyed the ball past Zouill into the net. Onehunga was the more aggressive side to the interval, but was met by a sound Thistle defence, and half-time came with the scores:-Tbistle. 1; Onehunga. 1 ,T Rowat, n veteran of the Thistle Club, assisted his team when play was resumed, and showed thnt lie still retains much football ability. Thistle soon took the lead when following an accurate cross by Cummings. Kay beat Zouill from close range. Onehunga. pressed hard and held a decided advantage to the end but failed to score. Cotton failed with a penalty kick and (mrrard brought off some smart. _ c earanees. Just before the end Kay Put Ihistle further ahead, and the final whistle sounded with the scores:—Thistle. 3; Onehunga, 1. RESULTS OF .JUNIOR GAMES. Following arc the results of junior grade matches:— , _ , , Second Grade.— Ponsonby. 0. v. Belmont. Third O^ade.—Technical Old Boys. 7. v. Kiwi. 0: Bangers. 3. v. Ponsonby. 2; New Lynn, 7, v. WA.M.T., 1. Fourtli tirade.—W.Y.M.l.. 2; _ r r - j Clen Eden. 2: Comrades. C>, v. Y.M.C.A., 1: North Shore. 2, v. Tamaki. 0; Comrades B, 5 v. Y.M.C.A. B. 0. Fifth Grude.—College Ignited A. 4 v. Belmont A. 0: Belmont B. 5. v. College United B, 1: Tamaki, 4. v. North Shore, d: Comrades R. 4. v. V.M.t.A.. Y.M.C.A. B. 1. v. W.Y.M.1.. 1; Y.M.C.A. A. '2. v. Onehunga. 1. Sixth Grade.—Belmont. 3. v. Comrades A 0; North Shore. S, v. W.Y.M.T.. 0: Carlton. 5. v. V.M.C.A.. 0. , Seventh Grade.—W.Y.M.T.. 1. v. North Shore, 0; Belmont. v. Y.M.I .a., 1: Belmont B, 2. v. V.M.C.A, B. 0: Comrades B, 0. v. Tamaki. 0; North Shore, 2. v. lamnki. 0. H AMES IN SOUTH. [by riu.EoiurH.—rnsss association.] WELLINGTON. Sunday. Soccer matches played at Wellington yes lerdav resulted:—Maris!. 2. v. Thistle. 3: Waterside. r>. v. Y.M.C.A.. 2; Bospitnl, I, drew with Pet one, 1. * CERISTCHURCH, Sunday, FolloTviuß are the results of Associatior football matches played at Christchnrrh yes terdav:—Nomads, 5. v. fet, A buna, ]_ Thistle, 2, v. New Brighton, 3; Western, a v. Technical Old Boys. 2: Sumner, 11, v Rangers, 2 „ , , DUNEDIN. Sunday. Soccer matches played Dunedin Tester 1 day resulted:—Technical Old Boys. ,4, v ■ Maori Bill, 2-, Northern, 4. r. Mosciel. 2; J Mornincton, 4, v, Hifrh benool Old boya 3; Sea cliff. 3, ▼. Y.M.C.A., ft.