ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20243, 1 May 1929, Page 18

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

FORM OF THE SENIOR CLUBS.

NAVY PLAYERS' BRILLIANCE

SUCCESS OF NIGHT FIXTURES. High scoring was a feature'of Saturday's senior fixtures, 110 fewer than 23 goals being registered in four matches. Tramways claimed seven at, the expense of Belmont, whilo Y.M.C.A. registered six against* Celtic. None of the games produced football of grpat merit, and at least four were too one-sided to hold much interest.

Judged on tho two opening days it would t appear that Tramways is going to carry all before it iu tho championship competition, but tho form of some clubs has b.eon so poor that, it cannot bo taken as anything like their best. 'there is always tho possibility of tho weaker sides being reinforced by tho inclusion of somo of tho talented players from tho warships. Tho Navy men are certainly showing great form and while tho cruisers aro in port tho naval depot should prove a stronghold for clubs which are anxious to improve their standard of play and increase their prospects in the competitions. It would seem a great pity if followers of tho game are to bo denied the privilego of seeing the Navy players included in senior grade club teams, because tho clubs are afraid of fielding a much inferior side when the cruisers leave Auckland.

The fullest use of. tho Navy's star players by senior A clubs would benefit tho code a great deal. The standard of play would bo raised considerably and tho championship competition would be moro strenuously contested. Poor Form Displayed.

Tlio Ponson by-North Shore game _ on Saturday provided a very drab exhibition of football. Tho winners took no credit from a game in which they might easily have been beaten. Indeed territorially North Shore "had much the better of the exchanges and but for weak finishing might easily have won with a goal or two to spate. Neither side showed any ponetrative power iii attack while the defence on each side was for tho most part quite satisfied to clear its lines without attempting to open the game tip for its own forwards. ' _ ' North Shore bad a decided advantage in defence, but the forwards were always at sixes and sevens and never made any attempt at combined movements. the lino infused plenty of dash into its work and on occasions gavo Ponsonby an anxious time. Morrison was best in tho Ponsonby defence and repeatedly stood between North Shore and a seme J lie half line was weak with Balloch most effective, while Innes and Stewart were the only Ponsonßy forwards to show any I initiative. With tho inclusion of on<j or two players of merit each side could bo a much strengthened combination but vastly improved 'form will require to bo shown if the clubs are to prove serious forces in tho championship competition. Belmont made a poor showing against tho powerful Tramways side and its defence crumbled badly against the well executed thrusts of the Tramways attack. That seven goals were registered against his side was not Chcsiicy s fault. The goalkeeper did all that was possible and could not have been blamed had the tally been higher. The team was distinctly outclassed in all departments of the game and at the end of the first 20 minutes all possible chances of victory had vanished. Strong Half Line. Tramways was well served in all departments, but it was in the half line that its great advantage lay. Stretton, Christie and Fyflie smothered any Belmont attempts to take the offensive and quickly turned defence into, forwards, who displayed convincing lorm, were admirably backed up by the halves, helping themselves liberally to the opportunities offering. Spencer was outstanding, but all five wore most effective. Before the season opened Celtic was credited with possessing a strong side, but the team has failed badly in tho opening engagements. After a flattering start in Saturday's game the team fell to pieces and Y.M.C.A. had no difficulty in establishing a big lead. Woods, a newcomer to Y.M.C.A. this season, was responsible for a fine performance. He secured the second, third and fourth goals for his side ancl was always a source of worry to tho Celtic defence. Many fine openings were made for him by his colleagues, but lie proved himself a high-class opportunist. It was unfortunate that an injury to Whalcy should happen to upset a wellbalanced, attack. Chapman showed good form and should prove a reliable centrehalf. The Y.M.C.A. defence was sound, but was never seriously tested.

Wright mndo'a promising debut for Celtic and was (be outstanding player in the team. Most of the Celtic players have good reputationsJor football ability, it being surprising that the club does not show better form. Perhaps improvement may, come when a better understanding exists among the players and team work becomes possible. Thistle Two Men Short.

Onchunga hoped to field, a much strengthened team against Thistle for the official opening of the season at Onchunga. •It was expected that Hi vers and Scott, of H.M.S. Dunedin, would add considerably to the power of the attack. If Onelmnga was disappointed that the Navy men were unable to turn out Thistle had every reason to be dissatisfied at having to turn out two men short. To defeat a team of Onelhinga's merit with only nine men is no mean feat and the Thistle selectors can have little doubt tjiat tiie players who proved successful on Saturday are indeed a valuable asset to the club. Onchunga still seems to be dogged with its last season's trouble of-goal-getting. The forwards are very, effective in the outfield, but lack 'finishing power. The acquisition of a goal-scoring centreforward should solve the club's chief difficulty and would make it • one of' the most promising sides iu the competition. On Wednesday evening last a full Auckland representative side came within an ace of defeat at flic hands of H.M.S. Dunedin. All of the Auckland playets displayed fine form and showed great individual cleverness. There was hardly a weak spot in the side, which, on its display, would have done credit to Auckland in any inlcrprovincial match. Yet the team was completely outplayed in the opening spell and at one period of the game, was deservedly three goals down. Never during the game did Auckland demonstrate any marked superiority and when time was called the Navv players had fenson to consider that fortune had not been kind to them in leaving the result a draw at 4-all. Value of Team Work.

'J earn work was responsible for the Dunccliu team's surprising display. There were no weak links in the " team and the ball was sent confidently from one player to another with unerring precision. Tha_ Auckland .defence was literally run off its feet and was kept so busy defending that it had little opportunity to attempt constructive football. Thanks to the fine opportunism of Speneei; and Kav and a great drive by Christie Auckland obtained the goals, necessary to .makjs the contest a draw. To (hose who saw the Ounedin team play when last, in Auckland the brilliancy of Wednesday evening's performance must have come "as a revelation. • : '

The possibility -of the match for the? Navy Championship Banner., which is played lor annually between If.MS. Ihiiiedin and H.-iWVS. Diornode, being played as a night attraction is already under considcratiofi and many other attractive programmes iirO'.'oHonng, To-night the Dunediu team -\yill have an opportunity of testing its ability with the all-conquering Tramways side.