ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20244, 2 May 1929, Page 18

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

EXCITING NIGHT CONTEST. L ' TRAMWAYS BEATS DUNEDIN. ! A thrilling game resulted in Tramways 1 defeating H.M.S. Dunedin by two goals to i one in a night fixture played under the control of the. Auckland Football Association at Blandford Park last evening. ihere was an attendance o£ about 1500 spectatois. The game produced clever and exciting lootball. and the issue was in doubt right up to the final whistle. Tramways held a slight advantage in the second spell, and ran out winners by the odd goal, which was obtained in the closing minute of the game. Comrades and Y.M.C.A. fourth grade teams provided an interesting curtain-raiser, the tor-, mer being successful by 3 goals to Dunedin was first to attack, and Batty was hard pressed to clear, with Hivers and Miln in close attendance. Dunedin continued to press, and Batty was fully extended to save an express drive by Slim. ' Bright play by Tinkler put Tramways on the attack, but Spencer sent high over. A clever hook shot by Tinkler saw Clark fumble his clearance, but Bell was adjudged offside when he volleyed'the ball into the net. A strong run and clever cross by fepong saw Stretton volley the ball into the Dunedin net, but offside again denied Tramway? a goal. At the other end hesitation in the Tramways defence, saw Miln send just over the bar. Batty was the busier of the two goalkeepers, but there was often more danger in the Tramways' raids. Tramways fiet up a determined attack and Dunedin was fortunate when (in express drive from Tinkler was deflected by a defender, and a fruitless corner resulted. Trace and v mey put up a dogged defence, and the Tramways attack cot. little opportunity to settle down. Scott carried pi a" to the Tramways end with a fine run. and only brilliant goalkeeping by Batty, and fine defensive work by Christie kept the Tramways goal int.net. A clever nolo effort by Reid had the Tramways' defence badly beaten, but bis parting shot was. just wide of the upright, i here was no scoring when half-time was called. Play reopened at a thrilling pace. Tramways attacked with a brilliant concerted movement,, but a rousing clearance by Trace sent it back, and Keid soon had the Tramways defence in difficulty until Bell effected a timely clearance. The defence on each side was equal to- all calls made, and the forwards got little opportunity to get to closo Quartern. A brilliant movement opened by Spencer saw Spong send across an accurate centre, and Stretton shot hard into the net. Tramways. 1: H.M.S. Dunedin. 0. Dunedin rushed to the Tramways' goal, and Rivers almost evened tho scores with a great shot which only missed by inches. Scott led the way in a combined Dunedin asisault, and from an accurate cross Miln headed a great goal. Tramways, 1: H.M.S. Dunedin, 1. A clever movement by Spencer and Spong saw Bell-score for Tramways, but offside again nullified the goal. Tramways continued to press and Stretton struck the upriqlit v-ith a terrifif. drive. Spong was in great, form on tho Tramways right wing, and from one of his crosses Clarke was fully extended to clear a. clever header by Spencer. At the other end a. great shot by Reid saw Battv effect a smart clearance. Fast end-to-end piny followed, each side striving hard to ffi.in the lead. Concerted work by Tinkler and Spong ended when Snencer headed a clever goal. The final whistle sounded a. minute later with the scores: Tramways, 2; H.M.S. Dunedin, 1. INADEQUATE FINANCE. DOMINION COUNCIL'S HANDICAP. [II y TELEGRAPH.-"PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON. Wednesday. The annual report of the New Zealand Football Association states that 18 associations'are affiliated, with 513 teams, including 18S school teams. Tho report lays considerable stress on financial matters, and, tho inability, of the council to pay travelling expenses in such competitions as the Chatham Cup. For the same reason it was impossihlo to send a school side to return tho visit of tho Australians, nor could the council continue to donate footballs to schools. Proposals, however, will be made this year for paying a visit to Australia. Tho council's debit balance is .£317. Although it had asked the affiliated associations to set nsido a day last season for the raising of money to reduce the liability, the results were very disappointing.