THE ASSOCIATION GAME.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20593, 18 June 1930, Page 15

THE ASSOCIATION GAME.

FALCON CUP COMPETITION.

CELTIC AND RANGERS REPLAY.

CONDITION OF BLANDFORD PARK

The first round of tho Auckland Football Association's Falcon Cup competition was played on Saturday and was responsible for very few tlirills. Ifc is an accepted fact that in most casts the knock-out typo of competition tends to promote tho dogged methods of play, which although attractive enough cannot compare with fast, open football. Tho gamos on Saturday in nearly all instances showed this unnecessary cramping of style, especially in the contests at Bland ford Park.

A few surprises brightened the otherwise drab aspect of tho first round, Corinthians showing a clean pair of heels to tho erstwhile formidable Tramways side, while North Shore accounted for Onehunga in tho curtain-raiser at Blandford Park. Tho latter team's win was in no way a "fluke," for it held its opponents throughout and should have finished with a wider margin of goals. Tho main fixture at headquartors, between Manurcwa and Y.M.C.A., proved to bo a disappointing one, it being difficult to maintain interest through tho game. It was thought that Manurewa would rise to great 'heights in cup-tio football, but evidently it is an overestimated team. Ono week tho Manurewa players aro responsible for fine exhibitions, but their showing in succeeding matches wipes out any good opinions formed of them. A Peculiar Position.

A rather peculiar position aroso in tho match between Celtic and Bangers for, at tho end of tho full ninety minutes' play, tho teams 'were level, and on tho extra timo being played Celtic quickly took tho lead. Tho light gave out before tho full oxtra timo could bo played and there was no course but to abandon the match which necessitates tho game being replayed. This precedent should servo as a warning to tho association to seo that all tho matches aro started to time and not fifteen minutes after tho scheduled time, as happens almost every week at Blandford Park.

Ponsonby was engaged with tho sonior grade B team, Tamaki, and although the latter had tho Ponsonby siclo bustled on one or two occasions, the victors maintained a firm grip on the game. Ponsonby is another team which is remarkable for inconsistency and should occupy a much higher position on tho championship tablo. It remains to bo seen whether Ponsonby can find its way through tho second round. If such proves the case it should be a strong contender in the finals, for it seems that all it needs is ji little success to liven up the side.

Bon Accord was considered quite capable of knocking the strong Thistle combination out of tho competition, but tho latter's studied tactics proved too much for tho senior B side. An Even Contest.

An even contest eventuated between Technical Old Boys and Northcote, both teams from tho B division, victory going to the formor by the only goal scored, while Belmont had its colours lowered by the Glen Innes team, which is competing in the senior ranks this season for the first time. There are now nine teams left in tho competition, five of which belong to tho senior grade A and four to tho B division. Celtic and Rangers aro compelled to replay their match, but it would seem more advisable to include them in the draw for tho second round. Unless tho electric-light facilities are called into use for a night match during the week it appears that all tho other teams will be on the sideline next Saturday while the replay is decided. While on the subject of night gamo3 mention must be made of the unsuitable conditions under which the preliminary round, between Celtic and Metro-College, was played last Wednesday evening. The contest was nothing better than a scramble and it would have been difficult for tho best of teams to havg made it anything elso. The surface of tho ground had suffered exceedingly from tiio previous wet and mud was present in largo quantities with parts of tho playing area virtually under water. While appreciating the association's difficulty in getting its various competitions finalised, it is to bo hoped that it will not bo found necessary to send players out in such conditions in the future. The management might give a thought to tho ground itself, which will need to bo in good condition for tho representative fixtures falling duo.