ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20863, 4 May 1931, Page 12

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

SENIOR GRADE CONTESTS. SEASON'S OPENING GAMES. NORTH SHORE BEATS Y.M.C.A. Favoured by fine weather and splendid underfoot, conditions on Saturday, the Auckland Football Association's season opened with a full series of senior championship games. A very noticeable advance was reflected in the standard, especially at Blandford Park, where greatlyimproved underfoot conditions gave the players every encouragement. Surprises characterised the series, North Shore, in particular, upsetting calculations in defeating Y.M.C.A., last year's champions, by a good margin of goals. Ponsonby went down in a hard game with Tramurewa, while Thistle experienced little opposition at Walker Park in taking the points from Celtic. A close tussle between New Accord and Onehunga, at Onehunga, saw the decision go to the former, following were the results: — North Shore, 4; Y.M.C.A., 0. Tramurewa. 1; Ponsonby, 0. New Accord, 4; Onehunga, 2. Thistle, 6; Celtic, 1. PONSONBY UNFORTUNATE, 'JRAMUHEWA GAIN? POINTS. Although Hiving an unaccountably weak shooting exhibition at Blandford Park on Saturday, Ponsonby, by reason of its superior teamwork, could be considered very unfortunate in failing to at least draw with Tramurewa. The players took time to settle down, during which the exchanges were scraggy, wild kicking predominating. Tramurewa showed to advantage subsequently in a bright frontal attack, in which the Pollsonby defence was well tested. Bell and Stiencer were prominent in several pretty passing movements, Fyfiie giving valuable support from the half-line. Ponsonby gradually assumed the advantage, however, and displayed a fine combination for eo ea.ily in tlio season. Innes, Coll and Parle ga\ e the Tramurewa backs a shock with a wellconceived attack, which only went astray in the goalmouth. Ponsonby continued to hold the upper hand and Batty, in the Pramurevvn goal, was hard pressed to ward on several promising raids. On one of iraniurewa's incursions Balloch opened the way for a goal, his constructional work resulting in the ball reaching Spencer, who scooped it into the lop of the net. Parle missed an easy chance in a subsequent lonsonliy attack and the half closed with the score:—Tramurewa, 1: Ponsonby, 0. _ Misfortune continued to meet I onsonby s efforts after the resumption, several very promising movements going aßtray just as a goal seemed imminent. Innes haV one or two fine chances of registering, but shot too high on each occasion. From a territorial aspect, Ponsonby was having much (he better of the play, but Tramurewa's movements had much more finish. Spong and Spencer tester! Surtees with good shots, but the goalkeeper handled efficiently. 'the Tramurewa half division, with Balloch. Corbett and Fyfiie in line, was proving too superior for the Ponsonby set. Forrester and Cole went through the Tramurewa backs in a smashing attack and the former, although infringed against, carried on to score, but the referee had whistled for the infringement. The free kick yielded nothing and the game ended shortly afterwards with the scoro:--Tramurewa, 1; Ponsonby, 0. Mr. R. 11. Parfilt was referee. NORTH SHORE SURPRISES. Y.M.C.A. OUTCLASSED. North Shore was infinitely superior to Y.M.C.A. in the principal contest at Blandford Park and the difference between the teams was even greater than the four goals margin suggests. Although one-sided, the mo contained many interesting passages. After a few exchanges Chalmers opened up nlav for Riddolls, who sent out a perfect pass to M. Kay. The Y.M.C.A winger raced in for the finishing shot, but was ruled offside by what seemed a rather doubtful decision. North Shore retaliated strongly. Luke setting Walters and Blackie off, but good defence by P Kay .prevented any result. Luke had Hilliard in trouble with a stinging drive from long range, the YM C A goalkeeper conceding a corner which ' proved fruitless. Wilson sent m another fine drive, which the goalkeeper was fortunate enough to push out. lhe Y M C A. quintet had not figured prominently up to this stage, partly owing to North Shore's good defence and through its own lack of initiative. North Shore took the lead when Walters received and transferred neatly to Blackie, who, without hesitating, speculated from .in yards out. the ball flashing past Billiards outstretched hands.to register a fine goal the interval came with the score:—North snore, 1 received a further setback right from the commencement of the second spell, n bright passing bout ending when P. Kay. in an endeavour to cVa r . Kicked trie ball into his own goal. North Shore was not satisfied, however, and came again, a fine centre from Walters giving Wilson the opportunity to net from close range. Hie same player was on the spot a few niunites later to collect a rebound from the Y.M.C.A. goatkeeper and score again. North Snoie had matters much its own way for the remaindei of the game, but failed to add to the score, which read at the end: North Shore, •J; Y.M.C.A.. n. Mr. E. Parkinson was referee.

THISTLE'S SUPERIORITY.

CELTIC WELL BEATEN

Fielding a powerful combination. Thistle proved too good for Celtic in.the match at Walker Park and ran out winners by five clear goals. Thistle settled down moie quickly than its opponents and several promising movements just failed to materialise. Thistle took the lead, however, w'hen, in attempting to clear. Green kicked the ball into his own net. Ansleed and the Hunter brothers tried to co-operate with Grant at half, but the Thistle defence was _ sound. 11 islop paved the way for Thistle s next goal, McLeay applying the finishing touch Grant, of Celtic, was forced to leave the field shortly afterward with a leg ™ IU third goal was scored when the ball trickled off a Celtic defender into the gout. Gill added a fourth just henro tlie mteiva 1, when the score lead :—'Hustle. 4; CelCeltic was dominant for the first ten minutes succeeding the spell. Grant w_hose absence had been felt, returning to the held. Riminer reduced the deficit, with a which eluded the goalkeepers fingeis. Thistle came again strongly. Gill add another goal, an effort winch he repeated five minutes later. Tlay was ragged to the end. when the score read:—Thistle, (>; Celtic. I Mr. 11. W. Mnrdle was rofcrco. NEW ACCORD TRIUMPHS. DEFEAT OF ONEHUNGA. Tn n fairly close game at Onehunga. NewAccord proved just a trifle superior to. t ie Onehunga side and collected the full points. Both sides attacked freely from the starting whistle and each goal underwent bombardment. On?hunga got through first, Polwyn scoring a good goal. Onehunga maintained (he pressure and was unlucky not to increase the lead. Exchanges were very even for a time, but Onehunga gradually assumed the offensive and Cotton put his side another goal to the good when he headed past Morris into the New Accord goal. The score at the interval was:—Onehunga, 2; New Accord, 0. . New Accord was a different team in the second half, and had Onehunga in difficulties with frequent telling raids. New Accords first goal came per medium of Dunsmore. who added another shortly afterwards Onehunga retaliated and was unfortunate in seeing several good movements go astray at the crucial moment. Galloway, who was showing up conspicuously in the NewAccord forwards, added a third goal and subsequently a centre of his gave Jones the chance to score another. The final scoie was:—New Accord, 4; Onehunga, 2#. Nil-. W. Miller was referee. LOWER GRADE RESULTS. Reserve Grade.—New Lynn, 4, Onehunga. 4; Tranmrewii, 2, Ponsonby, 1. Second Grade.—North Shore, 6, Metro-Col-lege, 1; Burnley, 0, Ponsonby, 0; Tamaki, 3. Y.M.C.A., 0; Glen Innes, 6, Belmont, 0; Y.M.C.A., 3. Glen Innes, 2. Third Grade Open.—New Lynn, 4, Irnmu lewa, 2; Abels, 5, Burnley, 2; Swanson, 3. Glen Innes, 2. Third Grade Intermediate. —Mount. Albert Old Bovs, 3, Onehunga, 2. Fourth Grade.— Metro-College B, 2. Onehunga. 0: Y.M.C.A. A, 2, Metro-College A, 2. Onohunga, 3, North Shore, 2. Sixth Grade.—Comrades B, 3. Y.M.C.A C, 0; Taniiiki, 11, Y.M.C.A. B, 1; North Shoro A, 4, Onehunga, 1; Technical Old Boys. 5. Thjstle, 1. Seventh G rade.—Belmoht B. 2. Comrades B, 0; Belmont A, 2. Y.M.C.A. A, 0; Comrades A, 8, North Shore A, 1.

SECONDARY SCHOOL GAMES. Senior Grade.—Mount Albert A, 8, Grammnr. 0; Technical. 2, Mount Albert B, 0. Junior Grade.—Mount Albeit A, 2. Kowhai, 1; Technical B, 3, Mount Albert B, 2: Technical A, 5, Sacred Heart, 0 Intermediate Grade A—Takapuna, 7 lvowhai, 0: Mount Albeit A. 2. Grammar, 0. Intermediate Grade B.—Technical B, 2 Mount Albert C, 0. RESULTS IN THE SOUTH. [BY TELEGRAPH. — TOESS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington. Diamond, 3, Marist,. i ; Thistle, 11, Seatoun, 1; Watersider*, 2, Petone, 2; Hospital, 4, W.Y.M.1., 2. Chrlstchurch. Rangers, 3, Thistle, 2; Western, 2, New Brighton, 2; St. Albans, •1. Technical Old Boys, 1; Nomads, 4, lvaiapoi, 1; Marist, 5, Sumner, 1. Dunedln.—Mosffiol, 1, Northern, 1; Maori Hill, 8, Port Chalmers, 3; Mich School Old Boys, 3, Technical Old Boys, 2; Seacliff. 2, Mornington, 0. Hamilton.—Pukeniiro, 7. Wanderers. 2. Huntly.—Renown, 3. Huntly, 1; Rotowaro. G, Thistle, 1