ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20923, 13 July 1931, Page 12

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

SENIOR GRADE CONTESTS. THISTLE DEFEATS ONEHUNGA. Y.M.C.A.'S NARROW VICTORY. Fine weather prevailed for the continuation. of the second round of the Auckland Football Association's senior championship on Saturday. The grounds were slightly heavy, but nevertheless some good football was witnessed. Thistle was troubled by Onehunga in the first half of the principal contest at Blandford Park, but showed superior teamwork at a later stage to sain a good victory A similar exhibition was seen in the curtain-raiser match between Tramurewa and New Accord, the former finding difficulty with its opponents until noar the end, when better combination brought Tramurewa through by a good margin. North Shore secured a close decision over Ponsonby at Devonport, while Y.M.C.A. was lucky to take the full points from Celtic at Walker Park. Following were the I scores:— Thistle, 5; Onehunga. 2. Tramurewa, 6; New Accord, 2. North Shore, 3; Ponsonby, 2. Y.M.C.A., 3; Celtic, 2. The following table shows the positions of the teams:- Goala _ ch P. W. L. D. F. A. Pis. Y.M.C.A. . . 9 8 1 - 27 13 16 Thistle -30 b 3 If 18 13 Tramurewa .0 6 .5 North Shore .10 6 5 - 2* la 10 Ponsonby .. 10 3 4 3 17 20 Onehunga . . 9 2 5 2 12 20 0 New Accord .9 2 a 2 18 3a 6 Celtic .. 10 1 7 2 14 38 4 THISTLE TOO POWERFUL. DEFEAT OF ONEHUNGA.

Although making a determined showing in the earlier stages. Onehunga had to submit to defeat at the hands of Thistle in the contest at Blandford Park. Thistle showed the better combination in the opening stages, tli© ball moving rapidly and accurately in the forward line between Hislop, McLeay and Gill. Very little thrust characterised the attacks, however, which broke down when opposed by a sturdy defence. Onehunga gave a taste of its attacking qualities when the forwards moved up in pretty formation, F. Zuill and Griffiths leading, but Williams averted danger with a timely clearance. Marlow was displaying pace on Onehunga's left flank and a couple of his centres almost paved . the way for goals. _ lhe Thistle van. which was being held in fine stylo by Zuill, opened its account when McLeay nipped in to score after a bad clearance by Dick. McLeay added another goal shortly afterwards, working through to close range to beat Zuill with a good shot. _ Thistle goal was in danger for a period of five minutea, but poor shooting .kept it intact. Just before the spell _Cummings and McLeay were seen in a brilliant Thistle attack, the last-named receiving a fine centre to net in auick time. The half-time score was:—Thistle. 3; Onehunga, 0. The Thistle forwards dominated the plav for some time following the resumption, a series of brilliant saves by Zulu being thai kept the attackers from increasing their load. Fine dribbling by McLeay supplied an opening for Gill, who lost no time in registering from the penalty area with a ground shot. McLeav scored again after a solo rnri and in a lightning Onehunga reprisal Marlow rushed in from the wing to mish tho ball past Gerrard. A penalty kick awarded Onehunga in the closing stagea further reduced the deficit, the kick being taken by Dick. There was no further scoring. th« game ending:—Thistle, 5: Onehunga, 2. Mr. A. Parkinson was referee.

SUPERIORITY IN TEAMWORK.

TRAMUREWA BEATS NEW ACCORD

New Accord had Tramurewa well extended in the opening stages, but r the latter gradually wore down the opposition and ran up a good margin of goals. The ground was slightly on the heavy side, but the teams settled down quickly and commenced to sweep the ball about in a scientific manner. Bell and Spencer were the leading lights in Tramurewtt's attacking unit and several blight runs saw Blockley and Reid . seriously extended in keeping their goal intact. Munro countered swiftly on several occasions to set Dunsmore and Low against the Tramurewa goal and from one of these forceful movements Galloway received and placed New Accord ahead with a fast ground drive. Good goal-keeping by Morris was instrumental in keeping the New Accord goal intact when Tramurewn strenuously attempted to wipe off the deficit McMillan and Mill were now coming into prominence on the Tramurewa left flank and the pair were the mea_ns of supplying Spencer with the opportunity to- equal the scores. A similar move saw Spencer add another goal to make the halftime score:—Tramurewa, 2: f»ew Accord. 1. A New Accord attack ripped the Iramurewa defence to libbons at the commencement of the second spell and Galloway received the last, of a chain of passes to beat Batty with a fine shot. Tramurewa gained the upper hand mainly through fine cohesion among the forwards. McMillan and Mill were working together splendidly and provided numerous opportunities for Spencer. "Reid defended strenuously for New Accord, but, tho onslaughts were too heavy for individual effort to triumph. Further goals were scored for Tramurewa by Spencer. Millan. Christie and Bell, the game ending with the score:—-Tramurewa. 6; New Accord "'Mr. E. Parkinson was referee.

NORTH SHORE SUCCESSFUL.

PONSONBY SUFFERS DEFEAT.

An interesting contest was witnessed when North Shore and Ponsonby met at Devonport. the decision going to the former by the odd goal in five. Sprightly runs by the North Shore right wing characterised the opening, Jay and Blaclue having Ponsonby defending hard. Ponsonby replied gamely for Lithgow to set Whaley m motion, the latter's finishing effort being well cleared by Jones. Both sets of forwards were moving prettily at_ this stage, but found difficulty in overcoming the defences. JjiiKe forced through to make Surteea handle and then Innes further livened proceedings with a sparkling run. his transfer to the forward line being well taken by; but the North Shore defence triumphed at the critical moment North Shore assumed 'i decided advantage 111 the closing stages of the first half. Luke and Blackie both getting through to register good goals, making the score at the spell:—l North Shore. .. Pmisoifby established a dominance on resuming and had the North Shore defence troubled with a series of incisive raids. Diamond accepted an accurate centxe from Whaley and reduced the deficit with a snap shot and shortly afterward the same forwald levelled matters with another well-placed shot. ' Play became fast both forward lines striving hard for the lead. j. hnd a narrow escape when Luke found mm self weli placed, Surtees anticipating well to take the contre-f orwnrd s North Shore secured the decidinEt Kpai shortly before the finish, the ball being forced over the coal-line subsequent to a melee in the goalmouth The game ended with the score:—North Shore. 3; Ponsonby, "'Mr. G. Shand was referee.

y.M.O.A. TAKES POINTS.

ANOTHER DISPUTED GOAL.

A fast and exciting fiame resulted between V MCA and Celtic in the contest played sajs-rfi .a?ss SSfe collected from a mele.e and notchedanothe iroal shortly afterwards, the Celtio Roai Cponftr being given little chance. T-he double reverse spurred Celtic to greater effort and a of attacks saw Hiliard handte under pressure. Ansteed could have forced his way toward tha goal on two occasions, hut showed a lack of initiative A halftime the score was:—Y.M.C.A., eit , 10, .,„ A brief Y.M.O.A. attack was seent at the ononin" of the second half, hut Celtic re pulsed and marshalled its forces for a strong counter. A pretty and in trie ate movement among the fo ? wards saw Ansteed receive arid make amends for bis former mistakes, his parting shot having Hilliard well beaten. The success heartened Cejtio, which was seen in a number of bright offensives which culminated when Hunter speculated hom jonix range, the ball rebounding off a defender on to the upright i and .then ™te the goal, Y M C.A. then took a .firm grip on the ex changes and persistent effort m , ct th T "; ward when B.iddolls scored a neat goal Just before the close a Celtio forward shot, fiom long range, and although the ball o enter the net just uncW the bar. the referee ruled otherwise. The ®une ended almost immediately; with the score. Y.M.C.A., 3; Celtic, 9. Mr. J. 8. McMillan was refereo.

LOWER GRADE RESULTS. Reserve Grade.—Tramurewa. 4, New .Lynn, 2- North Shore. 2, Ponsonby, 1; Onehunga. 6," Thistle, 2; Y.M.C.A 1, Celtic 1. o> Second Grade, —Y.M.C.A., 3. Tamaki,. Comrades, 6, Northcote. 1; Glen limes, o, B Third 1 Grade Open.-Abel's, 5. Tramurewa, ° Third Grade Intermediate.—Comrades, 13, Northcote, 0: Belmont, 5. Tamaki, .4. Fourth Grade.— Burnley, 2. Y.M.C.A. B. °* Fifth Grade.— Onehunga, 3, Belmont, 9; Y.M.C.A. A, 12, Y.M.C.A. B, 1: Comrades B, 1, .St. John's, 1; Metro-College a, O. Ta sTx a th' Grade.—Y.M.C.A. A. 1, Onehunga 1; Tamaki, 4, Belmont B, 2: Metro-College, 1, Northcote. 1: Comrades C. 1. 'Seventh Grade.—Y3l.C.A. B, 3, A, 2; Y.M.C.A. C, 2. Belmont B, 1: Y.JU-.A. D, 0, Comrades C, 0; Comrades B, Tamaki, 1. SECONDARY SCHOOLS' MATCHES. Senior Grade.—Auckland , Grammar, 1. Mount Albert B, 0; Technical College, Mount Albert A, 0. a 7 Intermediate Grade.—Mount . - Kowhai, 0;, Mount Albert C O, le r c^' c ¥ College C, 1; Mount Albert B, ,i, iecnm Ca jumor ' Grade.—Mount Albert nical College A, 2; Ivowhai. 1. Mount bert B, 0. ' GAMES IN OTHER CENTRES. [BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Christchurch.— Western, 4, Manst, 0; Nomads, 5, Rangers, Is Technical. 2, Thistle, 1. Dunedln.— High School Old Boys, 2, Seacliff, 1; Maori Hill, 4 Northern. 1:; Mosgjd. 2, Mornington, 1; Technical Old Bojs, 1, Port Chalmers, 0. BROWN SHIELD CONTEST. SOUTH AUCKLAND'S GOOD WIN. [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] HAMILTON, Sunday. The South Auckland Football Association s representatives ware successful in resisting a challenge for the Brown Shield yesterday by defeating North Auckland by 4 gOals to 2. There was a large attendance of spectators. North Auckland attacked from the whistle and showed excellent combination in the forwards. The South Auckland backs _ were sound on defence, and repelled the visitors on several occasions. A successful movement by the home team enabled Liddle to score. Play in the visitors' favour followed and only Smith's splendid goal-keeping saved South Auckland from failure, wouth Auckland rallied, and the attack culminated m another goal. Neale registering. The visitors opened up the play in the second half, and their clever footwork and straight shooting gave them a decided advantage over South Auckland. Time and again Smith was called on to save. ]S,£rtn Auckland secured two goals in succession, the first by Tunstall and the second by Ackers The reverses nettled South_ Auckland. which turned its defence into. vigorous attack. More use was made of Liddle the outside right, and he scored South Auckland's third goal ofi a pass _ from Patrick. Shortly afterwards a combined raid m which Mills, Liddle, Neale and Patrick took part, gave Hall an opportunity which Jie ■made the most of. The game ended with the score:—South Auckland, 4; North Auckland, 2. Mr. H. Sliller. Auckland, was referee.