ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20947, 10 August 1931, Page 12

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

SENIOR GRADE CONTESTS. LEADING TEAM DEFEATED. THISTLE BEATS NORTH SHORE. A full series of games in the second round of the Auckland Football Association's senior championship was decided on Saturday in fine weather. Playing on Blandford Park, which showed considerable improvement after tho dry spell of weather, Tramurewa gave a sterling display of teamwork to down the championship leaders, Y.M.C.A., in a convincing manner. North Shore fought determinedly in the first spell of the curtain-raiser with Thistle, but was overwhelmed by superior combination in the' second half. Celtic gained the decision over a weakened Ponsonby 6ide at Walker Park,, while Onehunga registered a win against New Accord on the latter's ground at New Lynn. Following were the scores:— Tramurewa, 4; Y.M.C.A., 2» Thistle, 5; North Shore, 1. Onehunga, 2; New Accord, 1. Celtic, 2; Ponsonby, 1. The following table shows tho positions of tho teams:— „ , Goals. Ch. P. W. L. D. F. A. Pts. Y.M.C.A. ..12 9 2 1 33 19 19 Thistle .... 12 8 3 1 48 20 17 Tramurewa . 11 8 3 North Shore 13 6 7 Ponsonby .. 12 3 G 3 '*o ~0 J Onehunga . . 13 3 7 3 lb 27 9 New Accord . 12 3 7 2 24 45 8 Celtic .... 13 3 8 2 22 43 8 TRAMUREWA TRIUMPHS. DEFEAT OF Y.M.C.A. Maintaining its recent good form, Tramurewa secured a convincing win over Y M C.A. in tho principal gama at Blandford'Park. The exchanges were fast and interesting throughout and some really fine football was witnessed. Very even exchanges characterised the opening stages until Y.M.C.A. came to tho foro with a series of raids, which had the Tramurewa defence sorely tried. Humphreys connected with a fine drive from well out and wren a goal seemed certain the ball swerved just wide of the post. Tramurewa gradually wore down tho offensive and Bome pretty passing moves were seen from Well, McMillan and Mill. One of these oore fruit, the ball moving in a perfect chain formation for Williams to put the finishing touch with a enap shot, which slid on tne post into tho not. Tramurewa continued its offensive tactics, broken only by EPa ßl ™' die moves among the Y.M.C.A. vanguard. Mill and McMillan were especiaUy dai'berous for the attackers, several of their intricate passing bouts having the Y.M.UA. defence in shreds, but £.-o«cd responsible for no result. \ j ? Ic matters when, Chalmers »nd Kay, unmarked, nodded the ball past Batty. Y M C.A. received little satisfaction from its goal, however, for almost immediately Mi made a sparkling run and crossed for Bell to take in magnificent style and net from, an almost impossible angle. The score at half-time was:—Tramurewa, 2; Y.M.C.A.. A slight recovery was staged by Y.M.C.A. after the interval, but the attacks lacked sting. Riddolls and Hamilton both received good chances, which were frittered away, and then Tramurewa came in a swift counter which saw McMillan whip in a nice shot after receiving a rebound frotn Hilliard. The reverse put fresh life into Y.M.C.A. and a scuffle on the Tramurewa goalmouth resulted in the deficit being reduced, Humphreys anticipating well to head the ball past Batty. The ball flashed back and forward before the Tramurewa goal in tho subsequent exchanges, but the inside forwards failed to use the opportunities presented. Tramurewa retaliated afler a scramble in the Y.M.C.A. nrea \villiams netted the fourth goal. Ihero was no further scoring, the final score being: Tramurewa, 4; Y.M.C.A., 2. Mr. G. Shand was referee. THISTLE TOO STRONG. SUPERIOR COMBINATION. The Thistle-North Shore encounter at Blandford Park provided good football for three-quarters of tho time, but over the hist stretch Thistle's superior combination gave tho game a very one-sided aspect. North Shore, exploiting "kick and rush methods, had Thistle in difficulties from tho start, but Thistle gradually wore down tho offensive. Hislop, ftJcLeay and Gill moved in pretty formation and McLeay had New in difficulties with a ground shot. North Shore moved again in spasmodic fashion and two or three good chances in front of the goal wero lost, Williams, at left back, coming through strongly on -each occasion to.clear. Play swung fairly evenly ■ for a time, although Thistle's constructiveness inspired morp confidence, lho speU was well under way before the first score came, Thistle forging ahead when Gill received from "his half-line and sent in a long shot which completely deceived Tho score at half-timo was:—Hustle, 1; North Shore, 0. . , Tho North Shore halfhne was so occupied with the clever Thistle attacking quintet after the spell that it had little' chanco of offering assistance to its forwards. McLeay was showing good form at centreforward for Thistle and was unlucky not to score on numerous occasions. \\ oocls also secured several good chances, but, poor shooting was his weakness. Blackie, Wilson and Crowley led a determined onslaught on Thistle's goal, but a misunderstanding at the crucial moment saw the citadel come through unscathed. An interchange of passes between Wright, McLeay and CUDI* ming put Thistle further ahead, the lastnamed arriving ftt an opportune moment to crash' the ball past Shortly afterwards ft penalty kick was given asramst New and Gilt scored. A sprightly North Shore-■.offensive produced immediate result when Reid put across a perfect centre and Webh ran through to finish. Gill and McLeay both scored again for Ihistle in the closing stages', the final score being:— Thistle. 5; North- Shore, 1. ; Mr. R. M. Beswick was the referee. CELTIC GAINS VICTOR*. PONSONBY SUFFERS DEFEAT. In a fast and thoroughly interesting contest, Celtic took the full points from a weakened Ponsonby side at Walker Park. Conditions were excellent and conducive to • scientific play Celtic's superiority in the forwards was the factor which ewayed the balance of the play in its favour in the opening stages. Ponsonby was • no weakforce. however, and retaliated strongly, the ball moving from goal to goal in «juick style. The Ponsonby defence, with MoCosh to the fore, underwent severe pressure. Swales and Cole figured in promoting a swift counter instituted by Lith-

gow and the ball fell nicely in the area from a centre, but Cole was off the mark with his shot. Shots rained in on tlio Ponsonby goal for a spell, but Surteea proved equal to the occasion until a defender handled in the area. Rimmcr took

the kick to make the score at the spell which followed soon aftorw«xrds:-~Celtic, Ponsonby, 0. . The Celtic vanguard was again a dimcult problem after the spell> Blair, Intyre and Bimmer heading numerous raids which had Surtees ever watchful. Grimes paved the way for Celtic> second goal, a clever feint to shoot in a transfer to Mclntyre, who crashed the ball home. Prior to the finish Dimery forged through to score for Ponsonby. but the game ended shortly afterwards with the score: Celtic 2; Ponsonby, 1. Mr. A. E. Parkinson was referee.

SUCCESS OP ONEHUNGA.

FAST GAME WITH NEW ACCORD

In a fast, open game, characterised by undue vocal effort on the part of certain of the players, Onehunga beat New Accord on the latter's ground by the odd goal in three. Onehunga kicked off facing the sun and immediately pressed, Drown clearing under pressure. Twinn cleared to Low, the ball going to Dunsmore, who put in a first-time shot, which Zuill partially cleared. McDonald followed up, however, and scored .from close quarters. Onehunga now pressed, but poor finishing proved. severe handicap, and New. Accord tool downfield for Dunsmore to test Zuill. galloway sent in a strong drive, which /mil punched clear. Two free lacks to Onehunga just outside the area proved fruitless and Dunsmore got away, only to find a stumbling block in Polwm. Dick with only the goalkeeper to beat. but he overran the ball. The score at half-time was;— New Accord, 1; Onehunga, 0. A lot of give-and-take play followed the resumption. Dick shot hard at the New Accord goal, but Nicholsons b™ds appeared in the way, and Dick took the resultant penalty to make the score level. Hard play followed, with many uncalled for comments from the players, a fact which did not appeal to the spectators, and the referee issued a general caution. McDonald gained possession to bring Mull AO his knees with a hard drive, but the latter threw round the post. From a melee in Onehunga's goalmouth Woodhall cleared to Huston, who took up and centred to Dick. Nicol received and went straight through, giving Brown no chance and putting Onehunga in the lead. canie with Onehunga attacking and the game ended with the score:—Onehunga, 2; New Accord, 1. , ~ . Mr. H. W. Mardle was referee. LOWER CRADE RESULTS. Reserve Grade.—Tramurewa. 4. North Shore. 2; Ponsonby, 1. Onehunga, 0, Lhiatle, 2 'Second'Grade.—Dacro Cup: Glen Innes, 6, Comrades. 3; Burnley 4, Abela, 2. Third Grade Open.—Tramurewa, 4, keltic. 1; Burnley, 5. Glen Innes, 4. Third Grade Intermediate.—Tamaki, l, Mount Albert Old Boys, 0; Comrades, 2, B Fmuth Grade.—Y.M.C.A.. 2, Mount Albert Old Boys. 1; Metro-College A, 4, Comrades, 2 • Glen Innes, 1, Burnley. 1; Metro-College n! q ymc A B 1 Fifth Grade.—Y.M.C.A. A, 2. Comrades A, 0; Metro-College A. 6, Onehunga. 1; Tamaki, 4 Y M.C A. C. 0; Metro-College B, 2, Tech"KoiW A. a. Belmont A. 2; Comrades A, 3. Onehunga, 1; Comrades B*. 4, Comrades C. 1. „ _ , Seventh Grade.—Belmont A, 2 Comrades A 1; North Shore, 4, Y.M.C.A. B, 0; Comrades C. 2. Y.M.C.A. C, 0; Comrades B. 2, Y M.C.A. D 1; Belmont B, 3, Tsmaki. 0. 'Secondary Schools.—Senior grade: Mount Albert A, 5, Grammar, 0; Technical. 2, Mount Albert B, 0. Intermediate grade: Mount Albert A. 1, Takapuna, 1. Junior grade: Technical A. 8, feacred Heart. U; Kowhai, 5. Technical B. 0. BROWN SHIELD CHALLENGE. SOUTH AUCKLAND WINS AGAIN. [fkoji our. own correspondent. 3 HAMILTON. Sunday. Supporters of Association football were treated to a bright exhibition of the code at Seddon Park yesterday, when a challenge match for the Brown Shield was played between the holders, South Auckland, and Manawatu. The game ended in South Auckland's favour by three coals to two. "Weather conditions were fine, although the ground was heavy, and tho_ large attendance testified to the increasing popularity of Soccer in Hamilton. Play of a spectacular nature was witnessed from the kick off. The visitors had the advantage in the first spell, and the work of B. McSheffrcy, J Stewart, and W. Lyons, the Manawatu halfback line, often had South Auckland in difficulties. Stewart, an English schoolboy international player, gave the spectators a fine exhibition of stylish footwork and kicking. Through his efforts Manawatu scored its first goal. South Auckland rallied, and after several unsuccessful shots at poal Juidale directed the ball to the net. The goalkeeper,' J. Crowe, fumbled, and South Auckland was awarded a sroal. Half-time came with the score:—South Auckland, 1; Manawatu, 1. South Auckland played better m the second half, and its superior stamina saved the situation. From a corner-kick Latimer directed the hall in to the net. Immediately afterwards Phillips centred from the side.-line and Diddle completed the movement with a good shot. Manawatu. which was obviously tiring, made a final effort and Good all goaled. The game ended with the score:—South Auckland, 3; Manawatu, 2. For fiouth Auckland. T. Dodds. -Latimer. Gardner Mills, Beaumont and the goalkeener. \V. Smith, played particularly well, while the visitors' best plovers were Stewart. Lyons. McSheffrey, Henrsav and J. Crowe, the goalkeeper. Mr. J. Baillio was referee. SOUTHERN RESULTS. Thy telegraph.—press association.] Results of Association football matches in the South on Saturday are:— Wellington.—First division: Seatoun. 3, Hospital, 3; Marist, 5, Diamonds, 2; Petone, 6, "Waterside. 1. Anld Memorial Cup: Thistle, 4, "W.Y.M.1., 1. Christchurch (Chatham Cup).—Nomads, 1, Dobson (West Coast), 0. Dunodin.—Northern. 2, High School Old Bovs, 1; Mosgiel, 4, Maori Hill, 1; Seacliff. 5, Technical Otd Boys. 4; Port Chalmers, 5, Mornington, 1.