ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20989, 28 September 1931, Page 10

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

FALCON CUP CONTESTS.

THISTLE DEFEATS TRAMUREWA. Y.M.C.A. BEATS NORTH SHORE. Two Falcon Cup semi-final matches on Saturday constituted the senior programme of the Auckland Football Association. Both games were played at Blandford Park, where the surface, although covered with water in parts, priced surprisingly firm underneath. The principal contest was between Thistle an 1 Tramurewa. and after a thrilling struggle lasting two hours, the former snatched a narrow victory. Y.M.C.A. proved too strong for North Shore in the curtain-raiser game Following were the results:— Thistle. It; Truinu rewa 2. Y.M.C.A.. 2; North .Shore. 0. THRILLING PLAY. Til AUuH EVY A (; 0 JiS DU\V N. In a thrilling, and at times brilliant, encounter Thistle gained the better of Tniniurewti after half an hour's extra time had been played. Right from the whistle Spencer took the bull through the Thistle defences with the remainder of the Irumurcuva van following, and from a rebound off the goalkeeper McMillan netted. J.wo Tramurewn forwards, lying on the ground in front of the goalkeeper, were given j'lfside. however for interfering with the ijlay while in an offside position. Thistle retaliated in lightning style and a. brisk movement promised result, but. ilislop threw away a line opportunity. The Tramurewa Forwards were displaying some sparkling fool-work, and on several occasions went very close to scoring, a considerable amount of luck being mainly instrumental in keeping the Thistle goal intact. Thistle was finding il hard to settle down and any danger which threatened _ the Tramurewa goal came from purely individual efforts. Stewart tried strenuously to break through the Tramurewa backs, but Tinkler held him up repeatedly. A minute prior to the spell Mill went through the defence in a solo burst and scored with a ground shot, making the score at the interval:—Tramurewa, 1; Thistle, 0. Thistle displayed a better understanding nfter the resumption, and after a couple of brief Tramurewa raids had been repulsed the Thistle van, supported by a strong lialtlilie, commenced hammering away at the Tramurewa goal. Wright almost connected with a long ratlgQ effort, and Ciitnmings, had he shown more initiative, might have put the bull beyond Batty s reach on a couple of occasions. A series of corners failed to benefit irustle, the Tramurewa defence standing up well to the pressure. It Appeared that Jr&muiewn was to hold its advantage to the finish, but a couple of seconds before the ejul Words got through to even tlio score und extia time was necessary. Excitement Was intense during the extia time, Thistle filling the attacking role for the most part, with the Tramurewa sido defending strenuously. Woods sent, in to Stewart just as the first half of extra time was closing and the latter shot a great goal. Tramurewa livened up nfter this and Mill, who had been shaping dangerously throughout the gam J went through to the line ami crossed for Bell to collect and score. In a thrilling finish Cummings received ill front of the goal and scored with an easy shot to give Thistle the decision. Bell was ordered off just prior (o the cloße. The final Score was Thistle. ;}• Tramurewa. 2. Mr. R. H. Parfitt was referee.

Y.M.C.A. SUCCEEDS. NORTH SHORE'S GOOD EFFORT. North Shore was considrraljlv understrength when opposed to Y.M.C.A. and did well to run the latter to a fairly close decision. The contest sparkled at times, but for the moat part consisted of drab exchanges. North Shore <licl not start well, the Y M C.A. van cleaving the defences in a smashing raid. Kay sent, across a fine drive, which, although partially saved by tlio goalkeeper, left R. Riddolls in a position to tap tile ball into the net. The North Shore backs were having a strenuous time coping with Y.M.C.A.'s constructional ability. Jones sent Blackie awa,y and the latter almost pierced the Y.M.C.A. backs. Jones found Milliard alert with a fine first-time drive. One or two luore fine opoprtunitiea came North Shore s way. but Y.M.C.A dominated the remainder of the spell. Thornes put Y.M.C.A. further nhead with a, good shot. The score at the interval was:-Y.M.C.A., 2; North Shore. North Shore, which had been playing short in tlio first spell, took the field with a full team after the interval, and gave a much better exhibition than previously. Klwell and Haines operated dangerously on the right flank, the first-named almost, breaking through on several occasions, only to be held up by a stern defence. Milliard was again called upon and was not, found wanting. M. Kay then raced down the Y.M C.A. flank and crashed 111 a shot, but A Smith. North Shore's reserve grade goalkeeper, effected a magnificent, save. I lie same plaver had shots sent, in for a period of 10 minutes, all of which lie was capable of saving. The game ended shortly afterward with, the, score 1 .M.L. A.. North Shore, f. Mr. A. K. Parkinson was referee. LOWER GRADE RESULTS. Reserve (! rade.—Senior Cup Final: Iramurewa, 7, Thistle, 3. RESULTS IN THE SOUTH'. I tIV TKLRGR.U'tr—rtIEPR ASSOCIATION.] Wellington.—Auld Cup: Diamonds, 1, Watersiders, nil CHristchurcli. In the English Cup final Western, i. heat Nomads, nil. HOWDEN SHIELD GAME. ROTOWAKO'S EASY WIN. [FI'.OM or 11 OWN conn ESI'ON HUNT.] HAMILTON. Sunday. A match between RotoWalo. the winners of the \Vaikato section, and Wailoa, the winners of the Cold fields section, wtis played at Uailiilloti yesterday for the South Auckland championship and the Hov.den Shield. Ihe game was won by Rutownro by 7 goals to I after a fast contest, in which the victors held the advantage practically throughout.