THE ASSOCIATION GAME

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21273, 29 August 1932, Page 12

THE ASSOCIATION GAME

NAVY CHALLENGE MATCH REASON BANNER CONTEST ° u tl C DIOMEDE AND DUNEDIN DRAW ® A S There was a good attendance at Blandford Park on Saturday to watch tho chal- j lenge contest for tho Reason Banner t between H.M.S. Dunedin, holders, and h H.M.S. Diomede, an interesting match end- j ing in a draw. Tho weather was fine and t tho ground in perfect condition. Dunedin displayed a marked superiority in tactics and £ weak shooting was all that prevented it j from winning by a clear margin. J The teams were:— v H.M.S. Dunedin. —Lawrence, Preston, Orr, t Oakley, Lund. Wilkes, Swan, Clarke, Carlill. B Tite, Drury. v * H.M.S. Diomede.—Ellman, Burnett, Miles, Pask, Bradley, Crowley, Elwell, Connor, Leonard, Durford, Scott. Dunedin displayed a mid-field superiority at the start, a series of incisive raids keep- j ing tho Diomede defence alert. Clarke and Swan showed a good understanding on tho right and swept to the corner flag twice j in quick succession, but Miles made a good j recovery on each occasion. Diomede set the pace when a lengthy clearance landed on i Leonard's head, the ball being nodded cleverly to Connor, who made tracks for goal with Elwell and Dunsmore trailing in support. Orr intercepted quickly, however, and j activities settled temporarily in mid-field, where cleverness in initiation by both forward lines was nullified by even better defence. Lund eet the Dunedin forwards in motion with a perfect pass to Swan, which the wing took in his stride and slipped the ball to Wright when challenged. The last- - named burst through determinedly and flashed in a fine shot, which grazed the outsido of tho post with tho goalkeeper well j beaten. A characteristic dash took Leonard 1 through to the area, where a pass to Scott ; found the last-named well placed. The ball j flew from liis boot, straight for the corner , of the net; but Preston headed clear. Dun- 1 edin asserted itself during the closing stages of the half, but duo to a pronounced weakness in front of goal, several fine chances were lost. There was no score at the spell. Tho second half opened brightly, tho Diomede citadel being bombarded by the Dunedin forward and half lines for a period of five minutes. Wilkes lobbed in a brilliant long-rango 'shot, which had Ellman grasping uncertainly, but the goalkeeper made a fino recovery. No respite was given i the Diomede defence, however, and when i Clarke opened up play in the Diomede area j Carlill accepted a pass and snapped the . ball info the net. A few minutes later Miles, in attempting to stem a further Dunedin 1 offensive, handed in the area. Lund took the spot-kick and crashed the ball against tho ' crossbar. He endeavoured to shoot again, ' but as no other player had touched the ■ ball he thus committed a bieach and the free-kick gave Diomede relief. Diomede retaliated strongly, Leonard and Elwell both displaying epeed and thrust, whirh had the defence troubled. A series of melees in the Diomede area had the backs fully tested and when Leonard tapped out a pass to El- ( well the last-named scored, the ball going into the net off Preston. Maintaining its aggression, the Diomede vanguard worked with an understanding which had been lacking in its earlier play. Elwell eidefitepped with the ball in the area, but Wilkes brought him down and the referee indicated the penalty-spot. Miles took the kick, but kicked straight at Lawrence, who effected a good save. Leonard almost scored with a powerful drive at the other end. the goalkeeper fumbling for Lund to get back and save when a goal seemed certain. Time came with the scoreDiomede, 1; Dunedin, 1. Mr. E. Parkinson was referee.