THE ASSOCIATION GAME

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21617, 9 October 1933, Page 13

THE ASSOCIATION GAME

THISTLE TEAM'S GOOD WIN PONSONBY PLAYS DRAW FINE GAME WITH ABELS In spite of splendid weather and ground conditions, the principal match played in the senior Association football championship between Thistle and Comradeß at Bbindford Park on Saturday was extremely disappointing. Thistle, having matters all its own way in a high-scoring game, ran out winners by a margin of five goals. A much better contest resulted in the enrtaiuraiser between Ponsonby and Abels, a fine encounter ending with a division of the points. North Shore United accounted for Y.M.C'.A. in an uninteresting game at Onehunga, while, on the same ground, Glen Innes beat Onehunga. New Lynn surprised by inflicting a telling defeat on Tramways at New Lynn. Following were the scores:— Thistle, 8; Comrades, 3. Abels. 1; Ponsonby, 1. New Lynn, 4; Tramways, 0. North Shore, 5; Y.M.C.A.. 1. Glen Innes, 3; Onehunga, 2. The following table shows the positions of the teams to date:— Coals Ch. P. W. L. D. F. A. Pts. Thistle ..18 13 4 1 00 31 27 Ponsonby . . IT, !) 1 0 45 28 24 Glen Innes . 17 9 3 5 45 32 23 Tramways . . 17 9 4 4 38 31 22 Abels ..18 8 (> 4 45 49 20 North Shore 18, 7 8 3 51. 45 J7 Y.M.C.A. .18 7 9 2 37 44 10 Comrades . . 18 4 10 4 38 54 12 Onehunga ..18 2 12 4 31 50 8 New Lynn . . 18 3 14 1 '23 40 7 EASY WIN TOR THISTLE COMR A DES OUTCI ,ASSED A very disappointing exhibition was given in the Thistle-Comrades match at Blandford Park, Thistle gaining an exceptionally easy victory by 8 goals to 3. Seldom could Comrades muster enough strength to extend Thistle, which was content to move along at just sufficient pace to make sure of the points. From the commencement Thistle demonstrated that it had a safe control of the exchanges, and three goals were scored in about 15 minutes. Comrades' aggression was exceedingly limited and received little consideration from the Thistle defence. By halftime Thistle had a lead of four goals. The second half saw Thistle taking but a passing interest in matters. Nevertheless goals continued to pome to the Thistle side, while Comrades, profiting by the lack of vigilance among the Thistle backs, added two goals to its tally. *Khe goal-scorers, for Thistle were: Williamson (4), Kay (3) and Wright, while Skinner, Marvin and Wright netted for Comrades. Mr. E. F. Miller was referee. PONSONBY DROPS A POINT ABELS' SOUND DISPLAY One of the best curtain-raiser games seen at Blandford Park for a long time resulted from the meeting of Ponsonby and Abels, the play moving at a fast pace throughout. There was little t.o choose between the teams and Ihe decision might have gone quite fairly cither way. Favoured by fast ground conditions, the players flashed the ball rapidly from end to end. Both defences worked splendidly under pressure. Howlett showing up well for Abels, while Stewart and Grant kept the penetrative! Abels vanguard at bay. While the midfield work of the Ponsonby forwards was more impressive than that of Abels, the latter showed more directness in f.ronfc of goal and it was only stern defending which'offset this advantage. McLeay and Gill were always dangerous in sweeping frontal mores, while Hitchert <vas responsible tor several sparkling runs on the left flank.f His finishing was not up to his usual {standard, however. Innes, Grant and Hagget were all round players for Ponsonby.'.Tepson scored a fine goal for Ponsonby, while Gill secured his side's goal with a magnificent long range drive which gavo tile fPonsoiiby goalkeeper no chance. Mr. Rickard was referee. i ] WIN FOR NORTH SHORE Y.M.C.A. SUFFERS DEFEAT In a rather uninteresting game at Onehunga, North Shore got th* better of Y.M.C'.A. and finished with a large margin oC goals in its favour. Ground conditions were not of the best, but the players were not hampered unduly. North Shore made the pace from the commencement and pushed home several strong attacks which, with McClnskcy operating at centre-forward, proved too formidable for the opposition to cope. with. North Shore finished the first half with an advantage of three goals. Tne North Shore defence was playing fairly w*l! but a fair amount of Y.M.C.A.'s lack of success was due to , wild shooting and passing. Tho second spell saw Y.M.C.A. in a better light and North Shore had to do a fair amount of defensive work. Cowie, the Y.M.C.A. goalkeeper, was playing in the forwards and he had the North Shore goalkeeper troubled with several splendid drives. The general play, however, was uninteresting, both tennis failing to display combination of senior grade. North Shore added a further goal in the second half. McCluskey (3) and Stevenson f'2) scored tor North Shore, while Cowie netted for Y.M.C.A. Mr. W. Mitchell was referee, INTERESTING MATCH GLEN INNES AND ONEHUNGA The game between Glen Innes and Onehunga, at the. lfttter's ground, was full of incident, and was easily the best seen at Onehunga during the season. Glenn Innes attacked early through Glaister and R. Welch, and almost scored. Onehunga's junior defence, Webster and Showier, soon settled down and in spit© of good placing by Gay and nice passing by Flashman the Welch brothers were allowed little scope. The Onehunga half-line, worked, hard. Davis being particularly aggressive, and good work by Wood ha 11 and Forrester gave J. Donaldson and Freeman several chances. "Warren, however played soundly, and sent several hard shots over the bar. 11. Stone was more reliable than Lis brother, whose infringement gave Onehunga tho first goal. The second half was very fast, both goalkeepers having many strenuous moments. R, Welch finished off a fine movement by Flashman with a beautiful goal. Onehunga immediately retaliated, the ball finding the inside of the post from tho foot of .1. Donaldson. Both sides forced several corners, but, only one was turned to advantage. this equalising the score. The closing stages were. characterised by hard,' clean play, with tho territorial advantage even. Over-eagerness spoiled many fine movements. Glnister's persistence- was eventually' rewarded, and Glen linnes won by the odd goal in five. "Mr. W. Austin was referee. AGGRESSIVE TACTICS SUCCESS OF NEW LYNN The meeting of New Lynn and Tramways at. New .Lynn resulted in a hard game, in which the aggressive tactics of the local players proved too good for the studted l>las of the visitors. A. Reid was outstanding in breaking up raids, and was chiefly responsible in turning back Tramwayß early attacks, in which Bell and. Jones made some lino openings. Tramways, played to the let wing too much, and as most of the passes were placed well ahead of Donaldson, it was obvious that the pace would tell. J ink lei and Hitchens had a difficult task. Gavin having to clear severnl times, in the ' a . ce of strong onslaughts. Brown was the driving force in the local van. and accepted any opportunity, his two goals in the first spelt being good efforts. The eecond half saw New Lynn bustling the defence, but Tramways slowly gained ttie ascendancy, lii spite of good work hy wen and McMillan, the front, lino could not score, and two breakaways by McGrory completed Brown's "hat trick." ilhams and Spencer missed several scoring cliancep. while Donaldson, although suffering f' 011 ! * injured knee, made valiant efforts to reduce the leeway. Brown (3) and Mj';G'p r J l the scorers for New Lynn: Mr. L. I arkinson was referee. WELLINGTON CHAMPIONSHIP [ny TE LEG RATH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON. Sunday By defeating Swifts by 3 goals to 1 Petonc is now equal with Marist, at the bead of the Wellington Soccer ladder. It will play-oTt for the champianship next Saturday.