THE ASSOCIATION GAME

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21793, 7 May 1934, Page 13

THE ASSOCIATION GAME

SENIOR GRADE CONTESTS THISTLE DEFEATS COMRADES OLD BOYS' TEAM DISAPPOINTS For the first time so far this season very soft conditions were experienced for Soccer matches in Auckland. 'J.he third series of games under the control of tho Auckland Football Association was decided, when some close and interesting contests were witnessed. Thistle continued its run of victories by accounting for Comrades in a convincing manner at Western Springs. Chief interest centred in the meeting of Ponsonby and Eastern Suburbs at Blaudford Park, where the former

secured the full points after a hard but not particularly spectacular game.

The muddy conditions were not to the liking of the Mount Albert Grammar Old Boys' team in tho curtain-raiser match at Blnndford Park, Onehunga securing a clear-cut victory. In a fast and exciting struggle at Dcvonport, Y.M.G.A. proved too good for North Shore. Following arc tho scores: Ponsonby, 2; Eastern Suburbs, 0. Thistle, 4; Comrades, 0. Y.M.C.A., 3; North Shore United, 2. Onehunga, 3; Mount Albert Grammar Old Boys, 0. The following table shows the positions of the teams:—

Goals Ch. P. W. L. D. F. A. Pts. Thistle . . . . 3 3 Ponsonby . .. 3 2 1 8 7 4 Y.M.C.A. . ..3 1 1 1 6 8 3 - North Shore ..3111083 Mt. Albert 0.8. 3 1 1 1 G 6 3 Onehunga . . . 3 1 1 1 8 fi 3 Eastern Suburbs 3 12 Comrades . . 3

PONSONBY TOO STRONG EASTERN SUBURBS FAIL After the very heavy rain of the previous two days Blandford Park was show ing the effects of a thorough soaking whgn Ponsonby and Eastern Suburbs met in the principal match. Clever footwork was difficult under the conditions and it was not •surprising that the combination of either team did not reach a high level. Nevertheless the contest had a good deal of interest for the greater part of the time, the play being of a hard and fast variety. The ball was swung about delightfully in the opening stages, Eastern Suburbß showing a somewhat marked superiority at this type of play. It dominated the early part of the game, and, but for poor finishing, must have had a couple of goals to its credit. Darwin distributed the ball well during this period and Glaister and Welch did their utmost to further his initiative. The two last-named were playing out of position and much of their worth was lost through a tendency to stray. The second half saw Ponsonby confining play to closer methods, which had Eastern Suburbs at a disadvantage. Haggett played a splendid game at fullback for Ponsonby, effectively stopping any offensive tactics by the opposition. His ability to frustrate an attack before it had time to develop' appeared to dishearten the attackers. Stewart, Diamond and Grant also were very useful both as attackers and defenders. An early injury hampered Innes, but "Wright and Wilson showed fine attacking qualities and proved the spearhead of the Ponsonby vanguard. Wilson kept his forwards well supplied with the ball by accurate crosses, while Wright impressed by his ability to make a quick decision. He scored two good goals. Throughout the game the defensive -work of the Stone brothers was of a high standard. They made a barrier between the Ponsonby forwards and their own goal which underwent considerable storming. It was only toward the end. when R. Stone moved up out of position to try and bolster the attack, that the Ponsonby forwards found their work easier. Wright scored both goals for Ponßonby. Mr. W. Guest was referee.

FAST GAME AT DEVONPORT Y.M.C.A. BEATS NORTH SHORE After having a good hold on the game against Y.M.C.A. at Devonport, North Shore United allowed its, opponents to take control and win by the odd goal in five. At the interval North Shore held a two-goals lead in spit© of the fact that the visiting aide was playing, if anything, the better football. The North Shore team's tactics were the right kind for goals, however, the ball being sent among the halves and forwards at a fast speed. The first half saw many tussles between the opposing half-lines. Blackie and Tile, working as inside-forwards for North Shore, made plenty of ground and numerous openings. North Shore relied too much upon individual play, and. if tho visitors could have settled down, the score ivould have been different. This was proved in the second spell, when Y.M.C.A. quickly reduced its deficit, and, battering down the North Shore defences, in spite of splendid goalkreping by Cowie. went on to take the lead. North Shore, taken by surprise, then failed to adopt attack as tho best means of defence. Too much extra defensive work was thrown 011 Gerrard, Ekman and "Walters, who all played well. A. Smith, recently transferred from North Shore, was playing his first game in goal for Y.M.C.A., and he gave a good account of himself. Mowat was the more solid of the two backs, but Riddolls' dash was instrumental in upsetting several of North Shore's raids. The half-line, composed of Thornes, Chapman and Coltman, was somewhat stronger than that of North Shore. Their distributing of the ball showed more direction than that of the home players. Riggans, Hamilton and Hill proved the most forceful of the forwards. Pearson (2) and Riggans scored for tho winners, while Blackie and McCluskey netted for North Shore. Mr. E. Parkinson was referee.

WIN FOR ONEHUNGA MOUNT ALBERT OUTPLAYED Owing to the heavy rain of the previous days the playing area at Blandford Park was in a soft condition for tho early game between Onehunga and Mount Albert Grammar Old Boys. Onehunga lost Williamson, who was injured just after tho kick-off, and played one short for tho rest of the game. This handicap seemed to inspire the team, and, in spite of the greasy ball, which spoilt many promising movements, a fast and epcctncular contest ensued, with Onehunga showing better combination and more understanding. Every player in the Onehunga team justified himself, but tho work of the youthful back division. Blockley. Webster and Sager, in repulsing dangerous raids and initiating attacks, gave Forrester and his front line chances to break through a ragged defence. J. Gavan, in goal, played a cool, calculating game, and cleared well in the face of dangerous rushes. Tho coach of the Mount Albert team. Spencer, played, and the tendency of (he halfbacks to make him tho receiving point lor most of their passes wont a long way toward the team's downfall. Hcaly, who has a fine turn of speed, was always dangerous, and his centres were accurate, but Jepson and Angus, although always 011 tho alert, were allowed little scope to work in. Spry had a day off and, in conseqnenco, G. Holdsworth had a lot of work to do. The play of "Woods was somewhat offset by a tendency to hold on to the ball too long. There seemed to bo little understanding in the defence, and at times Turley was baulked by his own players. Tho final scoro was ft fair indication of tho game. Forrester (2) and A. Gavan were the scorers for Onehunga. Mr. A. Firth was referee.

MARGIN OF FOUR GOALS

THISTLE'S HARD FIGHT

On a sodden, waterlogged ground nt Western Springs, Tliistle had a hard struggle to defeat the youthful Comrades team, in a game which was far from being as onesided aa the score would indicate. The usual studied tactics of Thistle were greatly offset by the determined attacks of Comrades, which played an open game. The treacherous conditions and a stern defence spoiled movements which were always dangerous and a- large number of spectators witnessed a very even struggle. Comrades' coach, D. .Tones, was in the pivot position, and he played a> great part with his accurate forward passes in inspiring the .team with Egan and Kinnaird had the measure of Kay and the dangerous Hislop-Kay combination was allowed little scope. While Thistle adhered to short passing, Egan, of Comrades, opened the play with long crosses to Fearon and Marvin, whoie combination was deserving ,of goals. On the other wijig* Evans axid

Francis were always aggressive, and sorely harassed the defence. Page could hardly be blamed for the goals scored, although he made no attempt for the third one, which seemed to be going over tho top. Thistle lias to thank a rugged defence in Ritchie and Williams for its win. Ucrrarcl had little opportunity in keeping his goal intact, but his habit, of swinging the ball behind him when throwing clear nearly cost a goal. With the Comrades' defence concentrating on the wings, Williamson had a lot of latitude, winch ho took advantage of. The 2 goals to 0 advantage held b.V Thistle at half-time and the final score of i goals to 0 was hardly a fair reflex of tfic exchanges, although Thistle was superior. The scorers for Thistle were: Williamson (3) and Kay. Mr. W. H. Tugby was referee.

lower grade results Second Grade.—Comrades, 2, North Shore United. 1; New Lynn A, hj, Onehunga, 1, Abel's A, 12. jScw Lynn B, 0. Third Grade Intermediate.—Mount Albert Old Boys, 8, Y.M.C.A., 1; Eastern Suburbs, Fourth Grade. —Metro-College. 8. Y.M.C.A., 0; North Shore, 1, Mount Albert Old Boys, ° Fifth Grade.—Abel's. 4, Comrades B. 0; Y M C.A. A, 2, Comrades A, 1. Sixth Grade.—Comrades A, 2, Metro-Col-lege 0; Y.M.C.A. A. 3. !North Shore A. 0;° Comrades C, 7, Y.M.C.A. D, ° r Shore B, 9, Y.M.C.A., 0; Abel's, 3, CorarUSeventh Grade.—Comrades A, 9, Y.M.C.A. A, 0; Thistle, 3, North Shore B. 3; Comrades B won by default from Abels: Abel s A, 1, Metro-College, 1. MATCHES AT DUNE DIN [flY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION*] DUNEDIN, Sunday Association football competition matches were the only ones played yesterday. Results:—Northern. 7, v. Technical Old Boys, I: Moruington, 4, v. High School Old Boys, Maori Hill. 3, v. Mosgiel, 0; Seachff. 5. v. Roslyn-Wakari, 2.