THE ASSOCIATION GAME

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21805, 21 May 1934, Page 13

THE ASSOCIATION GAME

TWO GOOD DISPLAYS CLOSE MATCHES RESULT THISTLE STILL UNBEATEN Played under slippery conditions senior Soccer games on Saturday were responsible for exceptionally hard-fought football and, in most cases, close results. Two of the best matches of the season to date were witnessed at Blandford Park, where the rather slippery underfoot conditions did not prevent fast play. In spite of the fact that Thistle secured victory over Mount Albert Grammar Old Boys by four clear goals, the game was not as one-sided or as uninteresting as the scores would indicate. In the curtain-raiser a stirring match was witnessed in the meeting of Eastern Suburbs and North Shore United, tho former securing a close decision. Y.M.C.A., in another fast game, just managed to shade Ponsonby, while Comrades also showed improvement in disposing of Onehunga. Following were the scores: — Thistle, 6; Mount Albert Old Boys, 2. Eastern Suburbs, 2; North Shore, 1. Comrades, 2; Onehunga, 1. Y.M.C.A., 2; Ponsonby, 1. THISTLE SUPERIOR OLD BOYS DEFEATED Giving a display of all-round cleverness, in which sound defence and good tactics were features. Thistle gained the upper hand over Mount Albert Grammar Old Boys in the main match at Blandford Park. In spite of the fact that the greasy ball and slippery turf handicapped combined play both teams did their utmost to ovorcome these difficulties and succeeded in no small measure. The match was played at a fast pace throughout, which, with the ruggednese of the play, combined to keep interest at a high pitch in spite of the wide margin in the scores.

Mount Albert Grammar Old Boys lost «xiy chances of victory early in the game when its defence failed to settle down quickly enough and permitted Thistle to assume a commanding lead. Lawrence and Holdsworth. although giving a much better exhibition as the game progressed, were obviously nonplussed Dy the clever Thistle forwards. Turley, in goal for the Old Boys' side, was also distinctly off form and at least two of the early goals secured by Thistle _ must have been disheartening to the opposition in the simple manner in which they were gained. Although th& Thistle half-line, incorporating McLean, Watson and Nicholson, did not appear particularly strong in initiation, thoy showed a marked superiority over the respective Mount Albert division in defonce. Spry and Horrocks worked hard throughout, but the fact that Thistle held,such a commanding lead was a disheartening influence A marked improvement in the understanding of the Mount Albert forward line was. noticeable. Jepson. Spencer and Healey in particular (jiving much better displays. The forwards displayed fine .thrust, but invariably fell down at a critical stage through lack of finish. .Angus was not as impressive as on the previous week, showing a tendency to stray out of position, while his constructive work lacked his usual finish.

Owing to the fine defensive play of McCosh and Williams, Gerrard did not have to exert himself, in the Thistle goal. The blocking and kicking of the first-named pair was much too consistent to hold out much hopo for the attackers. In the Thistle forwards Dunsmore was outstanding for a display of first-class constructive ability and individual play. He distributed the ball splendidly and made plenty of ground on many occasions with solo runs, with fine footwork and speed. Wiseman was also impressive, while Williamson and Woods were dangerous when given the opportunity. Williamson (2), Dunamore (2),, Kay and Wiseman scored for Tnistln, while Angus and Healey netted for the losers. , Mr. A. E. Parkinson was referee.

EASTERN SUBURBS WIN HARD GAJIE WITH NORTH SHORE A very spirited and interesting game resulted in the meeting of North Shore and Eastern Suburbs in the curtain-raiser at Blandford Park, the latter side securing a win by the odd goal in three. The exchanges were lively throughout, the game culminating in a splendid finish as both teams battled for the honours. It was easily one of the best early games seen at Blandford Park for several seasons. It was a greatly rejuvenated Eastern Suburbs forward line which set out to bewilder North Shore in the first 15 minutes, the vanguard working like a machine under the splendid direction of Ward, at centre-half. The passing of the opposing forwards had both the North Shore half and back lines completely nonplussed and, while the experience of Gerrard and Corbett stood }<orth Shore in good stead during the first few minutes. Eastern Suburbs was unlucky not to have benefited more by its skill. Ward was easily the outstanding halfback on the field, his efforts for Eastern Suburbs being-consistent and polished. In tackling ho was always sound, while his passes were well aimed and productive. A fine display of allround back play was also given by the Stone brothers. Covering one another well, they presented a front against which many North Shore attacks wilted. The Eastern Suburbs inside forwards, Glaieter and Flashman, revelled in the heavy going and were responsible for sending their fellow forwards away on the attack on many occasions. Mulhine and Welch were always speedy and dangerous on their respective flanks. The most noticeable weakness in the plav of the North Shore team was the lack of understanding among the various units. In the early stages the halves, too far back, embarrassed their fullbacks. This failing on tho part of the halves also had the effect of leaving a space of about 'lO yards in which the Eastern Suburbs forwards and halves could work. Tho North Shore forwards were consequently starved, apy clearnnce from the backs being quickly taken by the Eastern Suburbs halves and sent back.

Corbett and Gerrard. althipugh having to perform more than their fair share of the work, acquitted themselves well, while Cowie was cool and handled safely._ Good, hard work by Ekman and Walters in the halves failed to make up for their weakness in positional plav. Although the North Shore forwards received few opportunities they failed to impress when in possession. Hitchens and Moore saw very little of the play owing to their desire to stay too far out on their wings. A variation of their play, by cutting in occasionally, would have given the forward line more thrust. East and Mullane scored for Eastern Suburbs, while Walters scored for North Shore from a penalty kick. Mr. W. Mitchell was referee.

SUCCESS OF Y.M.C.A.. HARD AND CLOSE GAME Ponsonby and Y.M.C.A. met at Western Springs and nn even, hard match resulted. ■Neither side showed much constructional play. Both teams used similar methods to gain ground, long passes from wing to wing keeping the game open, but the greasy nature of the ground spoiled many good movements. Y.M.C.A., in a large measure, owed its success to the fine goalkeeping of A. Smith. Playing with coolness and judgment, ho repeatedly repelled dangerous raids. Riddolls was on form and his clearances got his team out of difficulties. It was the half-line that worked the hardest. There was fine understanding between Coltman, Chapman and Thornes. McFarlane showed flashes of his usual brilliance, but Y.M.C.A. made the greater part of the play on its left wing, where Hamilton and Hill proved most aggressive. Watson played a good game for Ponsonby and, but for the spoiling tactics of Haggett. and cool clearances of Stewart, he would have had a lot more to do. Masters easily outshone the rest of the half-line, playing with a keen knowledge of the game. Grant's robust methods did not meet with the approval of many of the spectators. Wright led the front line and. together with Inncß at inside left, harassed the defence. Innes and Ellis, on the right wing, were associated in several promising raids in the second spell. The scorers for Y.M.C.A. were Chapman and Hamilton, while Ellis netted a penalty goal for Ponsonby. Mr. B. Rickard was referee. COMRADES' FIRST WIN VICTORY OVER ONEHUNGA The Onehunga. ground was in a soft condition when Comrades defeated the local team beforo a fair crowd of spectators. _ A strong wind, blowing from end to end, militated a-gainst good football, and the gajne was of a generally scrappy nature. Both teams failed to take advantage of the conditions, and in the firßt spell Comrades was extremely lucky not to have been two or threo goals down, instead of one up. Jones was the main factor in both the attack and defence of the Comrades teiim. His judicious passing inspired his team with confidence. Marvin and Francis were most aggressive, while the good work of Egan in breaking up attacks and swinging the ball across to tho opposite wing saw Foreman more than once catch the defence napping. White was the sounder of the backs, and he seldom wasted a kick. _ , ; Blockley showed out more than Webster in the Onehunga backs. .7. Williamson was the only one of tho halves to show constructive play, although R. Lindsay was a. tower of strength in breaking up attacks and supporting the backs. The forwards seemed strangers to each other. Forrester played his usual good game. A. Gavan, in the centre, worked hard, but lacked support from tho centre-half. Ahern and Williams, on the wings, were not given enough opportunities. Onehunga played too much as individuals. Francis and Marvm scored for Comrades, while Ahern netted for Onehunga. Mr. J. Calvert tvas referee. LOWER GRADE RESULTS Second Grade.—Abel's A, 9, Swanson, 0: Abel's B, 3, Onehunga, 2; Metro-College, 15. Ponsonby B. 2: Henderson. 5, Eastern Suburbs, 4; Thistle, 6, North Shore, 0; Comrndes, 9, New Lynn, 3. Third Grade Intermediate. —Eastern Suburbs. 5, Thistle B, 2. Fourth Grade.— Metro-College, 4, Ivorth Shore, 2. _ , Fifth Grade.—Abel's, 14, Eastern Suburbs, 0; Comrades B', 5, Y.M.C.A. B, 1; Y.M.C.A. A, 8, Onehunga, 0. „ Sixth Grade.—Comrades B, 11, Thistle, 0: Metro-College, 6, North Shore A, 1: Abel's, 7. Y.M.C.A. C. 0; Y.M.C.A. A, 16. Y.M.C.A. B, 0; Comrades A, 3, Eastern Suburbs, 1. Soventh Grade.—Comrades A, 1, MetroCollege, 0: Comrades B, 4. Eastern Suburbs B, 0; North Shore B. 3, Abel's, 0; Y.M.C.A. C, 8, Y.M.C.A. B, 1; Eastern Suburbs A. 12. Y.M.C.A. A, 0 Midget Grade.—Comrades, 0, Y.M.C:A., 0. GAMES IN OTHER CENTRES [by TELEGRAPH —rRESS association] Christcliurch.—Thistle, 11, Rangers, 1: Technical Old Boys, 8, Linwood, 1; Nomads, 6, St. Alban's 0. Dunadln.—Maori Hill. 4, Northern, 2; SenclifF, 4, Old Boys. 1; Technical, 3, RoslynWa.kari, 2: Mosgicl. 6, Mornington, 1. Wellington.—Marist, 8, Waterside, 0; Petonc. 5, Swifts. 0: Hospital, 5. Diamonds, 0; Hutt, 4, Nado, 2.