THE ASSOCIATION GAME

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22398, 20 April 1936, Page 13

THE ASSOCIATION GAME

FIRST MATCHES OF SEASON GOOD STANDARD REVEALED The Auckland Football Association opened its season with two matches at Blandford Park on Saturday. Conditions were ideal, although an end-to-end wind caused the ball to drop deceptively. Both matches gave promise of good football during the coming season. The early game, was between two senior second division teams, Philomel and Eastern Suburbs, and proved to be a solid encounter, the score of one-all at half-time being a fair indication of the merits of the teams. In the second half the Eastern Suburbs back division worked well and sent the ball up to the forwards, who. however, threw many chances away when favourably placed. The final score of 3 —l to Philomel was somewhat flattering. The chief attraction was between Thistle and Mount Albert Grammar Old Boys, last season's champion of champions. From the outset the pace was surprisingly fast for the first match of the season, and there was very little slackening off throughout. The Old Boys played with the wind in the first half, and. although the Thistle defence was deeply penetrated, Williams proved a hard player to pass. Several good chances were spoiled by seneing the ball over the bar when close in. Thistle fought hard, and Carter, on the left, swung over several nice passes, but Holdsworth and a sound halfback line maintained a keen defence, and the (earns changed over without scoring. Thistle used the wind to make ground, but Warren effected some good saves, and a long puss out to Woods on the left saw him register the winning and only goal scored. The game revealed a high standard of play, and Mount Albert deserved its win. Messrs. W. Guest and J. C. Sibbin were the respective referees. CONTESTS IN CHRISTCHURCH [by telegraph—press association] CHRIS'! CHURCH, Sunday Association football matches played yesterday resulted:—Western A, 10, Linwood 1; St. Albans, 4, Technical A, 0; Western B. 2, Rangers, 1; Thistle, 2, Nomads, 1.