ASSOCIATION GAME

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22457, 29 June 1936, Page 13

ASSOCIATION GAME

SENIOR GRADE CONTESTS

TWO SURPRISE VICTORIES

LEADING TEAM DEFEATED 7

The Auckland Football Association's first division championship competition was continued on Saturday under fairly favourable conditions. The grounds were inclined to be heavy, but 'the players were not handicapped to any serious extent. The surprise of the series was the defeat of Thistle by Comrades in tho game at Blandford Park. Mount Albert Grammar Old Boys also upset calculations by taking the points from Pon son by in a closely-contested match at Fowlds' Park. Metro-College proved superior to North Shore in the contest at Western Springs. Following were the results: —

Comrades, 7; Thistle, 3. Mount Albert Old Boys, 3; Ponsonby, 2 Metro-College, 5; North Shore, 1.

STIRRING CONTEST

OLD BOYS ON TOP

There was a large attendance at Fowlds' Park to witness the meeting of Mount Albert Grammar Old Boys and Ponsonh.v, and thore was not a dull moment throughout. Territorially the exchanges were very even, but Ponsonby found it hard to penetrate tho strong defence of the Old Boys' team. Old Boys gained the decision by tho odd goal in five. The turf was dead, and a slight shower at the start made conditions somewhat tricky.

Warren, in goal for Old Boys, gavo a sterling exhibition and slightly shaded Smith, the Ponsonby goalkeeper. Macfarlane impressed more than Horrocks, but the Old Boys' back lino was a solid combination and repfeatedly broke up tho > Ponsonby attacks. Ward, in tho centre-half position; showed up in constructive play. G. Iloldsworth got through an amount of solid play, while Turley was prominent on attack. Jepson was always aggressive at centre-forward, and he gave tho I'onsonby defence some anxious moments. Needham centred well, but was slow in anticipating accurate forward passes from J. Wood, a promoted junior, who gavo a very sound display, drawing his man before parting with tho ball. Woods'and Fyvie were always dangerous, although the latter would have done better had ho not tried to beat too many opponents. '

Smith had a hard time in Ponsonby's goal and he effected some good saves from close range. His tendency to punch the ball out. instead of gathering: it, was a fault in his play. Jones was at left back and he got in some solid work, but against the fast Comrades forwards ho had little time for accurate clearing. Ilaggett was outstanding. Time and again he broko up attacks and took the ball upflcld. Several of his shots were unlucky to hit the bar or posts. Sims and Masters, the wing halves, worked well, but, with the Old Boys swinging the ball about from wing to wing, their task was not an easy one. Chapman showed up in attacking movements until he received an injury, which reduced his effectiveness. Innes started at centre-forward, but he received little support from Riggans at inside right and iater changed places. Macfarlane made ground on the right and sent over some good centres -which went begging. Mullane and Caisley were always dangerous on the "left and Caisley showed many deft touches in sending Mullane away.

xr J " Woods and Jepson scored for Mount Albert Grammar Old Boys, while Caisley netted both of Ponsonby's goals. Mr. E. F. Miller was referee.

THISTLE DEFEATED SURPRISE BY COMRADES Bright forward play was a feature of the game at Blandford Park between Comrades and Thistle, the former securing a clear-cut and surprising victory.. Comrades showed marked improvement, the team as a whole revealing excellent form, and Thistle had difficulty in coping with the speedy opposing forwards and tho solid Comrades defence. The game had a somewhat remarkable opening four goals being scored soon after the commencement of play. The final score of 7 goals to 3 in Comrades' favour war a fairly good indication of the iJlay. Thistle was handicapped to a certain extent in the second spell owing to Angu3 receiving an injury. Although the Thistle centreforward resumed after attention, ho was of little use to his team. Later in the second ■spell Thistle also lost tho services of Dunsmore, who was ordered off for disputing the referee's decisions.

| An impressive showing was given by YearI bury in the Comrades' goal, and he received good support from the fullbacks Bentlcy and McKenna. The last-named tackled cleanly and kicked with judgment. Hooton and Hayward showed up for solid constructive and defensive work in the halves. These players often pushed through neat passes to the forwards. The forwards were an intelligent and active set. They swung the ball around nicely, quick changes of direction often throwing the Thistle defence off its balance. M. Francis, Marvin and Carter were responsible for pretty combination, while all the forwards were capable of taking advantage of an opening. Hunter had an arduous time in Thistle's goal, while Williams and Reid also had to work very hard in the defence. Williams was inclined to lose his position in the face of the fast Comrades' attacks. Watson and Wright were the best halves, but they found difficulty in checking the open methods of the opposition. The front division was haphazard in its methods, any progress made by the Thistle forwards being mostly due to individual effort. Wood and Kay wero tho most prominent. ■, Goals were scored for the winners by Marvin (4), A. Francis (2), and Carter, while Kay (2), and Angus scored for Thistle. Mr. G. Shand was referee.