ASSOCIATION GAME

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22820, 30 August 1937, Page 14

ASSOCIATION GAME

MEDAL COMPETITION SUCCESS OF NORTH SHORE ABELS DEFEAT THISTLE Favoured by fine weather and fast fields, matches in tho Auckland Foothall Association's medal competition 011 Saturday produced bright and scientific play. Although there is still 0110 more scries of games to bo decided North Shore has won the competition, as it has established a lead of three points over the next nearest team. Thistle showed disappointing form in the main attraction at Elandlord Park, Abels proving greatly superior and taking an easy victory. North Shore, although it had much the better of tho play against Mount Albert Grammar Old .'Boys, could only draw. Owing to a misunderstanding regarding ground arrangements the Ponsonby and Comrades match at Western Springs was regarded as only a friendly fixture. The game, which was originally set down for decision at Victoria Park, was changed lato last week to Western Springs, and when tho teams arrived at the latter ground on Saturday they found that tho field had neither been flagged nor marked out. Under tho circumstances, tho referee refused to allow tho fixture to bo regarded as a competition game. Tho other matches resulted as follows: Abels; 7; Thistlo, 1. North Shore, 1; Mount Albert Old Boys, 1. CONVINCING VICTORY THISTLE OUTCLASSED Thistlo fielded a side which had liltlo | understanding in its defensive play against Abels in a medal cfame at Blandford Park. Although the conditions were conducive to a fast and interesting display, Abels' marked superiority had the erfect of making tho game somewhat ono-sided. Abels took the initiative from tho start, and lead by four goals at half-time. Thistle showed to better advantage in the second spell, and should have scored -on more than one occasion, but too much finesse in front of goal spoiled dangerous movements. Abels was well served by Birchall in goal, who showed sound anticipation and coolness in dealing with any direct .shots. G. Wright und Ross excelled in stemming Thistle raids and with well-placed clearances set their forwards in motion. Ross pleased particularly with his positional play and powerful kicking. The intermediate line had Chalmers in tho pivot position and he tackled with vigour and distributed tho ball along tho front line with judicious passes. Ripley, a, promoted junior, showed promise with firsttime clearances, and Owens, while not spectacular, gave a sound exhibition at right half. McLeay led the front lino and distributed the play nicely. On tho right Robinson and McCallum were the danger points. McCallum provided a clever display of inside work in making openings, while his powerful shots were always dangerous. Robinson gavo a good display, keeping his position well, and it was from most of his wellplaced crosses that tho scores came, while his shots also found the net twice. Kay and Hamilton combined nicely and harrassed the defence with elusive methods. Warren, in Thistle's goal, has been seen to better advantage, the close, bustling methods of Abels' front line not being to his liking. Simpson and Constable had a hard time with tho opposing attack, and their failuro to cover each other, combined with weak clearances, left the way open for Abels. Robinson, a player from H.M.S. Lcander, filled the centrehalf berth, and gavo a sound exhibition of the third-back game, but with little support his efforts to initiate attacks were generally repulsed. Watson, on the right, attempted to swing tho play and broke up several attacks, but Kruse tackled weakly, and tho line was of little assistance to the forwards. Welch and Caislcy both plavoii deep in an endeavour to form a connection with the backs and forwards, but they attempted too much close passing ngainst a superior defence. Wood was not impressive, and, although 110 made ground with clever touches, be was inclined to hold the ball too long before crossing. Angus worked hard in the centre, and was unfortunate to hit the posts and bar with powerful shots, which had the goalkeeper bci.ten. Had tho other forwards copied his first-time methods Thistle's defeat would not have been so heavy. Robinson (2), Kay (2), McCallum, Hamilton' and McLeay scored for Abels, whilo Angus netted for Thistle. Mr. A. Firth was refereo. DRAWN CONTEST NORTH SHORE AND OLD BOYS Although it held a marked territorial advantage for three-quarters of the game North Shore could only manage to draw in the match against Mount Albert Grammar Old Boys at Devonport on Saturday. Mount Albert secured an early lead, to which it clung tenaciously, but North Shore drew level half-way through the second si.el!. Although the home team was clearly dominant during tho 'ast half an hour'i play, it could not profit by its advantage, mainly due to faulty finishing work among the forwards. Mount Albert played bright and open football, and, although it was occupied _ defensively for the greater part of the time, gavo a game exhibition. A featuro of the North Shore side's display was the fine work of the defence, which kept the Mount Albert vanguard in check and at tho same time lost few opportunities of opening up the play for its forwards. Cronan proved himself a fast and aggressive player, his lightning dashes being greatly responsible for upsetting the opposing team's combination, while West also proved sound in all departments, although inclined to play the. man too mnch. The half-line, under the guidance of Corbett, gave ah impressive display. Sale was an earnest tackier, and showed bright initiative, while Chambers impressed most with his aggressive tackling. Corbett was the directing force, his brainy methods and neat passing being a treat to watch. The North Shore forward lino was different to that which ran rings round Thistle the previous week, but tho changes wero distinctly for the worse. Apart- from his speed Sinie, tho left wing, showed none of the requirements of a senior player. He was awkward and his ball control was definitely weak. 011 tho other flank C. Blackio was'little better, being .slow to grasp an opportunity, and be showed little inclination to part with the ball. Stevenson miproved greatly in the second spell, but he almost invariably spoiled brilliant runs by dwelling 011 the ball. Haydon was the outstanding member of the life. '"/J clean passes and accurate snap shots standing out n distinct contrast to the remaining forwards' haphazard tactics. Lidmnn was a trier, but ho did not receive many good | kc - c p| nff exhibit ion was given bv Gavan, who was thoroughly sound when dealing ciiher with high or low shots. Often he flung himself full length to touch tho ball round the posts, or darted oiit sinartly to intercept a. dangerous centre. Great credit must go to Speed for bis staunch defending. He carried the brunt of the work and many times repelled the opposition by sturdy tack-. ling and lengthy kicking. Ward was tho best of the halves, although the Mount Albert middle line did not havo much understanding. Tho most aggressive of tho forwards were Woods, Fyfio and Need ham. .Topson proved a disappointment at centre-for-Wn Necilham scored for Mount Albert and C. Blackio netted for. North Shoro. Mr. J. Calvert was referee. PROMOTION FOR METRO COLLEGE Tho early match at Binnford Park between Metro-College and Eastern Suburbs was tho deciding game of the ™d «oaior division for promotion to the first division next season. A fast and spectacular matt h resulted in Metro-College maintaining its unbeaten record and defeating Eastern j 3 "' 1 " urbs by two goals to nil. Cleal scored both goals. LOWER GRADE RESULTS Second Division.— Motro-College, 2, Suburbs 0; Y.M.C.A., 5, Mount Albert, 1; Onohunga, 4, North Shoro, '2; Ponsonby, 3, Ih Tliird —Metro-College, 2, Training College, 0; Ponsonby. 2, Y.M.C.A., 2. Third Intermediate tirade.—.Comrades, 5, Mount Albort, X; North Shore, S, Grey L> Fourtii -Grade.—W.Y.M.l., 1 Chelsea. 0; Comrades, 1, Mount Albert, 0; Metro-College, <1 North Shore, 1; Ponsonby, 1, Abels, 0. 'Fifth Grade, —Y.M.C-A. Rivals, 1, MetroCollege, 0; Y.M.C.A. Rovers, 6, Comrades A, 0. Sixth Grade. —Metro-College, 3, Suburbs, 0; Comrades A, .'3, Thistle, :l; Y.M.C.A. Rovers. 1, North' Shoro, 0; Comrades B, n, Onehunga, 3. Seventh Grade. —Comrades A, 1, Y.M.C.A. Rivals 0; Comrades B, 3, North Shore, 1. Eighth Grade.—Comrades A, 5, Comrades B, 1; North Shore, 1; Comrades C, 0. MATCH AT HAMILTON [from our own correspondent] HAMILTON, Sunday In a Soccer gamo played in Hamilton yesterday, Wanderers defeated the Rovers junior team by 7 goals to 1. SOUTHERN CHAMPIONSHIPS [IJY TI'XKGUAI'H —PRESS ASSOCIATION] Chrlstchurcli. —Western, 8, Y.M.C.A. B, 2; Thistle, 3, Nomads, 1; Lin wood, 4, Y.M.C.A. A, 2. Wellington,—Marist, 2, Hospital, 1; Petouo, ti, Technical, 3. >