ASSOCIATION GAME

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22850, 4 October 1937, Page 16

ASSOCIATION GAME

MATCH AT CHRISTCHURCII

ENGLISH TROPHY CHALLENGE GOOD EFFORT BY AUCKLAND [by TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] CHRISTCHURCH, Sunday The Canterbury Soccer representatives retained the English Trophy in a 3 —3 drawn game with Auckland at English Park yesterday. Expectations that Canterbury would have the hardest game of the season were amply fulfilled, the northerners fully deserving to share tlio honours.

The 'Auckland forwards were superior to those of either Of ago or "Wellington, previous challengers, which had been soundly beaten this year. Blackie, outside-right, and Farnan, inside-left, were particularly clover, while Stone, the Auckland right back, also gave a fine display. Once more Canterbury gave an even, all-round performance, "Wilson, a newcomer to the side at right-half, fully justified his inclusion. The ground and weather were splendid, even if more suited to cricket than to football. There was a large attendance: — The teams were:—

Auckland. —Gavan, Stone, West, Sale, Cleal, Hooten, Blackie, McCallum, Angus, Farnan, Needham.

Canterbury.—Mcßae, Cawtheray, McMil lan, "Wilson, M. Gordon, A. K. Gordon Almond, R. Smith, G. Smith, Souter, Bur nand.

Canterbury lost the toss aud kicked off under almost perfect conditions. Blackie figured in early Auckland raids, which forced i three corners, but each time the Canterbury j defence held. When it was the home team's j turn. Almond and G. Smith led the attack and ono shot from the latter had Gavan on his toes. Neat work by the Auckland halves let their-right winger away again, but twice Mcßae came out to effect spectacular punching saves. McMillan and Wilson changed defence into attack for the holders. A fairly long spell saw Auckland on the defensive, but its halves fell back to pack the defence and to keep Canterbury out, A goal had to come, though. On the half-way mark Cawtheray sent a straight pass down the middle to Smith, who steadied a moment and then drove hard and high to a corner of the Auckland goal. But Auckland levelled in the next minute. Farnan took a short pass from the right and slammed a thirty vards' drive well out of Mcßae's reach. After offside had checked them once, the visiting forwards staged the smartest movement. of the match. Farnan beat a man and let the ball out to Needham. Back it came in a flash to Angus, whose hook shot was only inches too high. Then came another goal to the homo side, similar to the first. Near half-way Souter sent ahead and G. Smith raced through to beat Gavan all the way. Neat work by Wilson checked a promising Auckland move. The half-time score was:—Canterbury, Auckland, 1. In the first minute of the second spell Ncedham, Auckland left wing, threatened Canterbury's goal, Mcßae just turning the ball out. The home halves and forwards made a great opening for Burnand, who scored with a sharp drive. For a time it was Auckland's turn on attack, but each time the movements broke down at the critical moment. Play settled for a time to a long-kicking duel, marked only by somo good defence by Sale, playing at right-half for Auckland, and by a shot from Smithi which rattled the challengeis' crossbar. When the pendulum swung Auckland's way again, Angus just missed with a brilliant snap shot. Ihe northerners followed this with a combined forward move that spreadeagled the Canterbury defence and let Farnan in for a nice goal. Then West, the visitors' left back, initiated one of the best movements of the game. He ran 30 yards before sending out to Blackie. The winger dropped over a perfect cross and Mcßae had to make a grand save to keep Angus from scoring. When Canterbury swept back, Stone, who had been doing good service all through for Auckland, broke up a dangerous attack. Auckland profited by the respite to launch a midfield thrust, and Angus, with a lightning shot, levelled the scores. The game ended with the score:—Canterbury, 3; Auckland, 3.

HORNE CUP FINAL VICTORY FOR ACHILLES Exciting football played under ideal conditions was provided at Blandford l'ark in the final for the Home Cup between teams from H.M.S'. Achilles and H.M.S. Leander, the former winning easily by six goals to nil. Prior to the commencement of the game, the referee, Mr. J. C. Sibbin, referred to the death of Dr. N. McDougall, a life member of the association, and also to the deaths of the three naval ratings who were drowned on Thursday. Spectators and players stood in silence as a mark of respect to their memory, whila both teams and the referee wore black armbands. Achilles gained an early lead, which it soon increased, and although Leander fought back- gamely, it did not have the cohesion among the forwards or the combination between the middle and front lines to make an effective attack. In the second spell Leander showed out in several sound midfield movements, but its finishing lacked sting. Whitehouse in Achilles goal was seldom seriously troubled and geherally had plenty of time in which to clear. Watts and Wakefield cleared to advantage and their long kicking quickly reversed attacks. Lund, in the centre-half position, worked hard throughout and/ he received sound support from Price and Stevens, both of whom showed intelligent understanding with their respective wing forwards. Cotterell led the attack and distributed the play among the line. Levi and Brown gave brilliant displays with tricky runs and accurate centres, while the latter's direct methods were successful. Lindford aroused excitement with clever runs down the line and he drew the defence before sending tho ball well over to the opposite wing. Lincoln in Leander's goal made several daring and clever saves. McKenzie impressed more than Kcnnctt, but both backs had a hard time in covering the wing-to-wing play. The middle line as a unit was not effective. The inside men, Massey and Roe, had a lot of foraging to do and this spoilt any chance of combination. Tho wingmen, Aslett and Porter, swung across some centres which should have been turned to account.

Brown (3) Lindford and Cottercll scored for H.M.S. Achilles.

At (lie conclusion of (tie (fame the cup was presented to the winning team by the donor, Mr. F. V. Home, who later entertained tho teams at dinner.

LOWER GRADE MATCHES

DACRE CUP SEMI-FINAL

In the semi-final of the Dacre Cup contest played on Saturday, Y.M.C.A. defeated North Shore by two goals to one. Y.M.C.A. will meet Eastern Suburbs in the final next Saturday. In fhe third division knock-out final, Training College easily defeated Metro College by 5 goals to 2. Comrades defeated Y.M.C.A. in tho semifinal of tho fourth grade knock-out by 3 goals to 0.

MATCH AT ROTORUA [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] lIOTOHUA, Sunday

In a representative Soccer football match played at the Government grounds this afternoon, in' ideal weather, an Auckland fifth grado team proved altogether too strong for a team of Rotorua schoolboys, winning by 7 goals to 2.

BULLER BEATS WEST COAST [by TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION*]

WESTPOUT, Sunday

In an Association football match played yesterday in ideal weather, Buller (holder) retained the Peter Dawson Cup against West Coast's challenge, winning by 2 goals to 1. For Buller, Orman, Taylor, Trotter and Achbold, and for West Coast, Ice, Armstrong. Scott, Crowo and Stotton, were outstanding.

CLUB'S SMOKE CONCERT Tho annual prize-giving ceremony nnd smoko concert of the North Shore Association Football Club, which was held in the Navy League Hall, Devonport, attracted a representative gathering. Visitors from other clubs, the Navy, tho Auckland Football Association, and kindred sports bodies were present. The gathering was presided over by the Mayor of Devonport, Mr. H. F. W. Meikle. who congratulated the club on its successful activities during the season. Ho also presented the trophies, each member of tho senior eleven receiving a medal for winning the Auckland medal competition. Montion was made during tho evening of the loss suffered by the code in tho death of Dr. N. McDougall.