SOCCER GAME

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23034, 11 May 1938, Page 24

SOCCER GAME

SURPEISE VICTOEY NORTH SHORE IMPROVES WEAKNESS IN FORWARD LINE LACK OF COMBINATION The surprise of the championship Soccer games last Saturday was the comfortable decision gained by North Shore over the strong Mount Albert Grammar Old Boys' eleven. Offsetting; the scientific methods of the Mount Albert halves with rugged tackling and aggressive tactics. North Shore gradually wore down the opposition and had a firm grip on the exchanges at the finish.

The North Shore eleven represents a combination of youth .and experience and the side should do well, but the club has a record for inconsistency. However, on its showing on Saturday the team should meet with a fair amount of success this season. The defence is very dependable, the back line especially, incorporating Gerrard and West# being impressive. In spite of a long and strenuous career in senior football, Gerrard still retains much of his former dash and cunning, and he is probably the hardest back in the competition to pass. The halves are also a sound trio. Walters, with his experience to help him, is always endeavouring to work up an efficient attacking combination, while Cronin and Sale have been verj; impressive with their sturdy defensive methods. The salient weakness in the side is a lack of combination in the front line. There are several individuals of worth, but tbe.v would be much more effective working in unison. Havdon, who is an outstanding player, possesses fine constructive ability and a penchant for scoring goals from all angles, but his usefulness is nullified to a great extent by the lack of understanding among the other forwards. F. Blackie, after a long period as a halfback, has not yet adapted himself to the inside forward position, being inclined to fall back too far.

NEW CLUB FORMED FIRST UNIVERSITY SIDE GREAT ENTHUSIASM SHOWN For the first time in the history of the University of New Zealand, an Association football team representing one of the constituent colleges has entered serious competition. This season lias seen an eleven representing Auckland University competing under the control of the Auckland Football Association, and, judging by the keenness of its members, it should not be long before the club ranks as one of. the major sports organisations of the college.

In spite of its recent formation, the team, which plays in the third senior division, has shown definite promise and has a fairly good record to date. A narrow loss by 2 goals to 1 was suffered in the first match of the season, while the second game resulted in a draw. Continuing its improvement, the side gained its first win last Saturday.