SOCCER GAME

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23050, 30 May 1938, Page 14

SOCCER GAME

SENIOR COMPETITION SEVERAL EXCITING CONTESTS SURPRISE BY NORTH SHORE Slightly greasy grounds were experienced for tho sixth series of games played in tho senior championship of tho Auckland Football Association on Saturday. Although handicapped in tho early stages, tho players soon accustomed themselves to tho conditions, and most of tho games provided fast and exciting struggles. Tho improving North Shoro sido created a surprise in tho principal fixture at Blaiulford Park by defeating Thistle. This was Thistle's second defeat in succession, and North Shoro has now taken tho lead in tho championship. An interesting encounter at I'owlds Park saw Mount Albert Grammar Old Boys secure a narrow decision over Ponsonby, while Abels upset calculations by downing Eastern Suburbs at St. Heliers. Y.M.C.A. had its first success of tho season against MctroCollego at Western Springs, and Comrades experienced no difficulty with Oneliunga at Onehunga. Following were the scores: — North Shore, 3; Thistle, 1. Abels, 3; Eastern Suburbs, 1. Y.M.0.A., 3; Metro-College, 2. Old Boys, 2; Ponsonby, 1. Comrades, 8; Oneliunga, 1. THISTLE FAILS AGAIN POINTS TO NORTH SHORE A clever and hard-fought exhibition of tho code was provided by the North Shore and Thistle elevens in the main attraction at Blandford Park on Saturday, tho former, which had a territorial advantage for the greater part of tho game, securing a welldeserved victory. The North Shoro team presented a well-balanced uppcarancc, tho backs and forwards co-operating splendidly, and the Bide varied its play nicely with smart movements up tho centre of tiio field, relieved at intervals by intricate and forceful work on tho flanks. Thistle matched its opponents in cleverness of methods, but tho usual dash and incisiveness was missing from tho play of the forwards.

Clean handling and keen anticipation wero features uf Cameron's display in goal for North Shore. Ho took risks in punching out tho ball when it could havo been handled safely, but otherwise his work inspired confidence. Tho fullbacks, West and Gerrard, wero as depeudablo as usual, showing fine finderstanding in covering up thoir goal. North Shore has built up an excollont half-lino, and it was mainly duo to the efforts of tho middle division that tho team was ablo to subdue Thistle. Walters gave an outstanding display tit left-half, combining aggressive defensive measures with highly intelligent work on attack. His sweeping passes, directed cunningly to the centre and tile flanks, opened up the way for many telling movements. Sale, too. impressed with his solid defence and efficient backing up. The fine combination between tho halves and forwards was responsible for one of the best goals witnessed at Blandford Park for several seasons. The bull travelled a distance of about 70yds, propelled from one North Shore player to another by precise passes, before C. Blackie squared nicely and Haydon slammed the ball into tho net. One of the most-improved players in the front lino is Sime, whoso ball control and speed proved a constant source of worry to the Thistle backs. Haydon showed himself a fine opportunist, although his shooting whs not up to his usual standard, while Stevenson led the line in a virile manner. P. Blackie fell back repeatedly to assist his halves, and as a result, his brother, 0. Blackie, did not receive much support on the right flank. • Appleyard was Thistle's custodian in the absence of Warren, who suffered an injury (he previous week. Tho newcomer showed good anticipation, but his handling was not of the best. The fullbacks, Stone and Williams, found the paco of the opposition a little too much to contend with. Williams, who frequently cut across to cover up his partner's orrors, was the nioro impressive. The driving force in the halves was Morris, who played his best game since entering Auckland football. Aggressive tackling often gave him possession of the ball, and ho made somo t>owerful bursts through tho centre, especially during the closing stages, in an offort to wipe off his team's deficit. Several of his long-range shots had Cameron fully extended. Wood, Caisley and Angus were the most dangerous attackers, but their play was mostly individual, which made the task of tho North Shore backs much easier.

Goals were scored for the winners by Haydon (2) and Simo, while Caisloy netted for Thistle. Mr. Haycock was referee. STRONG DEFENCES ABELS SLIGHTLY SUPERIOR Characterised by hard play throughout, the match between Abels and Eastern Suburbs at St. Heliers provided a largo crowd of spectators with exciting exchanges. Both sides had sound defences, Abels being just sufficiently supermr to lead at half-time by tlio only goal scored. Birchall was 'cry sound in Abels' goal, although he had more time in which to clear than Cowie, who came through a lot of hard work with credit. The outstanding back on the field was Rqss, who, with Kimher, stemmed many Eastern Suburbs attacks and, with long, well-placed clearances, returned Abels to the attack. The middle line, comprising Jones, Haycock and Waters, was a fast-moving division. Ekman in tho centre was the most agressivo forward, llobiuson made several solo runs down tho lino to scud over perfect centres, Archer making a good partner lor him. On the left Colley and Hamilton, the latter a little slow, showed out in some dangerous movements. Against tho dangerous Abels lino Howieson and Gay made a good showing, and, with A. Welch playing tho third-back game, many dangerous raids wero stopped. Bishop and Diamond .lid not give their centre enough support, although they played soundly. The inside men. It. Welch and Hitcheis, wero inclined tu- j»lav too far up. Cummings and Kay, the wiii-mien. did not have sufficient opportunities. Ekman (2) and Hamilton scored for Abels, wbilo It. Welch netted for Eastorn Suburbs. Mr. G. Grieveson was referee. CLOSE STRUGGLE Y.M.C.A.'S FIRST WIN Y.M.C.A. gained its first win of the season at the expense of Metro-College in an exciting game at Western Springs. The fast-movinsr Y.M C.A attack kept MetroCollege mainly on the defence during' the first half and Y.M.C.A. was full value for its two-goal lead at half-time. In the second spell Metro-College showed out,, with better combination and the exchanges were more even, hut the final score of 3—2 in favour of Y.M.C.A. was a good reflex of the merits of the teams. Milliard was brilliant in goal for Y.M.C.A. and saved tho side with good anticipation of snap shots. There was little to choose between Swift and Moore, both providing a sound defence and placing their clearances to advantage. In the middle line Wood, Lewis nml Glajstcr tackled well and seldom lot the attack nag. The front lino was not so inclined to over-run the play as it has in previous games. Jones in the centre distributed tho play well, always hfinor in position for the return pass. MeNaughton and Dowding showed up in combined movements, which wero always dangerous, while on tho left Shaw and Hurcombe swung tho ball about in a baffling manner. Williams in the MelroColleco goal had little chnnco with the shots which beat him, while Cleal, although placing a sound defensive game, had few opportunities of starting attacks. Quigg nt right-half and MeMcchan on the left had a strenuous time. There was not the usual combination in tho front line and Pulliinoro and Fl.vger on tho wings essayed long shots in preference to wasting centres. Jones (3) scored for Y.M.C.A., while Dallimoro and Brackeuridge netted for MetroCollege, Mr. R. C. Brighton was referee. PONSONBY IMPROVES CLOSE DECISION TO OLD BOYS Rcveraj changes wetc made in the Ponsonb.v side, which lias shown improvement in its last two games, for the match with Mount Albert. Grammar Old Boys at Fowlds Park. An exciting contest resulted, in which Old Boys took the full points mainly due io a sound defence. Saunders gayc a sound display in goal for Old Hoys, saving well under pressure. Sims impressed more than Speed, but both backs

cleared to advantage. Ward in the pivot position was sound on defence, qnickly" recovering to send his forwards away with nico passes. On the right Woodhali broke up many Ponsonby attacks ami combined well with Borriman and "Wood. Cherry at left-half also showed out in several clever movements. Noedham and Fyvio showed improvement in combined play, whilo Jepson distributed tho play along tho lino and was to the fore in several dangerous attacks. "Watson in Ponsonby's citadel had an anxious time, but he earned applause with clever saves. Ekm an and Mastors wero sound individually, but their lack of understanding gave Haggett ill tho contre-half positiou a iot of extra work on defenco, which reduced his attacking powers. Whilo Harold Heywood and Rouso played a sound breaking-up game as wing halves, they failed to cooperate with tho front lino. Chapmnn led tho attack, being aggressive throughout, but tho main danger camo from the left, where Farnan and Mullano combined well to send in some powerful shots and dangerous centres. Bcrrinimi and Wood scored for Mount Albert Grammar Old Boys, Farnan netting for Ponsonby. Mr. A. Firth was refereo.

AN EASY VICTORY ONEHUNGA OVERWHELMED Onehunga was without tho services of two of its usual players in the game against Comrades and two fifth grado boys filled the vacancies. Tho game proved one-sided, Comrades winning by eight goals to one. A. Francis (5), M. Francis C2) and Carter scored for Comrades, whilo L. Phillips netted for Oneliunga. Mr. J. Calvert was refereo. OTHER GRADE RESULTS Reserve Division.—Mount Albert Grammar Old Boys, ts, Ponsonby, (); Y.M.C.A., -1, Thistlo, "J; Motro-Collcge, H, Abels, 0; North Shoro, 9, Chelsea, 1; Oneliunga, r>. Grey Lynn, 'J; Suburbs B, Training College, O. Third Division, —Chelsea, 4, University, 2; Onehungu, 7. Y.M.C.A., 1. Third Intermediate Division.—W.Y.M.l., 2, Abols, 3; Motro-Collego, 4, Mount Albert Grammar Old Boys, 1; North Shoro, 4, Grey Lynn, <>. „ Fourth Grado. —Ponsonby, 2, Y.M.C.A. B, 3; Suburbs, 1, Comrades. 1; Metro-Collcgo, 8, Oneliunga, 1; Comrades A, 1, JT.M.C.A. A, 0. Fifth Grado.—Thistle, 2, Onehunga, 0; Motro-Collego, 0, Y.M.C.A. Rovers, (I. Sixth Grade.—North Shoro, 4, Y.M.C.A. Rivals. Oj Thistlo, 0. Comrades B, 0; Suburbs, 17. Y.M.C.A. Spurs, <>'. Seventh Grado. Onehunga, 7, North Shore, 1. , _ Eighth Grade. —North Shore, 3, Comrades B, 1 ; Suburbs 1, Y.M.C.A. Rivals, 0. Secondary Schools. —Senior grade: xakapuna, 1, Mount Albert, Grammar A, 0. Intermediate grado: Auckland Grammar, 1, Mount Albert A, 0; Takapiinu, 5, Mount Albert B, 0; Technical, 8, Otahuhu, 0. Junior grade: Kowhai, 3, Auckland Grammar, 1; Mount Albert, 2, Technical A. 2. Churches' Association. —Sandringham, 8, Mount Albert, 3; St. Judc's. ti, Church of Christ. 1. PRIMARY SCHOOLS' FIXTURES Tho following primary schools' Soccer matches will be held at Victoria Park tomorrow:— „ . . T . Victoria Park Group.—-Senior: Napier Street v. Beresford Street. No. 4, 3.15 p.m.; Newmarket v. Bayfield,. No. 3, 3.15 p.m.; Wellesley Street v. Napier Street A, No. <5, 3.15 p.m.; Grafton, a bye. ROVERS BEAT HUNTLY STARR [KKOSI OUK OWN COBKKSX'ONDKNT] HAMILTON, Sunday In the South Auckland Football Association's competitions yesterday Claudelands Hovers defeated lluntly Starr by 3 goals to 1. MATCHES IN THE SOUTH [by TKLKGIIAPI.I —I'RKSS ASSOCIATION] Wellington.—Seutoun, 3, Waterside, 3; Diamond, 1, Scottish Wanderers, 3; Petone, t, Hospital, 1; Marist, 1, Technical Old Boys, 0 (abandoned), Chri»tchurch.—Thistle, 3, Nomads, 0; Rangers, 4, Technical, 4; Western, 7, Y.M.C.A., 0.

Duriedin.—Maori HilJ, 0, Cavorsham, 0: Seacliff, (>, Roslyn-Wakari, 1; High, School Old Boys, 0, Moni'.ugtou, 3; Mosgiel, 4, Northern, 1-