SOCCER GAME

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23068, 20 June 1938, Page 16

SOCCER GAME

SENIOR COMPETITION CHATHAM CUP CONTEST draw after extra time A stirring struggle was provided by Thistle and Ponsonby in the combined championship game and local final of th© Chatham Cup competition, which vas the principal attraction on tho Auckland Football Association's programme on Saturday. The game resulted in a draw after extra time had been played, and, although each team will be credited with one point in the championship, the Chatham Cup contest will have to be replayed. North Shore, the championship leader, fielding a side much below its full strength, could only draw with Comrades at Victoria Park in a strenuous and exciting contest. MountAlbert Grammar Old Boys proved much too strong for Metro-College at Fowlds Park, while Abels won comfortably at the expense of Onehunga at the Domain. Suburbs scored narrowly over Y.M.C.A. at Western Springs. Following are the scores: — Chatham Cup.—Thistle, 5; Ponsonby, 5. Championship.—North Shore, 1; Comrades, 1. Old Boys, 8; Metro-College, 3. Abels, 6; Onehunga, 3. Suburbs, 2; Y.M.C.A., 1. PONSONBY IMPRESSES THISTLE'S LATE RECOVERY Although its record in Chatham Cup matches in the past is a brilliant one, P° n * sonby was not expected to make such a strong bid for the position of Auckland challenger as it did in the local final against Thistle at Blandford Park on Saturday. 1 onsonby has been disappointing in championship fixtures this season, so that it was distinctly surprising to see the strong Scots cloven extended to tho utmost, and at one time in danger of defeat. Ponsonby, in spite of the fact that it was ono short for the greater part of the game, gave an excellent display, and it was only over the closing stages that Thistle was able lo make a recovery. With the teams level at the end of »0 minutes' play, extra time was played, during which each team scored another goal. During the first half Ponsonby lost the services of Watson, who was ordered off for striking an opponent. Innes, who was showing splendid form at fullback, was forced to lake the goalkeeper's place, and Uie defence was weakened. Nevertheless, tho Thistlo attacks wer met in a staunch manner, the Ponsonby halves and fullbacks combining effectively and working unceasingly. Masters and Haggett gave excellent displays, although the latter, who received an injury, was of little use during the hectic closing stages. The outstanding players in the halves were Chapman and Ekman, both of whom defended brilliantly and manoeuvred their forwards iuto good positions. Forced to play four forwards after Watson's departure, Ponsonby concentrated on shock attacks, with individual work predominating. The wingmen. Mullane and H. Heywood, showed speed and fine ball control, and frequently baffled the defence by cutting in toward midfield. Mullane was well on the mark with his shooting. Farnan and McCallum were also dangerous Warren, tho Thistlo custodian, inspired confidence with his safp handling and quick anticipation, while Stone and Williams got through a great amount of work in a finished manner. The Thistle haif-ljne was a trifle unbalanced, owing to Ponsonby's determined tackling, but Watson and Morris were both responsible for some clever touches. Angus always required watching, but. Caisley and Wood attracted the most attention with their smart footwork and clever changes of direction. Wood held on to the ball too long toward the finish, Ihus robbing his supports of some splendid chances. Mullane (3). H. Heywood and McCallum netted for Ponsonby, while Angus (2), Dean (2) and Wood wero Thistle's goal-scorers. Mr. A. Firth was referee.

! EXCITING CONTEST COMRADES AND NORTH SHORE Fast and exciting: play was witnessed in the match between North Shore and Comrades at Victoria Park, in which the final score of one-all was a good reflex of the merits of the teams. Both goalkeepers were well tested, Yearbury in Comrades' goal placing his clearances better than Cameron. Riggans and McKenna provided a strong defence for Comrades, particularly in the second spell, when the, raids were generally of a sharp wing to wing nature. Page 'and Hay ward broke up well and combined nicely with their front line, Hooton in the centre had a strenuous time trying to mark the elusive North Shore forwards and, although hp got in some clever touches, he was often forced out of position in order to direct the attack. A. Francis led the forwards and distributed the play along the line. Evans\and M. Francis on the right combined in some dangerous movements, while on the left Fletcher and Marvin showed out. A strong defence was provided for North Shore by Gerrard and West; *ho under heavy pressure cleared to advantage. The wing halves, Chambers and James, were sound in tackling, and sent the ball upfleid to their respective wings, while Cronin in the pivot position stemmed many dangerous movements. The North Shore forwards kept their positions well and were a dangerous line. Clever combination by the Blackle brothers on the right frequently saw the play swnng o\cr to Walters and Haydon, who made ground with equally clever play. C. Blackie scored for North Shore, while Hooten netted for Comrades. Mr. R. Webster was referee.

willing struggle ABELS DEFEATS ONEHUNGA A willinpr if not too scientific exhibition of the game was given at the Domain by Abels and Onenunsca, the former winning by six pals to three. Abels had a reconstructed team, which played' a more open type of play than that of Onehnnga, whose front line was inclined to overdo passing in front of goal. Birchall in Abels' goal stopped some hard drives, but Ins clearances were weak Fitzprerald at centre-half dropped back to assist the defence and with deft touches swung tho ball out to his wing-halves, Archer and Jones, who upset the opposing defence with long cross passes. Hamilton worked hard in pettinpr the ball to his supports, of whom Robinson and Ekman were the most effective. Parks in <Onehnnga's citadel was somewhat crowded by his own defence. Some clever play was seen on the left wing, where Buntina: and Forrester combined in movements which were always danzerous. Brass made several promising runs down th? right flank, but the defence smothered most of his centres. Robinson (-2). Fkmsn 03), Archer and Hall scored for Abels. Wallace (2) and R. Lindsay netted for Onehunza. Mr. R. C. Brighton was referee.

OLD BOYS' SUCCESS METRO-COLLEGE DOWNED Mount Albert Grammar Old Boys' victory by 8 goals to 3 azainst Metro-College at Fowlds Park was hardly a true reflex of the merits of the teams, but was more an indication of the greater accuracy of the Old Boys forwards. Play swung from end to end with the misjfield work of both sides on a par, and while Metro-Colleze narrowly'missed with many shots, Old Boys scored from several of its raids.

Old Boys was well served by Saunders ; In goal, while Speed and Sims broke up dangerous movements and returned the ball j well upfield to their forwards, iln the middle I line Woodhall, Ward and Cherry stemmed | many raids, but their recovery from defenco to attack should have been quicker. Sound combination was seen in the forwards, with Jepson keeping his position in the centre and distributing the play nicely. On the right Berriman and ,T. B. Wood wero clever in changing the direction of the attack to the opposite wine, where Need ha m showed out in neat play with Fyvie. Williams had a strenuous time in the Metro-College coal, but made some sound clearances. Pritchard and Mead, with Cleal dropping back to assist, cleared well but were inclined to lose position when bustled. The middle line was not as effective as usual, McMechan having a lot of work to do when Cloal was back defending. hut, he made sonje nice openings for the forwards. BrackenrkiKo at centre-forward was aggressive, but his distribution of the play could have been better. While Flyger and McDougall were hard workers on the left, most dancer threatened from Horner and Dallimore, whose combined movements deserved more success. Needham (3). Wood (3), Evvie and .Tepson scored for Mount Albert Grammar Old Boys, while Horner (2) and Brackenridge netted for Metro-College. Mr. A. F. Haycock was referee. MEDIOCRE DISPLAY SUBURBS' CLOSE DECISION A holding surfaco at Western Sprint? was not conducive to fast play in the Eastern Suburbs-Y.M.C.A. match. A mediocre display was witnessed with Y.M.C.A. unlucky to suffer defeat by the odd goal in three. G'owio had more to do in Eastern Suburbs' goal than Milliard at the other end. although most of the defending was done by the back divisions. In this department Swift and Moore, of Y.M.C.A., placed better than Gay and Diamond, the latter pair being very unorthodox in their tackling. G. Sims in tho pivot position for Y.M.C.A., clevorly swung the play, but A. Welch, Eastern Suburbs' centrehalf, proved a splendid foil, although his clearances were not so well placed. Neither front line was anywhere near senior standard. Shoebridge, on the right wing for Suburbs, made several nico runs down tho lino and, with R. Welch always ready to receive his perfect crosses, the pair needed watching, but there was little support from the rest of the forwards. The Y.M.C.A. attack generally started with strong runs and good centres from Jones on the left to Lamond and McMurif.iy, who made ground, but attempted too much close passing in front of goal. Shaw essayed several long shots which narrowly missed. Hitchen and A. Welch scored for Eastern SuhurDs, while Lamond netter for Y.M.C.A. Mr. J. Calvert was referee. OTHER GRADE RESULTS Second Division.—Thistle, 2, Onehunga, 2; Grey Lynn, 5, Abels, 0; North Shore, 5, Y.M.C.A.. 5; Mount Albert, (1, Chelsea, 2. Tliird Division. —Onehunga, 2, University, 1; Y.M.C.A., 3, Ponsonby, 2. 'Third Intermediate Grade. —Y.M.C.A., 3. Grey Lynn, 3; North Shore, 3, Metro-Col-lege*. 0; Mount (Albert, 4. W.Y.M.T., 1. Fourth Grade,—Comrades, 2, Ponsonby, 0. Fifth Grade. —Thistle, 5, Grey Lynn B, 1; Grev Lynn iA, 1. Comrades, 0; W.Y.M.L, 1, Y.M.C.A. Rovers, 1; Y.M.C.A. lUvals, .2, Onehunga, 0. _ „ Sixth Grade.—Y.M.C.A. Rovers, 3, Thistle, ° Seventh Grade. —Onehunga, 0, Y.M.C.A., Secondary Schools Matches. —Senior grade: Monnt Albert Grammar A, 3, Takapuna, 3; Technical, 3, Mount Albert B 1. Intermediate Grade.—Mount Albert Grammar A, 5. Mount Albert Grammar B, 0; Auckland Grammar, <l, Technical, 3: Takapuna Grammar, 3. Otahuhu Technical, 1. Junior Grade—Mount Albert Grammar A, 2 Kowhai, 1; Auckland Grammar, 0, Mount Albert Grammar B, 0 : Technical A, 2, Mount Albert Grammar C, 0. MATCHES IN PROVINCE [FROM HERALD CORRESPONDENTS] Hamilton. —Tho South Auckland Football Association's competitions were continued when Claudelands Hovers defeated Glen Massey by four goals to one. Huntty.—Huntly Starr United, 3. Hamilton Wanderers, 3. Rotorua. —In a representative Soccer match played at >Rotorua the home team defeated Pukcmiro by six goals to nil. RESULTS IN THE SOUTH [by TELEGRAPH —PROSS association] Wellington.—The second round of local Chatham Cup matches resulted: Seatoun. S, Hospital, 3: Waterside. 5 Scottish Wanderers. 1; Petone. 2. Marist, 1; Diamond, 6, Technical Old Boys, 3. Christchurch,—-Nomads, P, Western, 2; Y.M.C.A., 5, Technical, 2; Thistle, 3, Rangers, 2. Dunedln. —Maori Hill. 7. Technical Old Boys. 0; Seaclille, 3, High School Old Boys, Oj Mosgiel, S, Rci'lyn-Wakari, 0; Northern. 3, Momington. 3.