SOCCER CHALLENGE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23400, 17 July 1939, Page 15

SOCCER CHALLENGE

english_trophy SI'AKKLIJsG DISPLAY VICTORY FOR AUCKLAND WELLINGTON TEAM OUTPLAYED LOCAL FORWARDS BRILLIANT The finest display of Soccer witnessed in Auckland since tin of the English amateur side was provided by the Kurdish Trophv challenge match between Auckland and Wellinuton at Bland ford Park on Saturday, when the local side, bolder of the trophy, was. run to a U —- decision by the visitors. Especially 'in the first half the cnehances were of a brilliant order, the Auckland forwards thrilling over 4000 spectators with oveli"nt combination and neat head and foot work. The playing surface,' in spite of the soaking it has received in recent weeks, was in fine order, giving the players a (inn foothold arid permitting them to exploit, subtle variations of speed and intricate footwork. Although the visiting side repeatedly threatened danger, particularly in the closing stages, when a typical Wellington finish was staged, Auckland, from an all-round point of view was much superior and would have been unlucky to have lost possession of the trophy. The early singes <nw Auckland attacking almost continually. Wellington's aggression being confined to spasmodic lightning thrusts tip the centre of the field, in which the dashing centreforward, Leslie, figured prominently. Peculiarly enough, however, it was Wellington that scored first, after a series of Auckland raids which did everything but put the hall in the net. Auckland Forwards Respond The Auckland forwards, who were revealing scintillating play, responded to this challenge and when the teams changed over the local representatives led by two goals to one. Another goal to Auckland immediately after the resumption took some' of the "fire", out of the exchanges, but play brightened again during the last '2ft minutes, when Wellington' hemmed the local defence in for the first period during the game and wiped off one of its deficit. In spite of strenuous eflorts. the visitors could noi dr-.tw level. Several weaknesses were apparent, but the Auckland side as a whole gave a convincing showing, the forwards impressing with their Skilful methods, thrust and clever ball' control, while the backs were steady and tackled solidly. The defence was occasionally caught out of position by Wellington's sudden counter moves, but they generally covered effectively. Although not called on to do a great deal. Warren was cool and efficient in A tick- " land's goal, anticipating several dangerous shots nicely and showing no hesitation in moving out among the opposing forwards to pull in a lofty centre. Great work was performed by Speed in the first half, quick Interceptions thwarting a number of dangerous onslaughts, but 'West did not play up to expectations. His kicking was not as well judged as usual. Cleal Again' Prominent ' ' ' deal, the-Auckland captain, was again the strength of the half line, his'qnidk recoveries on defence and determined efforts on attack proving valuable. His supports, Jones i and Sale, were more prominent -on defence than attack., although the former occasionally ioiind his wing or inside man with neat transferences/ Sale's passing was erratic, the North Shore player showing a tendency, to kick hurriedly and aimlessly, many times ■when he had plenty of time in which to maVe the .most of his clearance. Most, brilliant in the Auckland forward line were Fyfie and McCallum, both of whom frequently put their supports at an advantage with snap passes and quick changes of direction. ' Fyfie, who was--the-most dangerous man in the line, baffled the Wellington defence with his tricky running and neat ball control, the veteran Haines being the only defender who could cope with him. Stevenson, althongh not as prominent individually as usual, did hi*, part by waiting up among the " backs and. by his aggressiveness and straight running bustling the defenders into errors.. Robinson and Needham ran strongly on ; the flanks'and timed their crosses well. The midSeld play of the line was worth mqre' than* the three .goals scored, but the finishing, was no! above reproach, several I firfe- being missed through overeagerness..' • • . 1 1 " Veteran Players* Shine I A feature of the,.. Wellington team's showing; was* the outstanding displays of the veterans, .Ifaines and, Leslie. Although matched against,a forward line .which kept the; ball crossing the, Wellington . goal and coming in from all angles,- Haines faced the ■ attackers adamantly, conceding nothing in tackling, anticipation or positional play. Working in the centre of; a line of. inexperienced players, Leslie gave a brilliant display and made many openings for his mipports, only to see them frittered away. Hf has lost little of his pace or straightrunning qualities and, favoured, by. sounder, luiiport,, would have caused - the opposition many' uneasy' moments. Leslie has been seen In .'many brilliant f moods in Auckland, but riev<*r has/he shown greater skill'.in shepherding a mediocre forward line tlirongh a trying ordeal. He abandoned his usual tactics of , "sitting in" between the fullbai-kS' and crowding' them; concentrating • more _ on an auxiliary . halfback. game and, pushing the ball to'the wings or through the centre. ■'■p, J Visiting Halves ■ halves,. Gates, Boyes and MacGregor, were yell tested'and performed fairly" convincingly. The. wing* halves had considerable trouble watcliing the clever Auckland', inside players, and for/ this reascflT were not as nsefiil oh attack as they shonld have- been. In : the closing stages. • However, was temporarily subdued, t hoy were able to reveal brighter initiative. Boyes taqkleri solidly ; at ■ centTe and his headwork was neatly executed. With, the exception of Leslie and Qnirke, the latter making/some clever runs under the veteran's direction, the. Wellington front line .was not''impressive. The wingmen found difficulty in eluding the opposing backs, and when they were put in possession failed to make the most, of their opportunities. The*goal-scorers for Auckland were Stevenfn (2) and'Rohin«on, while Leslie and Edmunds scored lor the visitors. , Mr. C. G. Edwards was referee. • COLLEGE ATTRACTION WIN FOR AUCKLAND CRAMMAR Teams representing Auckland Grammar and Takapuna G'rammar played a curtain-raiser •o the English Trophy fixture at Blandford "ark. In a bright game. Auckland Grammar Prevailed by t goals to 1. .The schoolboys were responsible for highl.v--'lcllled play, /and they adopted open methods which pleased the spectators. Neesham (3) 'pd • Diamond scored for the winners, and ftfttleton for, Takapuna. OTHER GRADE RESULTS Sixth Grade.—Comrades, '2, Thistle, 0; Onehunga, W.V.M.1., 0. Seventh Grade.—Comrades, 1, Onehunga, SECONDARY SCHOOL GAMES Senior Grade.—Auckland Grammar, 4. , la *apuna Grammar. 1. Intermediate Grade.—Mount Albert GramKowiiai. 0; Technical A, lit. ucklan,!. 0; Technical B, Mount Albert iit, \ °l#hiihu. 2, Takapuna A, 2; Mount Albert C, ,-{, Takapuna R, ft. Junior Grade.— lerhnical, 'i, Auckland, 0; Mount Albert R, 1, Kowhai, 1. • ; r 7ROTORUA defeated AUCKLAND RETAINS SHIELD t»u!lS ® Soccer representatives re'lffeatin .i. a " ,v^"r '°n-Johnstone Shield by mnnt <f je" Rotorua side at the Governor * r ? u ! lds ',Rotorua. on Saturday, by the * cltupi,. " " vp after a game which was Waii ii.ij o ". ' 1 throughout. The weather ftofornV V «" lfi ground in good order. I ? deserved its one-goal lead at hajl til' - 1,1 the second spell Auckland . "Caineri ( ~a s,,- s |au ce of a slight breeze and •I.tftva ascendancy. V f, ry Auckland's goal •»nd trilf. 1 Wf ',' under pressure. "Both Gay T »nUir* fullbacks, cleared to adj',''f 'he halfback line broke up ™ ""Serous movements. Steel and Wal-

lace, on the wines, contacted well with the forwards, while Williams in the centre showed out with wing-to-wing distribution of the play. Brass and Krause, on the right, made ground with clever combination, and Bell and Neute also proved an elusive pair. Phillips, in Ihe centre, intelligently distributed the ball along the line and was always dangerous. O'Lougiilin gave an excellent display in goal for Rotorun, clearing well under pressure and handling with confidence. Smythe impressed more than Hill at fullback with sound clearances and clever breaking up. The main strength of the side lay in. the wing halves. Kagan on the right - and Cullman on the left. The. former, with (|iiick recoveries, turned defence into attack and with fast intercepting blocked many dangerous •Auckland moves. Coltman was more rugged and broke up many movements before they hail time to develop, placing nicely to his •front line. Lancaster and' Rice worked hard in the> inside berths and made many openings. but the centre was weak and most of the danger came from the left, where Churchill employed direct methods when • he found his centres being wasted. On the general run of the play Ifotorua was unlucky not lo force a draw. Phillips; fJ) and Neute scored for Auckland,/ while Kgaii and Churchill netted for Rotorua. Mr. L. Mead, of Putaruru, was referee. GAME AT HAMILTON .[FROM OUR OWN COItKKBPONDKN'f] HAMILTON, Sunday Wanderers secured their second successive win against Huntly Starr by J goals to 1 at Seddon Park yesterday afternoon, when the South Auckland Football Association's senior competition was continued.. The game was marked by ragged play. Although Huntly had a territorial advantage in the first spoil. H was unable to score, and the spell ended with no goals to either side. Stewart, Fisher. Caldwell and Bullock were the scorers for \\aiiderers. while Barker secured Huntly s goal. GAMES IN OTHER CENTRES [BY TKI.KGRAril —PRESS ASSOCIATION] Wellington.—Manawatu, 3, Wellington Inter-hoilse Association representatives, 2. First A division: Hospital, '2. Waterside. 0: Marist, 3, Diamond, 3. Christchurch.—'Thistle. 1. Western. 1; Nomads, 3, Rangers. 0; Technical. 1. St Albans, 1. Dunedin. —Mosgiel, 0, High School Old Boys. 0; Northern. '2, Roslyn-Waknri. 1; Mornington, 4. Maori Hill. I; Caversham. 3, Technical. 3. WEST COAST BEATS BULLER [BY TELEGRAPH PRESS ASSOCIATION} GREYMOUTH, Sunday In a Soccer match yesterday Wesrt Coast defeated Buller by 4 goals to 2. The contest was for possession of the Peter Dawson Cup. ! TEST IN AUSTRALIA j PALESTINE TEAM DEFEATED , ... { . J (Received July I<>. 5.5 p.m.) ( .- BRISBANE.-July 15 Australia defeated the touring Palestine team by 2 goals to 1 in the second Soccer test played to-day. The-Palestine forwards frittered away-an -almost endless sequence of chances prior to half-time, at which stage there was no score. • The Palestine players were artistic, polished and smooth in midfield. Although Australia's raids were spasmodic, its methods carried more sling. The outstanding 'plajer for the visitors was Sidi, the goalkeeper. Australia won the first test last Saturday by 7 goals to .V 1