SOCCER GAME

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24046, 18 August 1941, Page 5

SOCCER GAME

COMRADES TAKE LEAD DEFEAT OF THISTLE TEAM FINAL IN SECOND DIVISION In spite of greasy conditions, play in the Auckland Football Association's championship was of a high standard, and in all matches fast and spectacular football wag witnessed. At Blandford Park, Comrades, the champion team last season, went to the top of the championship table by defeating Air Force in a sound exhibition. Comrades has a game in hand and should prove hard to displace. Metro-College and Eastern Suburbs at St. Heliers Bay provided a close and interesting contest to divide the points, while at the Domain, after being down a goal at half-time, Ponsonby beat Abels by the odd goal in 11. The youthful North Shore side took the full points from Thistle at Devonport in a thrilling game, and at Onehunga, Mount Albert Grammar Old Boys had a convincing margin over the local side. The curtain-raiser at headquarters was provided by Metro-College and North Shore in the second division championship final. Metro-College won by the odd goal in five. Following were the scores:—Comrades, 4, Air Force, 2; Metro-College, 2, Eastern Suburbs, 2; North Shore, 4, Thistle, 2; Ponsonby, 6, Abels, 5; 'Mount Albert Grammar Old Boys, 8, Onehunga, 2. Second division final: Metro-College, 8, North Shore, 2. Comrades v. Air Forces—Even play marked the first half of the main game at Blandford Park, Fincham and Riggans initiating Comrades attacks which were carried on by Curley, Masters and Walters. Constructive defensive play by Moore, Everson and Lattimer enabled Air Force to counter-attack, and Caisley, Bell and Ellis were always dangerous when in possession, only good goalkeeping by McCaruish enabling Comrades to lead at the interval by the only goal scorod. In the second spell McKerina used long kicking to connect "with the Comrades front line, which had sound assistance from its constructive halfback line, Healey, Fincham and Matthews, to harass the Air Force defence. Johnstone, in the Air Force goal, showed out with clever anticipation, and Moore and Everson repelled attacks well. Nice play by Waters, Ellis, Bell, Caisley and Baker carried the Air Force attacks into Comrades territory, but the movement lacked finish. Walters, Masters, AFrancis and Curley scored for Comrades, while Bell and Caisley netted for Air Force. Mr. A Firth was referee. Metro-College v. Eastern Suburbs. —The local side had the advantage of the strong wind in the first half. Long clearances bv Cowie gave Suburbs the advantage, and with Gilbert, Collings, McKellar and Welch working hard the Metro defence was well tested. Gordon, in the Metro-College goal, effected some clever and daring saves, while sound work by the middle line enabled Metro-College to counter-attack, with Hanam and Hope-Ede showing out. The half-time score of 2—o in favour of the local side was a good criterion of the plav. In the second half Speed, the Metro fullback, sent the ball through with the wind for his forwards to swarm round the Suburbs citadel. Welch rallied his forwards, and play swung hack and forth with little territorial advantage in the closing stages. Hope-Ede and Hanam scored for Metro-Col-lege Welch and Collings netted for Eastern Suburbs. Mr. R. C. Brighton was Teferee. North Shore v. Thistle. —North Shore was first to settle down, but Cocker, in the Thistle goal, was sound, and with strong support by Constable the eager North Shore forwards were driven back. Dunsmore made several openings for Wallace in the centre, but the latter was well covered by Booth and had little scope to be dangerous. The, half-time score of I—l1 —1 was a good criterion of the play. In the second spell North Shore had the advantage of the breeze, and with Chambers lofting the ball from clearances from Thistle raids, the halfbacks, Moyle and Kendall, swung play out to the wings, where Agate, on the right, was always dangerous. Nettleton and Price worked hard. Haycock s long clearances from the goal were of great assistance to the North Shore attacks. Richards (2), Price and Nettleton scored for North Shore, while Wood netted twice for Thistle. Mr. J. C. Sibbin was referee. Ponsonby v. Abels. —Playing a man short throughout, Ponsonby was inferior to Abels in the early stages in spite of strong defence bv Haggett and Bell. Prominent for Abels in their early attacks were Clayworth, Hall and Robinson. In spite of the handicap, Ponsonbv settled down and at- one stage had the lead. In the second spell the Ponsonby middle line functioned Wetter, and, although there were only four forwards, Brackenridge and Chapman worked hard and, with sound assistance from Dowder and Callaghan, provided a formidable attack which netted twice to Abels' once. Brackenridge (2), Callaghan (2), Chapman and Bel! scored for Ponsonby, while Clavworth (3), Hall and Robinson netted for Abels. Mr. F. Green was refere'e. Second Division Final.—Played as the curtain-raiser at Blandford Park, the second division championship final between MetroCollege and North Shore produced good football, and a close and interesting contest was witnessed. Metro-College, with better finish, deserved its win. Marvin, Wallace and Waters scored for Metro-College, while Corbett ana Stone netted for North Shore. Mr. A. Kyle was referee. GAMES IN LOWER GRADES Second Grade.—Air Force, 7, Comrades, 6; Mount Albert Grammar Old Boys, 2, Ponsonby, 2. Fourth Grade. —Grey Lynn, 2, Y.M.C.A. Rovers, 1; Y.M.C.A. Rivals, 2, North Shore, 1. Friendly game: Mount Albert Grammar Old Boys, 4, Y.M.C.A. fifth grade Rovers, 0. Fifth Grade. —Comrades A, 3. North Shore, 2; Eastern Suburbs, 1, Thistle. 1; Comrades B, Y.M.C.A. Rivals, 1. Sixth Grade. —Comrades A, 6, Metro, 1. Eighth Grade.—Comrades A, 2, Y.M.C.A. Rovers, 1.