ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 10064, 31 August 1918, Page 5

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

MARIST DEFEAT POKIRiUA.

Yesterday afternoon Anderson Park was the «ceno of ono of tlie best boys' "soccer" games played in Wellington ior tho past two years. Tho two teams competing were Porirua and Marist (T) A in. the semi-final of the schools' championship. Marist Bros, winning the toss elected to plav with tho sun and a slight breeze behind them. From the kick-off the ball travelled down the field into tho Marist half, but was soon cleaved by A. Tailored, the Marist right-back. Then ensued some verv L'ood combination amongst tho Marist forwards, the Porirua goal-keeper being called upon to stop three successive shots, which ho did in grand style clearing tho ball away h-oni goal every time. The play was then taken, into mid-field, where a pretty piece of work bv Eastwood (Porirua) set tho Porirua forwards to work, only-to bo stooped bv tho Marist full-backs. At thin iuncturo Cudbv (Marist) made a fine run up the right-wing, centreing tho ball to Brown (Marist). whot shot hard at tho goal, and! in the effort to clear tho ball tho Porirua left-back iniskicked, and tho ball glided off his boot into goal, tho goal-keeper not having a possible hope of stopping it. From now on to half-time tho caine became exceedingly fast and oneiu characterised by splendid plav on both sides, the ball travelling up and down tho field in rjuick succession. When half-time sounded the score stood I—o in, favour of Marist Bros.

On resuming plav Porirua began to press, but the hard kicking of A. Tailored, Marists right-back, proved too good for the Porijua forwards, and the ball travelled out "*to Cudbv, who took it down the wing and centered to J.. Tailored, but Tancrod's shot at; goal went wide. Fi-om the kick-out the Porirua forwards took tho, ball down, tho field, where an opportunity of scoring was missed by faulty shooting. Tho combination, combined with Th* weight ot the Marist forwards, began to toll on the smaller aad lighter Porirua players. Lewis (Marist), who had been playing a good game on the left-wing, putting in several hard shots at goal, but tho Porirua goal-keener was a match for them nil. His saving nnl clearing of the ball from tho danger zone was worthy Of anv senior goal-keener. From a scramblo in front of goal J. Tancred shot hard and again the Porirua goalkeeper saved, but on trying to clear tho boll ho slipped, tho ball rolling out to Brown (Marist). who had no trouble in scoring. Again, from tho kiek-oiT the Marist team mado every effort to score, but tho defence of tho Porirua "backs proved 100 solid. Shortly after, with the play in midfield, tho whistle sounded time, giving Marist a well-earned victory by two goals to niil.

Mr 11 L. Salmon controlled tho game. Marist (T) A team have now to plav Marist <N) A for the final of tho schools' championship. A great game is expected.