“SOCCER" FOOTBALL

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10956, 19 July 1921, Page 8

“SOCCER" FOOTBALL

THISTLE DEFEATS INSTITUTE. TWO-POINT VICTORY. At the Basin Reserve on Saturday two of the leading teams in the senior "Soccer" competition met on a slippery turf. Institute; who held, the lead in the championship with 18 points, to gether with Hospital, suftere d defeat against Thistle, who were in third place with 16 points. A keenly fought game was anticipated, hut the spectacular play expected was not realised, the ground being in a very sloppy condition. During the firstt half Thistle had the best of the play, securing three goals,- while thenopponents failed to open their score. George Campbell was a tower of strength to the winning team, securing two of the three points; Brownlee secured the other. In the second stage of the game play was more interesting, Institute making valiant efforts to reduce the lead. About half-way through the spell a determined attack was made. Geoffreys, taking the ball at toe. dribbled up to the penalty area, a net hazarded a long shot at the. goal. Haadow, the Thistle goalkeeper, lunged forward to receive the ball and partly succeeded in stopping it, but it rolled over the line under the right poet. Thistle 3, Institute I, Institute players made another effort to folIow t up this successful rally, and were vociferously encouraged by the backers on the stand. Several shots were made but Haddow stalled off every attempt to invade the goal. Thistle then got away, and Institute were immediately placed on the defensive. A shot was attempted > at a two yards range, but Tarrant Mopped the ball with his hands and. clearedThe attack was resumed, and the goalkeeper again .cleverly averted a score, saving with his hands. In the closing stages several incursions into the goal areas were made by either side, and Campbell almost notched a fourth goal for Thistle. The game ended without further goals, the final tally being : Thistle 3 Institute J Hr C. If. Ward was the referee.