CHATHAM SOCCER CUP

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12248, 21 September 1925, Page 10

CHATHAM SOCCER CUP

TROPHY WON BY Y.M.C.A. TWO HOURS’ DING-DONG BATTLE PENALTY MISSED BY EACH SIDE Y.M.C.A. players wore in mourning when they took the field on Saturday at Newtown Park against Seacliff in the final meeting of the Chatham Cup, wearing crepe arm hands. The death had taken place earlier in the day of the Hon. C. H. Izard, for many yeara patron of the New Zealand Football Association, and one of the pillars of Britain’s national game in the Dominion. Both 'idea were at full strength except that Pearson replaced Atkinson at centre-half for Y.M., and Simmons, under suspension, was an absentee from Seacliff. A high wind spoiled scientific play, but both sides-were very fit, and made the game hard all the way. Half-time score was I—l,1 —1, the end of 00 minutes play *aw the score 2—2, necessitating an extra half-hour’s play. Hero the stamina of Y.M. told the tale. They had the. best of the play in extra time, Halley crashing home the winning goal, while Campbell failed to convert a penalty. Mr M. F, Luckie, acting-Mayor, presented the cup and medals to the winners amidst hearty applause. Seaeliffe had rested up at Hospital with their friends on Friday in preparation for the final, and when they arrived in the city on Saturday there was no mistnbing the fact that they were very confident of their ability to capture tbe trouhv again. Y.M.C.A. were equally confident, and that confidence was given added strength for the reason that they were keen as mustard to see the cup handed over to their skipper to mark the close 1 of a* fine football career us a playe*. Although the League Rugby test match was taking place on, the next ground the Soccer game had a good half of the six thousand or m spectators, and they witnessed a thrilling, gruelling game. ever, though it lacked over much science. A raging northerW nut all thoughts of short passing out of the nuestion, and in fact it was a real, bustling cup final, especially in tbe closing stages when either side was straining every nerve to notch the winning goal. An epic struggle it was, the fortune of thp game going first one way and then the other. Y.M. forwards would press the attack on the visitors, and they would be rolled back to fall on the defensive themselves, especially when the Seacliff dangerous left wing got. to work. The wind caused play to run on the southern side of the ground, but every

man on tbe field, from the goalie downwards, had any amount of work to do, and only men in the pink of condition could have maintained the pace that was set from the start. The teams were: Y.M.C.A.—Bentley; Prince and McGirr; McArthur, Pearson and Trofct* Nicolle, Dempster, Ballard, Campbell, and Halley. Seacliff.—Gwilliam; Anderson and Rogers; Waugh, Cooper and Murray; Milne, McDougal, Hooper, Hanlin and Bailey. Referee: Mr Thornley (Christchurch). OPENING FEATURE Seacliff won the toss and had some advantage, as the wind was diagonally in their favour; nevertheless, when Ballard set the- ball moving the home team attacked at once. Anderson, one of the soundest backs in the Dominion, threw the advance back. Hanlin and Bailey tricked McArthur and put the ball in front of goal, but McUirr cleared tbe lines, Pearson sent out to the left wing, and Halley sent in a great centre over Anderson’s head. The wind steadied the ball, so that it dropped in front of goal. Andersbn intervened when one j shot wqent in, but in the serum Dempster managed to drive the ball through the crowd, and a roar of applause went up when Gwilliam turned to retrieve tlie ball from the back of the net. Hooper set thlngs,gong again, and Sencuff made many attempts to open up on their left wing against the wind, and it was soon realised that here the danger lay. Y.M. did not altogether profit by this, and upon occasions the backs were' drawn away cleverly to enable Hooper to clash through the centre when the ball came in. Pearson many times ran back and worried Hooper, or things • might have gone badly, yet Prince and McGirr were both playing and kicking splendidly, McGirr getting in some splendid lieachvork. Trotfc is a great left half, but when it comes to shooting he wants a Rugby goal to shoot at. But his defence ami tackling were great, and Pearson did well ns Atkinson’s sub. McArthur, however, found tho visiting left wing too speedy and clever, and did not meet with great success, but Prince was Found in his anticipation nnd so- spoiled many a likely effort. Bentley rose to the occasion when Hooper, in a terrific dash, slammed the ball in hard, and threw round the post. The corner., as played, hung in the Y.M. circle for a time. Bnilev pave Bentley a stunning shot which brought the Inttcr to his knees to save amidst applause. Sencliffe then underwent a bombardment, nnd for a spell were defending vigorously. Nicolle nnd Dempster on one wing and Holley and Campbell on the other were opening the game out. but the defenders were keeping a close eye on Ballard, and if I bp ball come i.n smothered the goal. Twice Gwilliam saved from Dempster and Ballard, u»d TYott skied a shot up the bank. Waugh sent Milne and MoDntignl , ttwny, but Bentley ran out and kicked j L-lear from Hooper Drineo was out on j wing when the ball went right across.

McGirr went out to tackle, but before either back could get near the goal again Waugh centred and Hooper seized the opening to go through and heat Bentley with a cannon ball drive. Prior to the interval Dempster made desperate efforts to work through, but the change over came with the score I—l.1 —1. THE SECOND SPELL In the second spell Nicolle had more openings, and made good use of them, and from a lovely centre Ballard looked certain to score, but Roger* just managed to reach him. and divert the shot. In a sharp attack on Y.M. goal McGirr was penalised for handling, although it looked as if Milne’s centre hit him on tbe upper arm or shoulder. McDougal took tbe penalty kick and sent a piledriver straight at Bentley, who made a brilliant save, throwing away as the forwards rushed him. Hands against a Seacliff half saw a magnificent free kick hv Ballard try Gwilliam right out, but he saved amidst cheers. Dempster beat Rogers only to shoot wide, and then Ballard sent in a cracker on to the crossbar. A fine forward dash by Seacliff was f finished with a poor shot, but next minute McDougal hit the crossbar, and in a rush on goal Bentley picked the ball from the scrum and threw out, but the referee ruled that the ball had been over the line and awarded a goal This was a setback for Y.M.. but they were not in arrears for long, for Ballard forced a corner when Holley drooped the ball close in. A melee followed from the corner kick, anti after the boll hovered right on the goal-line for several seconds Dempster levelled up the score again. Gwilliam made a lucky sore from Campbell, nnd although the pace wa* increased on both sides and each goalie nnd much to do no morn scoring was done when the whistle went. EXTRA TIME PLAYED An extra half-hour's play was entered upon, and the Y.M.C.A. pressed Seacliff hard. Gwilliam had made a counle of splendid saves when Halley, who had gone to centre-forward position, Ballard going to the wing, slammed home a .shot which gave the Seacliff custodian no chance. Y.M.C.A., 8; Sencliffe, 2. Anderson had a pcnnltv given against him for tripping Campbell m the area. Tho skipper took the kick himself, anti he scut in a “rod hot” one. hut -trnight at. the goalie, who emulated Bentley by bringing off a great save. In the sprnnd 15 minutes Gwilßnm carried the ball right inside goal when s.iving from a melee, but the referee was too far out. Campbell also missed an easy chance, nnd Ballard, standing close !n, touched the ball lightly, thinking it would roll over the line, but Gwilliam by a desperate jump just saved it. However, the extra goal was sufficient, nnd the whistle went W’th the score in favour of Y.M.C.A. by thp odd aroa! ii; five. (‘oars 0 f npptnuFc and congratulations Ricet?d Campbell and bin men as he went Ho to receive the cup at the hands ol Mr M. F. Luckie. Mr Luckie expressed sympathy at the

los6 Soccer had sustained in the death of Mr Izard, complimented the victors upon their splendid victory, and the losers upon the great fight they had made for the cup He then preseated tbe cup and medals. Campbell, amidst hearty cheers, acknowledged the hard fight Seacliff Pad made, and expressed his pleasure that Y.M.C.A had at last been able to win the trophy. Y.M.C.A. deserved their win on the extra time, for in the first 90 minutes the teams were weH matched, and the result was a fair one It was one of the hardest fought games seen in Wellington this season, and more games of the kind should draw an increasing number <*/ supporters. ■