Soccer Sidelights

NZ Truth, Issue 1031, 29 August 1925, Page 14

Soccer Sidelights

Chatham Cup Semi-Final

WELLINGTON LUCKY TO WIN

Wellington V.M.C.A. have a lot to be thankful to Providence for that they are m the final of the Chatham Cup this season. At least that is so far as the semifinal tie is concerned which was played at Auckland on Saturday last.

There were changes m both teams and no doubt the illness which overtook Aikinson m the forenoon of the match threw the visitors into a somewhat difficult position.

Ponsonby fielded the weakest side that has turned out for them m the competition so far, and it was not surprising when m the first twenty minutes of; the game the visitors were the masters of the situation. Though Ponsonby opened the scoring it was soon apparent that the southerners meant, business, and the way the team played gave the impression that they .'held the game m the hollow of their hand.

The second half, however, saw an unexpected change come over the situation.

For the second forty-five Ponsonby had the lion r s share of the game. They could do anything but score, and, whereas they certainly played second fiddle m the opening spell, there was comparatively more difference between the teams m the secondhand that was not m. the favor of -the visitors.

There was no doubt that the injury to Eton had an upsetting effect on the forward play of Wellington, but it was not here that the greatest difference between the teams lay. The home foi'wards more than outplayed the visiting defence, but, the finishing was weak. The!**players could 'hardly be blamed solely for this for there was a nasty patch of soft ground m the Wellington penalty area which was the cause of several likely moves coming to a sudden end.

Prom the kick off the home side rushed matters down to the Y.M. goal, and within five minutes had opened the scoring. The visitors, however, at once asserted themselves and ere the game was seven minutes old were on level terms with their opponents. From this on the Wellingtonians played a nice open progressive game, the defence of Ponsonby being several times m dire straits. Campbell and Ballard did a good deal of attacking work, but the ball was kept too much to this ■wing 'when the other flank was unmarked. The visiting halves all through the game gave their forwards every support though there "was a marked difference on the performance of McArthur from the last- time he ■was at Auckland with the reps. Adshead, who was opposed to him on that occasion, was against him. on Saturday last, and repeatedly beat him, but McArthur was often seen m action m other parts of the field, and was far from being a failure. Trott, who took the pivotal . position, was a trier all the way, feeding 1 accurately when he had the opportunity, but he too was often beaten for the 'ball. Cohen, who was called .on atJ-the eleventh hour, played a very useful sort of game, but faded out ere the final whistle sounded.

The backs, Prince and McGirr, did not impress when under pressure. Their kicking; when given plenty' of room, /was pretty, but when they were rushed by attackers, there was a different tale to tell. Their tackling, nevertheless, was good.

In the forwards the first-half display was of- a high -order, but as might have been expected the laming of Eton upset- combination m the second. Campbell was as much a half-back as a forward, but there was always danger lurking "when the southern vanguard, set off. Dempster was the best of the five> He was full of running and played a game which was m marked contrast to the display of Campbell. The latter of course was the studied, finished player, while Dempster typified the bustling go-ahead forward with a useful turn of speed and a strong accurate shot. Worth was not up to the standard of his mates, but Eton,, while he was fit, took a lot of ■watching. Ballard had several fine individual runs, and never made the mistake of hanging on too long to the ball. The side as a whole had a lot to commend it, though there 'was a, decided falling off m the second half.

The weakness m the Ponsonby side was m the defence. Craxton gave a steady, confident display, and could not be- blamed for either of the. goals •which, got past him. Their was a lack of understanding and confidence m the rear division which was not peculiar to the team m the preliminary rounds. Williams at left back was perhaps the best back on the field, and he repeatedly came to the rescue of his side. Morrison, who deputised for Pickett, was v hot reliable, but he is a young player who may yet earn his spurs.

In the half-back line there was a deal of mulling of clearances, principally on. the part of Mitchell and O'Brien. At times their play was of a high standard, but they * were not consistent and took many unwarranted risks, especially m passing balls back. Neesham. was the most reliable but -the ground was not to his liking, though he kept close to his opposing player all the game.

In the Ponsonby attack Innes at centre-forward was always conspicuous,, but some of his- efforts did not get the fate they deserved, ' while at other times the centre was over anxious, Kennedy at inside-right was full of running all the game and ftecl his winger when there was a chance, while Cheeseman, who was promoted from the lower grade, gave a good account of himself. The extreme wingers, Adshead (left) and Ahem (right), had a number of clever solo efforts and their crossing was always accurate though several times not put to the account' it should have been. In the second spell, when the homesters were on the aggressive and pounding away at the visiting goal, Bentley rose to the occasion and repeatedly saved m convincing style/ He was clever m his anticipation ' and • very alert m getting to high shots or ground drives. , v The match, from start to finish was contested every inch of the ground and : as things went m the closing portion of the- encounter there was certainly much room for sympathy, with the losers. But this is all m the game and there was no denying the handicap under which the Wellington men were .■playing. \

On the run of the play, however, a draw was the least Ponsonby deserved. , .