THE ASSOCIATION GAME

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 37, 6 May 1927, Page 6

THE ASSOCIATION GAME

PROSPECTS FOR TO-MORROW

AN ATTRACTIVE PROGRAMME

The first two rounds for the senior Soccer championship provided some stirring contests and it appears that the struggle for the top of the table is going to be a very open one this year. No team showed up so prominently at the start of the season as Tramways did last year, when the Corporation Club carried all before it and was undefeated in the local competitions. Thistle was very impressive on the first day, but was lucky in securing two points from Ponsonby last Saturday. Shore is also undefeated, but has yet to be tested severely. To-morrow the attractions at Blandford Park are the curtain-raiser between Trams and Ponsonby, to be followed by the Thistle v. Navy match. At Devonport the Shore Club meets Onehunga, while Y.M.C.A. will try conclusions with Northcote on the Domain.

SELECTING THE TEAMS The Auckland Football Association had no hesitation in reappointing Air. Phil Neesham to the responsible position of sole selector for the provincial teams. His election last year was a new departure from the three selectors principle. The decisive manner in which the Auckland eleven cleaned up the opposing provinces, for the English

Trophy, was an eloquent tribute to Air. Neesham’s good judgment, and gained him the confidence and goodwill of both the players and the public. Alost of last season’s players are still in action and the selector should find no difficulty in replacing Lucas, Kissock and Dacre. The matter of selecting the New Zealand teams for the test matches with the Canadians was raised at the New Zealand Football Association meeting in Wellington, but no decision was come to. The prospects of Air. Neesham being a New Zealand selector were very favourably viewed. Last year Mr. B. L. Salmon held the sinecure of sole selector for New Zealand. He was not called on to pick a single team, so that his judgment did not come up for criticism, but in view of last year’s provincial results, Auckland must have a big say in the representation of the Dominion this season. The big feature of the New Zealand season will be the tour of the Canadian team who are due in Auckland by the Niagara on Monday fortnight, and all arrangements are complete to meet them on arrival. Auckland will only have a brief glimpse of them then, as they leave for the South the same night and will not be back until the end of the tour in August. The annual meeting of the New Zealand Football Association adopted the Auckland proposal for a change in the Chatham Cup rules which will now guarantee the finance of the clubs compelled to travel for the semi-finals and final. TO-MORROW’S MATCHES

Tramways v. Ponsonby.—The opening game should provide an even con-

tst, each team having: a win and a W to its credit and debit. Ponsonby was unlucky to lose against Thistle last week and might easily have won or divided the points, while Trams were fortunate to win from the Navy by bagging three goals when two of their opponents were out of action, still the Trammies were a long way below their full strength and they may show up better to-morrow. The centre forward play may prove a deciding factor in the game. Spencer was at his best last week but had an off-day in the first game. Bell was the reverse and showed up well in the opening match but could not connect last week.

Thistle v. Royal Navy.—Thistle showed remarkably fine form in the first game of the season under had weather conditions, but failed to reproduce it against the Ponies last Saturday. The absence of Murray Kay and the changes necessary in the front line upset the attack altogether, while the half-line was not so strong as against the Trams. The Navy with the Diomede men in action is a dangerous team, and it was sheer misfortune that it sustained a couple of casualties at a critical stage of the game with Trams, who were well held until the last 15 minutes. It would be no surprise if the Naval brigade was to score Its first victory on returning to senior rank aLt the expense of the Scots to-morrow.

North Shore v. Onehunga. —Shore will again have the advantage of meeting the opposing team on its horns ground, and the Levonport men are very confident of victory. With Lipscombe, Gerrard, Baxter and Jones, ably assisted by Colebourne and’Mowat, the Shore defence is exceptionally strong, while it has a lively line forward which is showing a scoring capacity in marked contrast to last season’s form. Onehunga has a solid defence with McPhee, Who well and Brittain in the back line, but the halves may find the Shore forwards a warm quintette to check, and the home team should win comfortably.

Y.M.C.A. v. Northcote.—The Y.M. showed a great improvement in their play at Onehunga last week, while Northcote has found team-building a difficult proposition. It has secured the transfer of Lou Hart from the Shore juniors. He should be a useful partner for Hibbert at full back, and release Lithgow for his old possie at centre-half. The Blues lack thrust in their forward line, but they have always been a team of surprises and a victory is no uncertainty, for the Young Men will be favourites on form.