Cup-Tie Soccer

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 129, 22 August 1927, Page 7

Cup-Tie Soccer

PONSONBY OUTS WARO

Navy and Thistle Draw

PONSONBY passed into the next round of the Chatham Cup on Saturday by eliminating Waro Wanderers from the North Auckland district. The miners from the Winterless North were unable to adapt themselves to the ultrawintry conditions at Blandford Park, and Ponsonby won comfortably by five goals to nil. A lively mud-larking game between Navy and Thistle saw the service team secure the first championship point gained from the leaders by a club this season, the game ending two goals each.

pONSOXBY was without O’Brien, whose place was filled by Mooney, Innes going to centre-forward, and Hunter taking the right wing position. The “Ponies” wore black arm-bands as a token of sympathy with their trainer-coach, Mr. Jas. Curtice, whose •wife had passed away in the morning. The Waro Wanderers impressed as a very solid eleven when they filed out, but the Hikurangi miners found the slushy surface too much of an obstacle and were unable to produce their real form, while the “Ponies” waded into it, and soon had two goals on the slate as the result of determined rushes and hard shooting by Bell and Innes. MUD UPSETS WARO Waro then abandoned any attempt at short-passing movementsand started on the hard-kicking, up-and-under game, but the Ponsonby defence was very solid, and if the miners eluded the back division they found Watts—and the mud—a stumbling block in the goal area. Ponsonby was countering with some lively raids, but Rodger and Rigby defended solidly, and Smith brought off some clever saves, halftime sounding with Ponsonby two up.

In the second half Pickett had to retire for a spell with an injured nose, and Waro made some ineffective attempts to score, Ackers showing good form, but Wright shone out in the defence, and thfc tide turned in the “Ponies” favour when Pickett returned. In the last quarter of an hour

Innes, Tomilty and Hunter each found the net, and Bell headed past Smith, but was ruled off-side; time being signalled with the Wanderers knocked out by five goals to nil. 4 THE PLAYERS’ FORM The Northlanders were disappointed at having to make their bow to the Auckland public under such conditions, but made no excuses for their decisive defeat. With a little luck Waro would have notched a couple of goals, but at no stage of the game did the Northerners look like having a winning chance. In Smith they have a useful goalkeeper, and Rodger got in some strong defensive work at fullback. McGeachie, at centre-half, showed that he has a good knowledge of the position, but he found ball control and accurate passing very difficult. Ackers was the best of the forwards. and less inclined to get bogged than his team-mates, who were unable to seize the openings offered them. Ponsonby played its usual lively and forceful game, slinging the heavy ball about with precision and judgment. The manner in which the whole team stood up to a gruelling game, and going stronger than ever at the finish, speaks well for the conscientious training work they have been doing in their determined endeavour to win the coveted cup for Auckland. Each man played his part well, and none stood out for special mention. The “Ponies” are now due to meet the Rotowaro miners at Huntly on Saturday next, when a much harder struggle may be anticipated. The Waro Wanderers were the only nominees for the Chatham contest from North Auckland, but the South Auckland winners have won their way through in some strenuous knockouts and should give the “Ponies” a great go for it. CHAMPIONSHIP GAME The postponed championship game between the. Thistle and Navy provided a diverting attraction, and was a far more exciting encounter than the cup-tie which preceded it. The Scots were without Kay, Hislop and D. Stewart, and tried out two promising juniors in Webb and Sharpies, who both showed good form. Navy was without Miles, but has found a very valuable recruit in Reid, of the Dunedin, who gave a great display at centre-half. The burly young stoker is of a similar style and build to Kissoclc, and altlicmgh only just out of his teens, has acquired a lot of experience at the code and become a finished player. LIVELY MUDLARKING The cup-tie had churned the ground into a sloppy morass, but the Navy men seemed quite at home in the

watery going-, and but for missing a couple of “sitters” would have lowered the Thistle’s unbeaten record in the two willing half-hours played. There were plenty of comic incidents and humorous interludes in addition to some clever play, and both sides wallowed into it with plenty of ginger and gusto. Toward the end the game became pure farce-comedy, the seriousness of the mud-smothered players appealing to the spectators’ sense of the ludicrous. Few of the players were recognisable when time was called with the score two goals each, but the reorganised Navy team gave the impression that, if they can maintain the strength shown on Saturday, they will have a big say in the Falcon Cup knockouts about to start. Mr. Nisbett, Hikurangi, proved himself a very efficient referee under difficult circumstances. DACRE MEMORIAL CUP Manurewa v Shore With bad conditions under foot and more rain threatening, a keen game was contested at the Domain. Manurewa pressed from the outset, and by dint of hard play gave Anderson the chance to bundle the ball over the line soon after the commencement of the game. Shore struggled manfully however, and equalised before the half-time whistle had gone. Half-time scores:Manurewa 1 Shore 1 The second spell saw Manurewa determined to regain its lead and it succeeded through Anderson, who, as in the first goal, bundling it through from a mix-up. j The final scores were: Manurewa 2 j Shore 1 Metropolitan v Ponsonby In the first spell Metropolitan had the advantage of a strong wind. Making full use of their opportunities, Pollard and Bryson netted successively for Metropolitan, Pollard scoring two. Jenkins scored for Ponsonby. Half-time score: Metropolitan 3, Ponsonby 1. In the second half Ponsonby more than made up for the previous half’s play. With the wind and sun behind it the team completely overwhelmed the opposing defence and full-time sounded with the scores: Ponsonby 5 Metropolitan 4 DRAW AT TAKANINI Takanini played Northcote on Saturday at Takanini. In contrast to the wet state of the city playing areas, the ground was in good condition, no water lying on it at all, the ball got very greasy with the rain that fell, and the players were handicapped by this. Play opened very even, the ball travelling from one end of the field to the other, till Norman sent in a good centre to Martin, who drew first the defence and opened Takanini’s account. Northcote set up a hot attack, and Roberts, in goal for Takanini, threw behind, and from the corner Roberts, for Northcote, equalised the score. Northcote continued to press, and sent in some hot shots, just before half-time was called, the home team took a hand in the attack. Martin sending a shot in, but the Northcote goalie relieved, and half-time was called. Takanini . * 1 Northcote 1 On resumption of play, the ball travelled up and down the field, till North-, cote set up a hot attack, and from a good save. Holmes, for Northcote. found the Takinini’s goalkeeper out of position, and sent in a soft goal. Northcote 2, Takanini 1. Takanini livened up, and attacked very hard, several shots going wide, Northcote were penalised for handling the ball, and Beaumont made no mistake with the shot. Northcote 2, Takanini 2. At this stage Meek, of the Northcote team, was ordered off. Northcote attacked, and when time was called were knocking hard, and with no further score, two extra ten minute spells were played. For the extra 20 minutes’ play, neither side could gain any advantage, so the game ended in the dusk with honours even. Hewitt and Goodman were absentees from the Takanini team. A. Faulkner one of the veterans of the club, donned the colours and helped his team. (After extra time) Northcote 2 Takanini 2