FLOODLIGHT SOCCER

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 641, 18 April 1929, Page 13

FLOODLIGHT SOCCER

FIRST NIGHT TOURNEY A SUCCESS TRAMS THE FIRST WINNERS Tho first production ol' night football by artificial light at Blandford Park last evening was a brilliant success, and thoroughly enjeyed by both players and spectators. The Soccer headquarters presented a dazzling appearance when one entered the gates from the dark street, the playing arena resembling a huge billiards table with its green sward of emerald velvet thrown out in bright relief by nearly 50.000 candle power of electric light. Some 1,200 spectators were present. A short shower about. half-way through caused some of the heated lamps to burst and fuse, and the switch had to be thrown out for a few moments. but otherwise everything went off well, and the control board officials kept the programme going at top speed. SIXTEEN TEAMS Sixteen of the seventeen senior clubs entered teams for the seven-a-side tourney. Xorth Shore being the only club which declined to support the experiment. Newmarket, however, was unable to field a full seven, and its place was taken by a Ponsonby B team which outed Corinthians and Thistle. Most of the prominent ssnior players turned out. and the two sharp bursts of five minutes each should prove splendid setting-up drill for Saturday’s opening games. Most of the public idols were readily recognisable from the terraces, and the flight of the white enamelled ball even in a high trajectory was easily followed, z. nd there was - no more miskicking or mistiming by - the players than in ordinary play, and | some of the goalies saved brilliantly at | times. The same fighting conditions would be quiet suitable for a full side and j full-time game, and the new* idea ’ opens up opportunities for Soccer on j summer evenings as a popular outdoor attraction. Tho severi-a-side idea is not so spectacular as the five-a-side, five jninutes each way bouts, which are a popular feature in Scotland and the Xorth of England during the “close” season. Then the game is one of individualism and opportunism, but last night, with coven a side, there was too much attempt at combination and short-pass-ing t*»am w*ork. and instead of developing into a wandering back the goalies were content to stay at home in the Conventional fashion. MURRAY’S BRILLIANCE The most brilliant individual effort was that of Murray Kay, in Thistle's first bout with Y.M.C.A. The ‘Flying Scotchman” went nap and landed five i brilliant goals in ten minutes. Spencer. the Auckland centre, was the most ! consistent player in the tourney, and it was liis individual cleverness and ! opportunism which left Trams still ' champions after a strenuous four rounds, but Onehunga put up a gallant 1 fight in the final when no goals were scored, but Trams snatched the final ; knock-out by the only corner recorded. Details are: ! First Round. —Tamaki defeated Manurewa by 3 corners to 0; Thistle (Kay 5) defeated Y.AI-C.A-, 0; Onehunga. defeated Xorthcote - and Birkenhead United by 2 I corners to 0; Metropolitan. 1 (Pollard), defeated Rangers. 0: Tramways (Spencer 2* defeated Ponsonby, 0: Belmont, i ' (Allen), defeated Philomel, 0 Bon Ac- ‘ ; cord. 2 (Dunsmore 1, Tremain 1). de- • . feated Celtic, 0; Ponsonby B, 1 (Fore- - mnn>. defeated Corinthians. 0. j ! Second Round. — Onehunga. 1 (Peter- _ • sen), defeated Tamakt. 0; Tramways. 5 (Spencer l. Bell 2> Metrotvdi- • tan, 0; Bon Accord defeated Belmont by 1 corner to 0: Ponsonby B, 1 (Afcrrfson •, V defeated Thistle. 0. Semi-final. —Tramways. 1 i spencer), defeared Ben Accord. 9; Onehunga defeated Ponsor.by l>y 1 corner to 0.