ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

Taranaki Daily News, 4 June 1934, Page 13

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

JULIAN CUP COMPETITION RAIN MARS SECOND SPELLS. STRATFORD DEFEATS ALBION. The second round of the Julian Cup competition was continued on Saturday under the aspices of the Taranaki Football Association. There was no wind, but rain fell during the second half of matches. The results were: Stratford 8 v. Albion 1 and Moturoa 4 v. Pirates 0. At the New Plymouth racecourse Albion, was without the services of Wood, Jamieson and Murdock, but although disorganised put up a staunch defence and kept Stratford playing hard throughout. The score was hardly an indication of the standard of play. For Stratford the Henderson brothers, Jones, Blyth and Gibbs were outstanding, while Berry, Thomas and Upshall were always prominent for Albion. The teams were:— Stratford: Longstaff; Beal, C. Henderson; J. Jones, L. Henderson, Clements; Burgess, Barron, L. Jones, Blyth, Gibbs. Albion: Nichol, Lloyd, Thomas, Upshall; Jldian, Fink, White, Berry, Smith, Croker. Stratford won the toss and played with the wind. Albion pressed through Upshall and Stratford’s goal was besieged for the first five minutes, but Henderson and Longstaff were safe. Thomas tried a shot from well out, but Henderson narrowly deflected it and C. Henderson changed the venue for Stratford. A parting shot went wide. Continuing the pressure, Jones, L. Henderson and Gibbs combined well, but rash shooting by Jones kept the score down. Though disorganised Albion was playing good football and placing the ball well. Lloyd headed clear a dangerous-looking shot from Blyth, and Albion '.-attacked through White, a corner resulting.'-'Play soon returned to Albion territory, and after a sortie in front of goal the ball went behind. Stratford forced a corner and Lloyd cleared to White, who sent across to Upshall; Upshall placed well from 30 yards out; Longstaff fumbled and was fortunate in giving a comer only. During a raid by Stratford Thomas miskicked to Jones, who was unmarked; and his shot gave Nichol no chance to stop the opening goal. Immediately afterwards Stratford forced a corner. Blyth received and his shot was deflected into the net by Lloyd for the second goal. Pressure was continued, and from a melee in Albion’s goal Gibbs scored Stratford’s third goal. The visitors now held the upper hand, keeping Albion continually on the defensive. Albion broke away, Smith passing to Thomas, who sent out to White; White’s centre was neatly headed past Longstaff by Fink, making the score: Stratford 3, Albion 1. The second spell was initiated with an attack by Stratford, Blyth being unlucky in not scoring from an overhead kick. After a spell on the defensive Albion broke away, but the relief was only temporary. Stratford scored through Gibbs, who placed in an open goal. Rain commenced, making conditions unpleasant. Give-and-take play followed, with the advantage to Stratford, and goals were scored in quick succession by Gibbs (2), and Blyth. After a spell of midfield play L. Jones scored with a beautiful shot. Heavy rain fell during the latter part of the game, which concluded in semidarkness, the score being Stratford 8 Albion 1 Mr. G. E. Roper was the referee.