ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19999, 15 July 1920, Page 3

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

THE BROWN SHIELD MATCH A DRAWN CAME. (By " NESTOR.’’) The popularity of the Association game in Wellington was demonstrated last Saturday, for in spite of the pouring rain over 1000 spectators witnessed the Brown .Shield match, between Wellington (holders) and Auckland (challengers), on the Btfsin Reserve. The ground was sodden and the hall extremely difficult to control, out in spile, of these drawbacks the game was fast and full of exciting incident right up to the'final'whistle. The match was drawn, with one goal each, and Wellington therefore retain the I hield. The teams lined out as follows: Auckland—A. Wolstenholm '(goal), I/. M. Da ere (right back), P. Colvin (left back), .T. Clanachan. F. .T. Oooke. W. Colvin (halves), M. Hayes, -I. W) Kennedy. C. C. Dacre, H. E. Pealing and A. Woolley (forwards). Wellington—J. P-orteons (goal). d k M’Kenzie (right hack), K. Taylor’(left bade), N. APArthur. W. Brownlees and H. S. Batten (halves), J. Smith, AL M’Eiligott, G. Campbell, H. Porter and C. Ballard (forwards). Air R. Lithgow, of Wellington, controlled the game. The game opened smartly with give and take play, each side appatently endeavouring to measure the calibre r.f the opposing attack and defence. Auckland, by a remarkable display of fool, skill, were the first to he dangerous. Combined play by the forwards took the hall well into the opposing territory, but the Wellington defence cleared. Gathering the Vet hall nicely the Shield defenders carried play to the other end, where G. Campbell snapped up a pass, Smartly working for position the centre forward shot for goal, the ball finding the right-hand corner of the net just out

of Moisten hoi in’s reach. This success came after ten minutes' play, immediately following; Wellington wove again dangerous.- and J. Smith mid a shot which just missed. Auckland returned play to the other end, and a long shot by Da ere just went outside, and the same player tested Portions immediately afterwards. The slippery ground, made Aomhir.atiou almost impossible, and by this, time almost every player was liberally besmattered with mud. After a series of exchanges Wellington again raided the Auckland goal, and Porter forced a corner, but Ballard put the kick behind. Prom near the line Ballard

put over a centre, but Smith lifted the. hall over the bar. Auckland retaliated au-i with a dribbling rush 'arried play to the other end, 'where Woolley had a shot. Wellington saved at the expense of a corner. Woolley placed beautifully, and the ball lobbed into the net. Unfortunately the ball was goaled direct from the corner kick ami no score resulted Subsequently Wot.lley attempted a shot froiifi a difficult angle, but, Porteous saved and play returned to mid-field. Brilliant tactical work by both teams followed until C. Dacre and Pealing broke away, but M’Kcnzie renulscd with a hefty kick. Porter, Sraita. Campbell and Ballard, with a line movement, carried play towards the Auckland goal, but the defence was safe, and the visitors rushed play to the Wellington line, where a corner was forced. "Colvin took the kick and placed in goal, but M’Arthur relieved front a dangerous position. The hearv ground was affecting the players, and close play with any degree of was impossible, The players going for a long slide in the mud time all el time. After a pause in.the game, caused through an injury to Corn’ll, AVellingtou made a raid headed by ..Porter, who shot, hut AVolstenholm fielded safely. Ballard followed up with a fine centre, but the wind carried the ball behind. Auckland retaliated with a. sensational run downfield, the whole forward line, participating. Dacre transferred to Kennedy, who hbof and missed the net by inches. M’ Arthur and Smith relieved, and M’Elligott put out to Campbell. L. Dacre intercepted, however, and at the other end Hayes forced a corner for Auckland. Hayes took the .kick, and the visitors nearly rushed the ball through from a scramble, but Wellington eventually cleared. Auckland were still pressing bard when halftime sounded. After the interval the visitors resumed the offensive with vigour. Pealing and Kennedy'being prominent, but Brownlee relieved. Auckland came again, however, and AA’cllington only averted a score by packing the goal. At this stage Auckland monopolised the play, and AVoolley. after a fine run down the wing, centred. Pealing gathered nicely, ami with a smart first time shot levelled the scores.

Encouraged with this success, Ancklinid returned to the attack, hut by sood defensive. ■ play Wellington relieved, am! play was transferred to the other end; Pealing snapped up, and with a failo run dribbled right, to the Wellington line, a corner' resulting. Woolley took the kick, and lobbed into goal, but Taylor headed'over thelbar. ,M‘.Arthur scut the AVcllington right wing away, hut Colvin cheeked Porter, and'Catnphell carried play to the visitors' goal, hut the latter headed over the bar. Porter again returned to the attack. but Kennedy intercepted a pass to Campbell, and. relieved; A period of give and take play followed until Porter broke away. When tackled bo passed to Smith, who rapped the. upright, with a shot. The ball rebounded into play, and Campbell bad a groat opportunity to goal, but be miskickcd. Wellington were staying the game nut belter than the visitors, and now more control of the play, instantly threatening the Auckland goal. Wellington forced corner 7 after corner, only line defensive, work liy the visitors averting a score. In the final stages Auckland rallied and swarmed to the Wellington goal, but Porteons was safe. Time was called immediately afterwards with Auckland defending. Canterbury are the next challengers of Wellington, and the match, will he, nlavod on the Basin i’eserve on July 21. All mat dies were declared off by the C F.A. last Saturday owing In the wet weather. ' In view of the trial match at: English Park- on/ Saturday next, all Senior I games haVe been postponed. >