SOCCER

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 73, Issue 98, 28 April 1930, Page 12

SOCCER

WANGANUI ASSOCIATION SHIELD COMPETITION. OPENING GAMES. By 1 * Abbotsford. ” Ideal weather conditions on Saturday favoured the Wanganui Football Association for the opening games in the Shield Competition. On Cook’s Gardens the attraction was K.P’s and Thistle. Unfortunately the “blues” were short-handed and in the end suffered defeat by five goals to three. On Victoria Park Athletic and Eastbrooke put up a good exhibition, the former winning by live goals to three. K.P’s. AND THISTLE. Playing with the sun at their backs the blues had the better of the opening exchanges, Marton being forced to save in the first five minutes. Heath next had an attempt which went past the post. Keeping up the pressure, Thistle got their reward when Tregilgas beat Martin all the way. K.P’s. took up the attack and nearly counted, the blue goalie mis-kicking badly. End to end play followed with Thistle the mure likely team. The reds came more into the picture, Fowler having to save from Neilson. The same player had another try saved but Jamieson got the rebound and equalised with a good shot. Following this score Thistle livened up, forcing a corner which was cleared. A free kick to Thistle just outside the penalty area was sent past, and K.P.’s took a turn at attacking without result. Thistle returned to the attack, Martin saving well from Heath, but a minute later had to admit defeat when Tregilgas got the ball and beat him all ends up.

Thistle were not done yet and just on half-time Verral caught up a cross from Heath and scored. Half-time found the scores:—

Thistle 3; K.P’s. 1. K.P’s, started the second spell as if they meant business, Mclntyre striking the cross-bar in the first minute. Neilson got the ball in a favourable position, but shot weakly past. The pressure was bound to tell, however, and eventually Meikle scored a nice goal. The reds now set out for the equaliser, 1 owler having to save with Meikle in close attendance. The equaliser came at last, the ball going into the net from a bunch of players. Play was rather desultory for a period, with K.P’s. always having the upper hand, but Kidd was defending well and had a lot to do with keeping the reds out. Following a sharp rush Neilson netted but the whistle went for off-side. It was now only a matter of time before another goal came and when it did come Jamieson .was the scorer. \

K.P’s. soon returned, Fowler saving well on numerous occasions. Neilson had a glorious chance to add another but shot weakly from close in. On one of Thistle’s spasmodic attacks Heath got well away but was stopped by Davidson in rather a questionable manner Thistle’s appeal for a penalty went unheeded and K.P’s. returned to the attack. Just before th e end Neilson found an opening and registered the red’s fifth goal, the result board reading:— K.P’s. 5; Thistle 3. EASTBROOKE AND ATHLETIC. Fast, even play was the order at the commencement of the Eastbrooke-Ath-letic game, with neither side able to claim any superiority. A score looked like coming the way of Athletic when Holland took up a pass from Bell, but Scott brought off a good save. Eastbrooke then had a turn on the offensive without result and Athletic were soon paying Scott a visit. The blues repulsed the attack and got down to the other end. After strong pressure they got their reward when Chesnutt was beaten. ' Athletic now strove for the equaliser, which came when Holland accepted a pass from the left and beat Scott all the way. Half-time found the scores:—

Eastbrooke 1; Athletic 1. Athletic soon got going after the re-start and gave the ’Brooke defence a gruelling time of it. Holland got through on his own but could not get a shot in. A penalty failed to give Athletic the lead* Scott saving Holland’s shot. Athletic were not to be denied, however, and eventually Holland found an opening and gave his side the lead, ’Brooke retaliated after this reverse and were soon on equal terms, Jones breaking through to score. Shortly after the same player headed another goal from a corner and ’Brooke were one up. Play now became more willing, both ends being visited in turn. The game then swung in favour of Athletic and with a good shot Holland levelled the scores again. Midfield play ruled for a spell unfil Athletic broke away, the movement culminating in Holland scoring after he had struck the cross-bar. Athletic now had a good grip of the game and following a free kick Fairclough got the ball and put the issue beyond doubt when he beat Scott to register the fifth goal. This was the last incident in the game, the whistle going shortly after, with the score;— Athletic 5; Eastbrooke 3.