SOCCER

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 121, 25 May 1931, Page 4

SOCCER

, WANGANUI .ASSOCIATION SHIELD COMPETITION. SATURDAY'S MATCHES. i I’lay in the Shield Competition was , resumed un Saturday when the Wan ■ ganui Football Association commence I i the second round. On Cook’s Gardens Athletic and Thistle took part in an evenly-contest ed game, the honours resting xvith Atliletic when the final whistle went, al though the margin was small. On Victoria Park K.P.’s beat East brookc by a “fluky” goal. ATHLETIC AND THISTLE. | Thistle started play, invading iinnie diately, a free sending them back. Then followed two corners for the blues without result. Athletic transferred play, a fruitless ••orner being their only reward. A sharp run by Athletic (eft Holland with an open goal but th. centre missed badly. Heath led out nicely for Thistle only to sec Bain fail badly at the finish. A long shot was saved by Chessnut.t. the goal-keeper being penalised fot steps. From the kick Heath headed in | and opened the scoring after nine minutes’ play. Athletic attacked followed this re verse, the ball being placed nicely for Boyack but Tasker nipped in and go: Thistle out of a tight corner. Thistle looked likely scorers when Heath squared but Thompson sent over. At the other end Athletic profited by an opening and R. Wilson equalised. Then a cross from Bell landed close in, Kitson punching clear. Play was fluctua* ing a lot, both ends being visited in turn. A corner to Thistle saw Mclnm >- place well for Heath to give Thistle the lead. Athletic retaliated, forcing a corner, and then Holland connected with a cross from Bell, only to sec Kitson hold the ball safely. Then came a nice bit of play, Little flashing the ball across to Bain, who shot well an.l true for Chessnutt to save well at th<* expense of a fruitless corner. A period of Athletic pressure kept Thistle defending, Kidd .and Dickson doing good work for the blues. A likely movement was pulled up when Holland got off-side and Heath, with a nice dribbling run, transferred play. Boyack, with good play, put Holland in possession and then took the return to beat Kitson and equalise. Athletic were the more likely team at this stage, but could not pierce the “blue’’ defence. Bell put the Thistle on the defensive but Dickson cleared. Thistle took a turn on attack. Heath. Dickson and Bain combining well without result. At the other end Boyack and Holland got away until Kidd came to light with a timely clearance. Still keeping at it Thomas let Bell away but Boyack could not control the latter’s cross and the chance was lost. The score was bound to come and Thomas was the man t.» provide the goal with a shot from well out which cannoned off the bar on to the, goalkeeper and into the net. Play quietened down towards halftime, a let of aimless kicking being indulged in. A free to Thistle was taken by Dickson but went past. Just on half-time Holland tested Kitson with a stinger which the goalie saved well at the expense of a fruitless corner. Half-time came with the score: Ath letic 3; Thistle 2. Thistle started the second spell strongly and with the sun causing trouble Thompson slipped the bull pas' Chessnutt in the opening minute. A minute later Chessnutt had to leave his goal and just got to the ball before Bain. A pass from Wilson to Bell put Athletic on attack ano Thistle were lucky to clear. Heath had a chance t>' score but elected to dribble instead <>f shooting. Athletic then took the lead when Holland bundled goalkeeper and ball into the net. Then came a run un Athletic’s right wing, Boyack coming close with a good attempt. Keeping at it the ‘‘whites’’ registered another goal, E. Wils» Squaring for Holland to finish off. I Play ranged up and down the fiold and ultimately Heath accepted a transfer from Mclnncs and reduced the difference to one goal. Kidd was next Io have a try, a high dropping shot just clearing the bar. From a well-placed corner Thistle came near drawing level, Heath’s shot hitting the post with the goalie beaten. A brief Atheltic attack was followed by Thistle netting the ball but the whistle had gone for off side. A free by Dickson was saved and then a sharp run by E. Wilson took play to the other end without anything tangible resulting. Two corners fell : • Athletic but neither was improved on. A run by Heath was nullified when Bain shot over and then Bell and Boyack combined well without being able to finish off. Thistle at this stage were on top. Chessnutt having to save twice i" | quick succession. In quick break Athletic got the ball into the net but the referee had seen some previous infringement and the point was disallowed. Holland put Athletic on the move again, Thistle obtaining relief when tin' eager white forwards got offside. Athletic pressed continuously for a spell. E. Wilson being prominent as was Kidd in defensive work for Thistle. A hoi scramble saw the hall bobbing around Chessnutt but; 'Thistle cculd not get ’t in. A corner from Haiti saw the white goal in jeopardy until Chessnutt threw clear. It. was now AtEetic’s turn •" attack but. although the blue defem'c was hard pressed they managed to hold out until the final whistle, with the Athletic Thistle 4 K.P.’S AND EASTBROOK F. Placing <>n Victoria. Park, K.P.’s go! the verdict oxer ’Brooke, bx- one. goalscored by Neilson. Play in this game never reached a. very high standard. ,11 NIORS’ MATCH. In the .junior game play was very ' even, Mills getting the verdict, the final score being 4 (•» 3.