ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

Waikato Times, Volume 96, Issue 15359, 6 October 1923, Page 16 (Supplement)

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

(By “Lex.”)

Of Huntly’s defeat in the game at Wellington <on Saturday, the “Post” remarks: —Y.M.C.A. have won their way into the final of the first Chatham Cup competition. In the semi-final, which took place at Athletic Park on Saturday, Young Men defeated lluntly (Soutli Auckland) by two goals to nil, after a game that lacked sparkle and was, in the second spell, finite onesided. After their meritorious win over Northcote (the. crack Auckland eleven), lluntly were considered to have good prospects of lowering the colours of Y.M.C.A., but the local men generally had the best of matters, especially in the second spell, when there were very few occasions when llunlly’s territory was free of inva-

slon by the fast Wellington forwards, who had a day out. There were some good individualists among the visitors, but there was a lacking of combined efforts, a fault that was not noticeable to any great degree In the ranks of the Y.M.C.A. team, the members of which showed a fine understanding of each other’s tactics. Outstanding players for Huntly were 11. Hall, Green, Liddle, Hayes, and Cox. M’Glrr, Pearson, Trott, Ballard, Hindmarsh, Campbell, Smith, and Phillips all shaped well for the winners, Campbell did some good foot work, but once again was inclined to await opportunities instead of making them.

Technical (1) v. Belmont Bths (O)

In the contest between Hamilton Technical School and Belmont sths Belmont by some nice passing were soon attacking, but Chapman with a line kick relieved and S. Hogg getting the ball, fed Pickup who passed to Vedder. Vedder went through and shot, beating the goalie all the way. For Belmont Bates was unmarked dose up and he shot just over. Latta was soon away and Belmont cleared at the expense of a corner. Belmont eleven woke up and for a time Hamilton were kept defending but Hunter was always ready. Latta broke away but was well stopped by Bates who fed his forwards. Nice

passing and pressure in the Hamilton goal gave chances and Hunter saved twice. Hand was playing a nice safe game at full back. From a rush through by hand, Hogg passed out to J. Hogg who put one right across the field to Latta. Ralph, well fed, put in a nice shot that just missed. End to end play followed Chapman and Hand playing solid for Hamilton while the Belmont backs, too, were very good. Half time came with Hamilton 1 up.

On resuming Hamilton soon started pressing and some nice passing between the halves and forwards made the game worth watching. Stan Ilogg was always there to break up the Belmont combination. Denz too, was never beaten. The next move saw Hamilton forwards busy. The five combining Latta flashed across a centre which hit the post and from the rebound Pickup shot over. Hogg on the left tried a run beating man after man and finished up by a centre giving Ralph an open goalibut he shot past the upright. Belmont tried hard to score. Their defensive work was good while Bates fed his wings well and a nice run saw the Hamilton goal being attacked. Chapman handled In the dreaded area, Bates took the shot and fired for the left hand bottom corner of the net. Hunter threw himself and turned the ball round the

corner of the post and was given an ovation by the crowd for his effort. It was a magnificent save. Both defences were kept busy and mid-field play with nice passing made the game very interesting to watch. Hogg by clever footwork put across a nice centre that gave Ralph a chance. From the goal kick Chapman tried a long shot but the Belmont goalie was ready and the ball was soon down the other end. Attacks on both goals followed and the whistle sounded leaving Hamilton winners of a well fought game.