ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

Waikato Times, Volume 104, Issue 17503, 10 September 1928, Page 2

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

HOWDEN CUP FINAL. TROPHY to PUKEMIRO JUNCTION. GAME AT SEDDON PARK. The large crowd at Seddon Park on Saturday were rewarded for their braving of the boisterous weather by a splendid and thrilling encounter between Pukemiro Junction and Wanderers, the former winning by 2 goal? to 1: thus they were enabled to take home with them the Howden Cup and the Championship Shield. The teams Pukemiro Junction —Hazel, Wilkinson, Black, White, Robertson, Garrick (captain), A. Black, Bate, Latimer, Dodds. Hunter. . Wanderers —Hunter, Morgan, \\ . Moon, Thompson, Walker, Kennedy (captain), McDonald, Ransome, A. Moon, Caldwell, Exelby. ivfr Jgmes Baillio controlled the game with satisfaction to all. Undoubtedly the superior team or. the day’s play won, but aU three goals should have been prevented. How the Goals Were Scored.^ 1 Seven**" minutes after the start Robertson from midfield punted the ball towards the Wanderers’ goal when Latimer was in attendance and sccui cu possession. A half-hearted attempt at goal was saved by Hunter, who dallied instead of clearing, and was robbed by Bate, Who shot through a bunch Ox legs into the net Twenty minutes later the ball was again lobbed up field, this time from Garrick. Latimer was the forward again to seucre possession, but was forced over to the right by W. Moon. Rounding this player ana retaining the ball, from a good way out he drove in a good shot into the top corner. It certainly appeared that Hunter’s judgment was at fault, and he has many times saved more difficult shots. The Final Effort, This completed the scoring until three minutes from the end. Here the Wanderers’ efforts were rewarded. Two corners in succession fell to the Wanderers on the right. Both were admirably placed by Kennedy (probably a corner kick specialist,' as he was brought from left half back to take them j. The first was put behind by Hazel: the second dropped to the feet of Alex. Moon, sßuiding unmarked where were those black-jcrscyed defenders who had so successfully shadowed this cneigue centre forward ail the afternoon? Sufficient for Alex. Moon. The moment they had left him —one yard from Lhe goal line with the p a ll —Pc obligingly put Lhe Wanderers on the slate. Too late. Three minutes afterwards the cup was on its way iO Pukemiro. These three efforts were not the sole number of thrills. Take Bate! hour yards out, and in Lifting over the heads of tlie Wanderers’ backs he also lifted j U st—only just—over the bar. But all the thrills were not around the Wanderers’ goal. McDonald might have scored two goals in the first half from the positions he found himself in. He was probably over-awed by the thought, “Well, where can we keep the thing if we do win it?” Then again that time in the second half when Alex. Moon provided us with one of his solo efforts. It wasn’t Alex.’s lucky day, however. His finishing effort struck the post and —very tantalisingiy —came out instead of in.

How They Played. In the Pukemiro goal Hazel cannot be said to have had a busy time, but, particularly in the second half, he made some sa.ves which had the hallmark of “-Brown Shield.” Both backs did their work thoroughly, and if thc.r mission was to watch the centre forward they certainly succeeded. What a splendid half back line I Tireless, rarely sending a wrong ball to their forwards. It is in this department that they arc strongest, and in singling out Roberlson as the best half on the field it in no way detracts from the merit of his two colleagues. Black and Bate formed an excellent right wing, and Bate can claim to be the outstanding personality on the field. Always in the thick of the fray, ever ready to help in defence, and yet never out of position when his side is attacking, lie can lay claim to a large share of his side's victory, for besides the effect bis early goal had on the resultant play few forwards would have made this opportunity as he did. Latimer kept his forwards well plied with judicious passes, and was quite worthy of the position of leader of this good line of forwards. Dodds was always working hard, and if not as successful as the other forwards, he was not a failure; while his partner on the extreme left (Hunter) was the best outside left sqen in Hamilton this season. Altogether the Pukemiro team impressed one as being a good workmanlike eleven, without one weak spot, but with Robertson and Bate the stars. The Homo Eleven. It is a more difficult task to sum up the Wanderers. At limes brilliant: other times not even ordinary. They lacked the cohesion of their opponents, nor were they possessed of the same determination. One felt sorry for Hunter, for reasons already explained, but let iL not be forgoUen that for 15 minutes in the second half he alone stood between the Pukemiro forwards and an increased score, and gallantly during this period lie did his work. Morgan opened shakily, but improved as the game went on. W. Moon lias played better, but considering the opposition against him he can claim to have played quite a good game. Thompson was a real . grafter and worked hard. He did his part well, and many a forward would like to be playing in front of him to profit by Ids “nursing." Walker was a weak link in a vital position. The football in this game was too fast for him. One felt sorry for Kennedy,' the Wanderers captain. He was always looking for work, when in possession looking for a forward who might be well placed, but never parting with the hall haphazard. Except for an occasional tendency to dally with the hall tie played a splendid game. 11 was the-forwards who compared so unfavourably with the Junction line. The only danger likely to ensue seemed to be from Alex. Moon, and lie was well ! marked ail the time, lie did, however. several time manage to elude the oppoI silion and raise the hopes of the Wanderers’ supporters. On the right wing ’ McDonald coulu not centre, and lost ■ many opportunities, while Hansome, of , whom much was expected, was never • in Hie picture. Surely there is not so much difference in inside left to inside I right to account for his falling off i Caldwell provided Alex. Moon with tin* ; greatest measure of support, and was [ trying hard ail through. Lack of 1 training once more hindered his efl'ce-

tiveness. Exelby on the left wing was a great weakness. Why this player persists in tapping the ball side-footed is -i mystery. A wing man, to be of service to his centre forward, must get the ball across, and it cannot be done as Exelby tries to do it. Summed up, it was a rousing encounter, spectators being treated to a splendid exhibition of Soccer, and the result just about indicates the difference in the two teams. Mr James Baillie controlled the‘game with satisfaction to aIL OiUM—■ ■ 1 ■■■■ ENGLISH TROPHY MATCH. AUCKLAND V. WELLINGTON (Special to Times.) AUCKLAND, Monday. The very fine attendance at Blandford Park on Saturday was rewarded with an excellent exhibition of the code, when Auckland and Wellington played a drawn game of two goals each, Auckland thus retaining the trophy, whicli they won by beating Wellington at Wellington on the previous Saturday. Wellington made several changes from the team that did duty the previous Saturday, McGirr being changed to right from left back, to specially keep an eye on the cx-Soulh Aucklander, Glial mers. Play opened briskly, about thirty minutes going by before Wellington opened the score, Smith being the executant, and just before half-time Spencer replied for Auckland with a neat little effort, which gave Lucas no chance. The exchanges had been pretty even, and the score at this stage just about represented the run of the play, the pace, especially considering the heavy nature of the ground, being consistently fast throughout. Reopening the second half Auckland were the first to force the issue, Spcuccr shooting hard for the hall to hit the crossbar, whilst lnncs was inches wide a little later on. The game continued fast and the exchanges were very exciting, Leslie eventually, with a nicely executed movement, beating Batty when close in, making the scores, Wellington 2, Auckland 1. Auckland, stung by this reverse, balLled along gamely, .although the pace was not quite so' warm hereabouts, the ball being very heavy, and Chalmers forcing a corner, which he centred in beautifully. Humphries ran close in to score, and the match again began to be brilliant, the crowd being on tip-toe from now on to the finish. The defences were Loo strong, however, and so a really great game ended in a draw of two goals eadh. The Auckland forwards were not impressive, lnncs and Spencer being the pick, but Jones and Christie played fine football at half-back. Tinkler was very weak. The backs, although fairly solid, were not brilliant. Mr McLeod and Longbottom were the stars of the visiting attack, the former being a thorn in the side of the Auckland defence, and it was fortunate for Auckland that Jones was up to form. Cambell was general of the side, and his play was solid at all times, whilst McGirr and Lucas played well too, the latter playing very well in goal. The gate takings were £lO7 which will just about cover the expenses of the visiting side, and the disbursements necessary for the match. Preliminary Gama. In a preliminary game Waikato Schoolboys beat the Auckland Schoolboys by one goal to nil, Spence (Hunlly), being the scorer. GAMES AT AUCKLAND. AUCKLAND, Saturday. Second grade—Glen Eden 2 v. Rangers 1, Corinthians 3 v. Metro. 1. AT CHRISTCHURCH. CHRISTCHURCH, Saturday. Thistle 3 beat Villa 0. Technical 6 heat Sumner 0. New Brighton 5 heat St. Albans 1.