ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXVII, Issue IX, 31 August 1901, Page 398

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

WELLINGTON V. AUCKLAND.

THE VISITORS VICTORIOUS.

The first interprovincial Association match of the season took place on the Domain Cricket Ground on Saturday afternoon. when the Wellington representatives met Auckland’s eleven. The attendance was good, there being well over a thousand present. Contrary to general expectation—both in Wellington and Auckland—- the visitors defeated the local team bv two goals to one, this being the first defeat which Auckland Association representatives have suffered at the hands of Wellington. Wellington won the toss, and defended the eastern goal, playing with a strong wind at their backs. From the kick-off the Auckland forwards dribbled near Welington’s goal with a pretty rush, which ended in Yates making an unsuccessful shot. Cave dribbled to the goal from the throw in. but the Wellington fullbacks gat possession, and transferred play to midfield, and thence, with a strong attack, to Auckland’s territory, F. Goldie relieving. Hales and Johnson then got on a nice passing dribble,

which Sawbridge stopped, sendiqg Fha leather back to Wellington’s halt Clark intercepted a dribble and relieved the pressure, Renai following with a long kick. Sawbridge missing, the ball settled in Auckland’s half. Here M bite had a shot a goal from a dangerous position, but Wright stopped nicely, and play centred. After a pretty dribble to the penalty mark. Heather centred to Bradstock, whose shot went just outside the post. Goldie followed with a shot from the kick off, but Renai stopped, and give and take play followed near midfield, until Heather again carried up the field, his shot just missing the upright. Heather then received a nasty kick on the ankle, and had to retire, Clark taking his place. Bradstock returned to the attack. Fitzgerald, in goal, stopping a good shot. Wellington then rallied, and a nice bit of passing by Wells and Johnson ended in Sawbridge kicking out just in time. Wright, in goal, stopped the corner kick, and soon after Sinnett had a shut at goal, but missed. By a niee dribble along the line Care and Bradstock returned the ball to Wellington's half, but the forwards again swept down- to the blue and white goal. Meldrum relieving the pressure. Tri?ky play by Richards improved Auckland's position, and Goldie carried the ball to the dangerous area, Renai relieving. Some exciting play in front of the goal followed, a nice shot by Meldrum being well stopped by Fitzgerald. A fine piece of play started near midway by Deadstock took the ball to the corner flag, where Hawkins kicked behind, but Tales made a poor attempt at corner kick. Clark then carried to Auckland’s half, but Meldrum. with a long kick, again had the black and golds near their back line. A couple of shots by Bradstock were unsuccessful, and the visitors then invaded Auckland’s half, off-side play by Smellie putting an end to a dangerous rush. A long shot by Hales was

knocked behind by Kober, and Wellington had a corner kick. Hales centred nieely, and Wells with a low straight ahot, registered first goal for Wellington. Wellington kept the black and whites in their own quarters, until Richards and Cave carried up the field, Renai spoiling the dribble neur the penalty line. Auckland made desjx rate efforts to score, but the defence was too sound, and the leather travelled back to centre. Wright gave Wellington a corner, but Renai made a poor shot, and Bradstock aud Cave rushed to the visitors' half, Cave’s shot failing. Wellington again rallied, and with a couple of kicks had the heme team busy defending. Kober mulled a long shot and Johnson, Hales and Wells charged the ball through the pests, scoring Wellington's second goal. For the rest of the spell Wellington kept up the attack. Siuuett started the bail rolling in the second spell, and immediately after the black and golds were dangerously near scoring, Wright saving. Auckland then assumed the aggressive, and a beautiful centre by Sawbridge was saved by Fitzgerald. A good centre by Yates was spoiled by Bradstock, and Hales made a. brilliant run up the wing to Auckland’s line, but he failed in centering. The visitors were penalised in their own half for handling the ball, Renai saving. Continuing the attack. Bradstock had a shot at goal, which Fitzgerald stopped. Bradstock received a kick on the ankle when making his shot, and had to leave the field, McDougall coming on in his place. Meldrum made a couple of shots at goal, but they were made at too great a distance* from the goal, and Fitzgerald had little difficulty in saving. From centre Goldie dribbled up the field and made a good shot, Fitzgerald again saving. Goldie had another shot directly after, the ball going behind, and fiom the kick off Wellington invaded Auckland's half. McDougall returned with a pretty dribble, and F. Goldie carried on to the mouth of the goal, where a shot was neatly saved by Renai. Cave centred well frem a corner kick, anti Yates made a good attempt, tutFitzgerald was equal to the occasion, and the black and golds transferred the scene of operations to Auckland’s ground, a behind eventuating. Goldie dribbled back along the line. White kicking out. Following the throw-in a gqod chance was given Goldie, but he did not take advantage of the opportunity, and he soon afterwards threw away another chance by making a poor kick. From a shot by Richards, Fitzgerald returned up the. field, and Wells dribbled to the home team's end, Wright kicking behind. The black end whites returned to midfield, and a long dribble by Cave was stopped by White near the goal. Meldrum made a long shot from the edge of the ground, and Fitzgerald mulling badly, Goldie rushed the ball into the ne r , scoring Auckland's only goal. Thence to the end of the game Auckland l.tpt up a merry attack, but the defence was not broken through, and the bell sounded with the score tt Wellington 2 goals; Auckland 1.