ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 155, 1 July 1907, Page 3

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

PONSONBY V. NORTH SHORE. Owing to the non-attendance of the referee some weeks back, this match was postponed, but it eventuated on Saturday under favourable conditions ou the Shore ground. The game was witnessed by a number of spectators, who were treated to very exciting and good play throughout. Ponsonby won the toss, and elected to defend the northern goal. From the kickoff the Shore forwards rushed the ball downfield. where some exciting play resulted in Fonsonby's goal, Dacre and Harvey both shooting unsuccessfully. Ponsouby then obtained possession and reversed matters, making things lively for the shore custodian for a while, Howie doing some tmart work. The ball travelled up and down the field, until the Shore forwards obtained possession, and Harvey making a good run on the wing, centred beautifully, and G. Galbraitfc, by smart work, rushed the Ponsonby custnaian, causing him to lose possession of the ball a score resulting, making Shore 1, Ponsonby nil. From the kick-off Andrews secured, and beating the opposing backs with a tricky dribbling run, scored Shore's second goal. Ponsonby livened up after this, and pressed Shore, Taberner from the wing making a good shot, but Bayly was equal to the occasion. Play remained in tnidfield for a while, until Shore again obtained possession, and by good combined play carried the ball into Ponsonby territory. Dacre. centring well, enabled Andrews to secure and score Shore's third goal. Give - and - take play continued, until Ponsonby were penalised for a fonl throw-in. From the kick Henderson made a very good attempt at goal, but WhaJey saved well. From a free kick to Ponsonby the ball travelled uprield, but Shore cleared, and good play by Galbraith bro! .ers saw Pousouby ou the defensive again, Harvey and Dacre shootinc unsuccessfully. The spell ended in midfield, with the score— Shore 3, Ponsonby nil.

The second, spell opened with a sound attack by Ponsonby. Meldruin. from a free kick, placed the ball in goal, bnt Short cleared, and carried play into Pon- ! sonby's half. Knight and Bullock doing splendid work. For the next twenty minutes play was of an even character, the ball travelling up and down the ground, I making the game very fast and open. Bennett and Bullock were playing well, and saved time after time, while Mitchell, Webster, nnd Taberner were conspicuous for Ponsonby at this period <if the same. Both sides had a number of gond attempts at goal, but failed, owing to the sound play of both custodians. Ponsonby. who were playing a bettor game, came away with the ball, and after some good passing Webster scored Ponsonby's first goal. From this out the came was of an escitinz and interesting character, both sides striving to increase the score. From a spectator's point of view, the game was a good exposition of soccer, and by far the best game played on the Shore ground this season. The spell ended without further score, leaving Shore victorious by 3 goals to 1. Shore had by far the best of the game, combining and playing better than has been the case so far this season. The feature of the game was the play of Andrews for Shore. He was conspicuous from start to finish, and his two goals wero the result of brilliant and heady play. All the North Shore backs played well, there being nothing to choose between them, while Dacre, Harvey, and Galbraith wero prominent in the forward line. For Ponsonby Whaley. in goal, was sound, while Dawson, Webster, Taberner, Ritchie, and Faudon were about the best of an even The second grade matches resnltea as follows:— W.Y.M.I. A v. Olympic: Olympic won by one 20a! to nil. W.Y.M.I. B v. Corinthians: W.Y.M.I. B won by three goals to two. V.M.C.A. v. Tabernacle: V.M.C.A. won by six soals to nil.

" Ivanboe v. St. Jeter's: Ivanlioe won by six goals to two. North Shore v. St. David's: North Shore won lit five goals to ail.