JUNIOR SOCCER.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 223, 20 September 1928, Page 16

JUNIOR SOCCER.

TEAMS IN THE MAKING.

FOOTWORK AND JUDGMENT WEAK

DANGEROUS ELEMENTS APPARENT

There ia in some of the teams in the lower grades of Soccer an inclination to indulge in methods that are decidedly cumbersome and dangerous, while the liner points of the game are being more or less passed over. As in the several curtain-raisers on Blandford Park this season the juniors, while commendably anxious and determined, are paying least attention to the ball when indulging in tackling. This is fatal to successful play and should be discouraged by club officials. Judgment in heading, trapping and placing are weak, and if the attention that is given to the opponent instead of the ball were directed to these finer points of the game a greater number of juniors would be deserving of promotion. The curtainraiser last week between Newmarket and Glen Eden produced a hard game and the better team certainly won. Both teams were best served by their defence. It was good to see Reg. Craxton, one time the best goal-keeper in the country, an Auckland and New Zealand rep., lending his aid to the Newmarket club and bringing off many praiseworthy saves. Potts and J. Smith were sturdy defend* ers, who had a weakness, however, in reckless kicking. Curtis, McLennan and Weir were a plodding half-back line, but more attention to placing and the open-, ing up of the attack would greatly improve their usefulness. The forwards did not work together at all well and repeatedly got out of position, but the long kicking of the rear division at times gave them little chance. Ainsley was a serviceable player and Clark, though inclined at times to hang on too long to the ball, took a prominent part in aggressive moves and gave Hewitt every opportunity. Newmarket found it a hard task to cross the Alps of Glen Eden. B. A. ajid H. Alp always figured prominently in defence. The first-named, an old Auckland rep. player, is still a tower of strength to the team, but when forced to do much running and when bustled by youth shows signs of the march of time. H. Alp, in centre-half, made valiant efforts to force home attacking movements, while Allen and Calvert, the ' other half-backs, gave good support. Jerrim, inside right, and Anstead, centreforward, were easily the best forwards in the game. The inside right is a deadly shot and easily worth a place in senior ranks. The Kiwi v. Corinthian second-grade match was a hard and fast game, which resulted In a win for Corinthians by 4 goals to 1. The game was more even than the score Indicates; the weak finishing of the Kiwi front line being responsible for the only goal being scored. Corinthians, on the other hand, made most of their opportunities in front of goal, their forward line giving a finished display. There were numerous casua.ciee during the game, these being entirely accidental, for the game, though hard, was clean. Toward.--the end Corinthians' keeper received a nasty knock when endeavouring to save from a melee in front of goal, and war unable to continue! Sharpies and Fitton play«d well for Corinthians, while Munr< and O'Leary were good for Kiwi. The Belmont-New Lynn third-grade game was evenly contested, New Lynn winning by 3 goals to 2. Belmont had to field som. Juniors to make up their team, and they performed creditably. New Lynn held li slight advantage in the first spell, leading by 2 to 1. In the second each side scorei. a goal, which just about represented th run of the play. The defence on both side was a feature of the game, the tackling am, clearing being first-class. New Lynn wil now meet W.Y.M.I. to decide who will entc the final of thin knock-out competition. The North Shore v. Y.M.C.A. fifth-grad< knock-out final resulted in a win for North Shore by 1 goal to nil. It was a hard ami fast game, and Y.M. put up a great fight against their heavier opponents. Both teams were weak in front of goal, ami although Shore held the advantages in attack they could only penetrate tin defence on one occasion. I'arkes, in goa. for Y.M., gave a great display, and some <>. his saves were brilliant. Moxsom, Colt mun (two sixth-graders) and Strange wer« also good for Y.M. For Shore, Oriniston. Smith, McCluskey and Epman were pro min en t. The sixth-grade knock-out match between Mount Albert Grammar School and Belmont was a great exhibition, both teams playing fine football. At full time the score was 1 all, and extra time was necessary. Mount Albert scored in the extension, and kept their opponents out In the change over. It was a sparkling game, the positional play and the clever backing up by both sides bring a failure of the match. For Belmont Blair played a tine game, while Dixon was also prominent. For Monnt Albert Gramnuir School Angus was clever In the forward line, getting a fine goal. Millar was also outstanding in the half-back line. The Y.M.C.A. v. Comrades sixth-grade knook-o\it game wns another interesting contest. Comrades had to field several substitutes in their team, and at full time the scorn wns .", goals each. During the extended period Y.M.C.A. put on two more, and run out winners by 5 to 3. Some »,.?♦"m ■i h J , . u wns «»'own by both sides, v n , * ■*'.• t " am wpr " better in com,vn M,M? Viln pl "-V; " lul to th * s fact » p nd u,„ Wln - ,or YM - Murfane, Bell w/m, 8 Mn PrC the best, while* HayInnrtln, ;. r. 11,s "?'' were outsrnnriing for Comrades. knor'k'nnt VV^ 1 ' 5n thc "Ixth-grade v/.-..'. .; nr0,1 !" ,,, fl another hnrd game sfinio great <«•»« u„iu "ringing off VETERANS' MATCH. Messrs. R. W. Took and K. R Marsh h.v.. ,"rtf-trd the blowing team toplav l»r th,. Ilnmilti.il veterans at Hnntlv on for th ! ,y ! "*' X vi " p : ,l,,yt ,h0 ntintly vrt?rnns for the Lee Martin Cup :—Goal. F Meal las B« iu W » b " r i'-. F, '" nk K,,; S : h »'™. •ms. limine, a. Wainscott, r,eo iv>x • for wards. .1. Watson, A banielN ' u-rijy Woodhnl. Mnrk Harnett, "chw CraW, "wnresi A. Gurney. a. Gordon" J McCain! SUBURBAN ASSOCIATION. The wecking meeting of thc Auckland «.J i. H ?a S l uhurhlln Football Association Th*" ni i V,th *^ r - Pi <*-"»n« Presiding I Thc Dickson Cup competition havine •rn!' M A P rpf " , " tn H"", "f gold medals will accompany the tropliv. The committee decided ro extend the for °£hft pI " vi .V K u fnrt «T p ™"dVtltl"n hi. E. ' h i nno ."V p sof " f ffold nwlals "The ™,i ll °,:"i'! l P This will be called #». ■.J Mr,l "l Competition." the draw v Thu*u d U. be l n « a " Allows -Bichmond ▼. Thistle, Bon Accord ▼. Celtic, '""""""j