N.Z. SOCCER TITLE.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 229, 27 September 1929, Page 12

N.Z. SOCCER TITLE.

WELLINGTON'S BID.

CHALLENGE FOR F.A. TROPHY.

"WILL TAKE. IT THIS TIME."

BLANDFOED PAEK ATTEACTION.

"Wo will take* it this time/ I can assure you of that." This was the first remark of Mr. J. Coleman, the general manager of the Wellington Soccer reps., on being met at the express this morning by Mr. F. H. Baker, of the Auckland Football Association on the arrival of the southerners to challenge the local reps, for tho F.A. trophy, the blue riband of Soccer in New Zealand. The game is down for decision to-morrow afternoon on Blandford Park, and, on the excellent showing of tho Wellington sido in July, when the homesters won by a narrow margin, a titanic struggle is certain. "I should say our team on. this occasion is 50 per cent better than that wo wero able to bring north last time," continued Mr. Coleman, "and Aucklanders can take it for granted that they will see a sparkling exposition of Soccer football."

The side to cany the colours of the eleven from the capital, no doubt, in view of Auckland's thrustful, vigorous attack, has been very materially strengthened in the half-backs, where J. Campbell, the New Zealand All Black pivot, has been included. The full-backs are recognised as the best in Wellington, while McVean, in goal on the last occasion, gave a brilliant display of miraculous saving and is in himself a force to be reckoned with. The front rank has as its chief quality speed, dash and ball control, and all the visitors havo been wishing for is a hard dry ground, which "has been arranged for." Aucklanders are, on their part, quite as confident as their opponents. They realiso that the visitors are determined to wrest the title from them and are as determined to hold the handsome trophy for yet another season. The teams will line up thus: — Wellington. McVean. Hooper. Guest. Jeffrey. Campbell. Lambert. Condon. Marshment. Barton. A. McLeod. Craig. Reserve: J. McLeod. Auckland. Batty. Gerrard. Eeid. Morrison. Christie. Jones. Dunsmore. Ilislop. Innes. Spencer. Kay. C.P.O. Pikesley, R.N'., will officiate as referee. Navy Curtain-Raiser. As a curtain-raiser to the rep. match the men of the Dunedin will have a last opportunity of meeting the side from the Diomede ere the latter leave on October 1 for Home. The meetings of these teams have never failed to produce bright, spectacular Soccer, and added to the challenge match this game should complete a programme which for attractiveness has not been excelled on one afternoon in Auckland. The teams will be:— Diomede.—Murch, Miles, Kellick, Gilmoiir, Reid, Banks, Miln, Rivers, Black, Dunsford, Scott. Reserves: Thatcher, Somerson. Dunedin. —Richardson, Marr, Viney, Wilson, Luke, Wilkes, Arthur, Gill, Clarke, Wright, Tite. Reserve: Burton. Junior teams are'as follows:— CARLTON. Sixth Grade.—Atkins, Sneddon, Morrin, McDougall, Selby, Fletcher, Burton, Williams, Cleal, Morris, Fielding, McDonald, Black, Clarke. NORTH SHORE. Seventh Grade.—Cox, McCarthy, Eagles, Stevenson, Beri'ell, Lythberg, Latta, Blackie, Fletcher, Eknian, Ai'clicr. Reserves: Lillicrap, Farquliarson.