ASSOCIATION

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 2, 28 September 1920, Page 6

ASSOCIATION

REPRESENTATIVE MATCH WELLINGTON DEFEAT NORTH ISLAND The Association football match. North Island representatives v. Wellington, was played at the Athletic Park yesterday afternoon in the presence of about 3000 spectators. Wellington won by two goals to one, after an evenly-contested game, in which neither eleven showed more than passinc flashes of brilliancy. It was indeed a mediocre exhibition, marred to, a. certain extent by a stiff northerly wind. The teams were:—North Island: J. Porteous (goal), A. Bel'.. E. Taylor. N. M'Arthnr, W. Brownlee, 0. Dacre, li. Smith. J. Inneu, D. Ferguson, (i. Campbell. C. Ballard. Wellineton: A. Tarrant (coal). E. Edwarrtf, G. Bell. H. Bradbury, A. Auld, A. Murle, .h. Smith, H. Porter, H. Carruthern, M'EMgott, W. Thonian. ■ , North Island facetl the sun and wlna In the first half, and were early placed on the defensive. Wellington had an unsuccessful corner-shot, but the full-bacKs relieved tho situation. North Island then took a hand in the game, and L. Smith got in ft Bhot at close ranee, which went wide of Ha murk. Play see-sawed up and down tho field, and wild phots were exchanged. Wellingtop were awarded another corner-kick, but were penalised ror off-side play, and E. Taylor (the North Island left full-back) relieved. Wellington, whoi were making the most of tlio wind, soon returned to the attack, and M'Elligott had a. couple .of .unsuccessful shots. M'Arthur" "and T. Bm.ith relieved in pretty fashion, the latter rounding off his effort by ccnterlns nicely, but the pall was played behind, iv corner resulting. Prom this Wellington cleared, and traiioferred play to their opponents' Quarters. Much o£ the attacking team's klckinjr wa« without ffcod judgment, the ball frequently going too high. ? Play up to this stage had been lacking Ju~r.ombi.nat!on except for one neat movement by the North Island forwards, which, however, had no material results. Subsequent play was marked by an interchange of kicking. On one occasion H. Porter had tho leather i:i a nice scoring position, only to make a very posr shot. Thomas (Wellington) sent In ?. high shot, but the ball was carried over the goal. Durlne a spirited movement in the part of North Island, Inncs put In a beautifully-placed low shot, but Tarrant saved in splendid style. Smith and Innes took the ball up the field, the latter centering well to Ballard, who shot nigh. By this -timo North Island had developed improved combination, with tho result that they were often aggressive. Play fluctuated until just before half-time, during a Wellington forward rush, the ball went out to tho left wins, Thomas sending in a hot, low shot, which beat Porteous and drew iirst blood. Wellington, 1: North Island, 0. . In the second half Wellington opened up briskly. Although the Blacks (Norm Island) were showing better combination, this.' were unablo to hold off several forward rushes, in one of which Porter and L. Smith were associated. The latter sent tho ball across the goal-mouth, where Porter missed, but Thorn iw wsie handy close In, and found tho net. Wellington, 2; North Island, 0. North .Island were stirred by this! latest reverse, and (hey preened persistently, all but goallng threo or four timeß. Once a shot by Ferguson hit the cross-bar. Wellington again became aggressive, and were awarded n PBnalty. Bell, however, could not beat the goalkeeper. Following this, piny was evenly distributed, but the shooting on both sides—the Blacks in' particular—was very poor. In the dying stages of tho game Ferguson headed the ball into the net for the Blacks, making the final score-Wellington, 2; North Island, 1. Mr. V. Bryce waa referee.