THE SOCCER CODE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20021, 21 August 1939, Page 8

THE SOCCER CODE

KIRK CUP CONTESTS EASTERN IN THE LEAD THISTLE LOSE TO MERCS Following up their defeat of Mercantile in the previous week, Eastern Union scored another win on Saturday, when they were matched witli Territorials. They took the lead in the Kirk Cup series as a result of their defeat of Territorials, and they now have to bea t Thistle to make sure of their hold on the trophy, Thistle and Mercantile jointly occupy second place in the Kirk Cup series, each having suffered one defeat. Assuming that Mercantile defeat Territorials in the next game, and Thistle beat Eastern Union, three teams will be on a par, and a playoff will be necessary. Territorials put up a good showing against a far superior team: on Saturday, and did not give Eastern all their own way, though beaten by three goals to nil. Their football was sound and clean. E. Bridge scored two goals for the winners, and D. Cook notched the other.

The main attraction of the afternoon was the meeting of Thistle and Mercantile, Mercantile winning by three goals to one. The game was marred to some extent by shock tactics, and some heat developed towards the close of the match. Mercantile deserved their win, carrying the game to their opponents most of file time, but Thistle figured in dangerous breakaways, as a variation of the dogged defensive tactics which characterised tholir play most of the time. Their forwards failed to combine well, and their attack was largely a matter of individual efforts. W. Hall scored two goals for Mercantile, and J. Barbour one; while for Thistle, S. Slade scored one goal In a week-end match for the Football Association Cup, which they won the previous week-end from L.V.A., the Buffaloes Lodge team staved off a determined challenge from the Combined Printers. They scored three goals to their opponents’ one. The P. and T. team made a colourful return to the week-end competition when, in their new yellow and black jerseys, they engaged a _ team from the Mercantile club. Their appearance on the field 'was very smart, and following a good display of soccer, they managed to draw the match, the score being three-all. Players For Training

In view of the engagement with Wellington, to be played on the Childers Road Reserve on September 2, the Poverty Bay Football Association’s selectors have nominated 1G players for special training in the period preceding the selection of the Poverty Bay team. The following players are requested 'by the committee to attend at the Childers Road Reserve this evening at 7 o'clock: — Forwards.—J. Burns, W. McGrory, E. Bridge, A. Waugh, J. Dunsmore, and J. Barbour: half-backs, W. Mulrooney, W. Hall, R. Johnson, B. Jarvie, and J. Crawford: backs, J. Wilson, J. Watt, H. Easton, D. Elliott: goal, G. Mulrooney. Players named above are reminded that "their attendance at coaching assemblies will have an effect upon their chances of final selection.