ASSOCIATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 4033, 30 June 1931, Page 47

ASSOCIATION.

SATURDAY’S MATCHES. DUNEDIN, Northern made a poor showing against Seacliff in the local final for the Chatham Cup games. Although it scored the opening goal, the opposition quickly equalised, and the first spell ended without a further goal being registered. Seacliff, with the advantage of the wind in the second spell, were on top throughout, and had no difficulty in adding four more goals. *• In the Fletcher Cup games the leading teams were successful, the results being as follow:— Mosgiel .... 5 Port Chalmers 1 Maori Hill .. 3 Technical .. .. 1 H. 5.0.8. .. 4 Mornington .. 3 The following table gives the relative positions of the teams in the First Grade:-—

, ' Goals. • Cup „ „ P.W. L. D. F. A. Pts. Maori Hill. ~ 9 7 —2 29 11 16 Mosgiel .... 9 6 1 2 23 13 14 Seacliff .... 8 6 1 1 34 12 13 H. 5.0.8. .. 9 6 2 1 31 26 13 Technical .. 9 3 6 — 13 23 6 Northern .. 8 1 5 2 13 20 4 Port Chalmers 9 1 8 — 14 38 2 Mornington ..918 — 17 31 2 Seacliff and Northern have still to play. CHATHAM CUP GAME. Close on 500 spectators witnessed the play-off between Seacliff and Northern at Logan Park on Saturday. The ground was in fairly good order with a slight breeze blowing from the town end. The teams were:— Seacliff.—Thompson. Anderson, Watson, M'Pherson, Gordon, Rogers, M'Laughlan, Simmonds, Hooper, M'Connack, and Baillie. ~ Northern.—-Hail, Coates, Wallace, Baird, Perry, Sutherland, Smith, M'Hugh, Thomson, Y’oung, and Faithful. Seacliff kicked off facing the wind. Faithful opening the attack with a pass from M'Hugh. Thompson, the Seacliff goalie, had difficulty in clearing, and play hung in midfield, neither team settling down. Baird saved for Northern following a well-placed free kick by Gordon, and from a corner-kick, M'Laughlan gave Hooper a good opening, the centre shooting high over. Play moved up and down field. with Seacliff the more dangerous. i as Thomson, the Northern centre, failed to hold his line together. The Seacliff halves were putting the ball through to their forwards and Wallace headed out a fine cross by M'Cormack, whilst Hall, in goal, safely fielded a shot from Hooper. Watson relieved a Northern attack and Baillie made a good run down the line,

M'Cormack finishing the movement with a poor shot. Northern returned play on the right, the ball being sent goalwards. Thompson fumbled ’ the clearance, and Smith, coming in fast, scored an easj- goal. 'Northern. 1, Seacliff nil. From the re-start Seacliff opened out, M'Cormack and Baillie showing up in combined play. Gordon gathered up the cross and sent on to Hooper, who gave Hall no chance. One all. Excitement prevailed as Northern attacked-.on the left, and Faithful’s' shot gave Thompson trouble in clearing, but the inside men were not up with the play, and : an abtfrtive corner resulted. Seacliff were displaying the better football,- the Northern players showing poor judgment in their passing, and a fine chance was given M'Cormack to put his team in the lead, but he shot wildly over. At the other end, Thomson, the Northern’s centre, again . troubled the Seacliff goal, a poor clearance giving the centre a further shot which missed badly. Northern were displaying poor finish in their attacks. Faithful lacked direction and Baird, from a"free kick, placed poorly. Simmonds and M'Cormack came through together, but Coates relieved the pressure for a time, and a determined attack from Baillie forced Wallace to give away a corner, Hall making a fine save by punching out the ball. Perry was playing steadily for the Black and Whites, but his opening-up play was nullified by the poor play of Thompson, the centreforward, and the Seacliff defence was never bustled. Coates and Wallace, the Northern backs, experienced trouble in holding the opposing forwards, the former’s kicking being less pronounced than usual, and only the good fielding of Hall, in goal, kept the score down. A good movement, opened up by Simmonds to Baillie,'gave M'Cormack an open chance, the inside-left again shooting wildly over the top. Just before half time Northerp livened up, Young beating two opponents

to shoot over, whilst Thompson, in goal, took a risk in trapping the ball to clear a further attack. From a cross bjFaithful, Thomson deflected the ball smartly with is foot into goal, where the Seacliff goalie saved well, and the spell ended with the scores 1 all. With the start of the second spell Seacliff quickly took up the attack, Simmonds being prominent. Wallace saved by kicking out, but from the throw in the Northern defence fumbled, and Simmonds hooked the ball to the centre, Hooper scoring with a close shot. Seacliff 2, Northern 1. Seacliff continued to have the best of the play, the Northern rearguard being slow on attack, and Hooper hit the crossbar with a great shot, the ball going over. .Northern s attacks were disjointed, and their-placing gave the Seacliff defence free kicks to clear. M'Hugh and Smith forced a corner, however, which was resultless, and Anderson sent M'Laughlan and Hooper away, Coates partially heading clear, but M'Cormack came up to test Hall without success. Northern followed with a spirited attack, Smith hitting the crossbar with a shot. Faithful secured from the rebound, and returned to goal, Rogers making a timely, save. Keen play followed from Seacliff, the Northern defence showing up better than earlier in the game. Simmonds, however, was showing masterly play, and a nice pass to M'Cormack enabled the latter to beat Hall with a lowdrive. Seacliff 3, Northern 1. From this on the Black and Whites’ play fell away and Seacliff’s halves dominated the game, although a miss by M'Pherson gave Faithful a fine scoring chance, but the winger shot wildly past. Hall saved a long shot from Gordon, and Anderson broke up an attack by Northern. Two" corners followed. then M'Cormack crossed to Hooper, who. flicked the bail into the net. Seacliff 4. Northern 1. Seacliff were now all

over Northern, Sutherland and Coates being outstanding in defence. Perry and Thomson changed places, but the alteration made little difference to the Northern attack. Rogers cut in on M'Hugh for a pass and sent to Baillie, who crossed to M'Cormack, Hall having no chance in saving a good drive. Seacliff 5, Northern 1 In the final stages Smith ended a Black and White attack by placing over, and the game, controlled by Mr W. P. Smith, ended: — Seacliff .. . . .. .. 5 goals. Northern .. .. .. .. 1 goal. Seacliff will now meet the winners of the Christchurch district in the final for the South Island. MORNINGTON v. HIGH SCHOOL OLD BOYS. This game took place on the hill team’s ground, and victory went to the School eleven by the odd goal in seven. .A tricky cross wind spoilt many promising movements. Both sides were evenly matched, but the visitors showed better combination throughout, and, settling down to the prevailing conditions more quickly, had much the better of the first spell. Mornington predominated in the second half, and with more'luck near goal’should have at least shared the points. The game commenced with a neat pass by Fleming to his partner, who ran the ball out. School attacked, Woods sending past the upright. The hill right wing attempted to get through, Duncan stopping the movement. A strong School attack saw Latimer shoot, and Groves nearly bustled Oastler over the line when in possession of the ball. Latimer again Itad a shot after Morris had headed clear. A Fleming slip to Schofield saw the latter cross for Young to shoot narrowly past. After two good shots by Duncan, Haldane cleared a dangerous cross from Chapman,

and at the School end Moon, who w-as playing strongly, sent nicely across for Young to shoot, the ball being deflected over by Sutherland. Another Black and White attack saw Boyd attempt a long drive at Oastler’s charge, after Moon had shouldered off Latimer when in a shooting position. Following fast end-to-end play, in which Chapman did good work Dunuan took a free kick, bringing Oastler to his knees to save. Immediately following, V, oods, on the School left wing, had a high lobbing- shot at goal which beat the tome Custodian. Old Boys 1, Morningtoh nil. Another reverse was in store tor the Blue and Blacks, for, after Halne hadcleared a dangerous cross from Woods. Chapman again beat Oastler with a nice drive from well out. Old Bovs 2, Mornington nil." Another School attack saw Donaldson clear by stopping Groves smartly. Unfortunately his partner, in attempting to kick well down, skied the ball, and the wind carried it over the goalie’s head. Old Boys 3, Mornington nil. Another miskick by the home left-back made Oastler rush out to meet Groves, who shot over the bar for a comer. At the other end a splendid pass from Fleming saw his partner shoot wildly over. Another Mornington attack enabled Moon to make a nice opening for Rutherford, who crossed smartly, Schofield slipping when about to connect in front of Hall. A bright touch by Fleming to the outside-right saw the School goalkeeper bring off a smart save. Half time sounded w-ith Marshall lying injured, and the score 3—nil in the Old Boys’ favour.

Mornington resumed the second spell w-ith 10 men, Donaldson moving up to the right-half position. Groves kicked off and Moon broke through, Boyd clearing in front of goal. Dunean and Chapman stopped two likely attacks by the home van, and the latter dribbled through Mornington s defence and drove a strong shot past Oastler. Old Boys 4, Morninyrton nil. At this stage Marshall resumed at right back, and Moon tried a long driving shot, a corner resulting. Schofield's kick was neatly headed into goal by Morris. Hall saving smartly. Handling in the penalty area by a School back escaped the referee’s notice and after midfield play, Moon sent across for Young to bustle the ball past Hall. Old Boys 4, Mornington 1. The score seemed, to hearten- 1 the home .team, who attacked strongly, two likely scoring opportunities being narrowly missed. Rutherford was unlucky -with a strong shot near goal, Hall saving at the post meritoriously. A ishot by Morris was blocked by a School back, and Donaldson met the rebound, and with a beautiful drive completely beat Old Boys’ smart custodian. - Old Boys 4, Mornington 2. An attack by the visitors’ forwards brought Oastler out of goal, to clear with a strong kick to the line. Morris stopped a tricky run by Woods by sending out to Rutherford, who drove for goal instead of crossing. During a series of strong Mornington attacks, Moon shot and Young missed a great scoring chance by slipping in front of goal. A breakaway by Hamilton and Latimer was coolly stopped by Marshall, and Y’oung drove narrowdy over the bar at the other end. Chapman and his halves were defending strongly, and Moon and Young were unlucky with several nice shots. A neat combined movement by Cameron -and Woods was repulsed by Donaldson, who let Fleming away. At Mornington’s end Johnstone stopped Latimer and after offside against Young, Moon, from about 30 yards out, baffled Hall with a good drive. Old Boys 4, Mornington 3. Once more School attacked and Oastler came out of goal to save from Groves. A great drive by Donaldson saw Hall anticipate nicely, but it looked as if he was over the goal line when he effected his save. The home halves and Moon were playing well, but Sutherland and Piekerill were not giving much away. After several fruitless attacks by the home for-wards full time was sounded shortly after Donaldson had shot narrowly past from a free kick. Mr J. Jeffries was referee, and the game resulted: High School Old Boys 4 goals. Mornington 3 goals. MAORI HILL v. TECHNICAL. Maori Hill met Technical Old Boys on the Oval and ran out victors by three goals to one. Hill lost the toss and face! a strong wind. brom the kick-off play went into Technical territory, and Lamont cleared with a hefty kick, Batcheior connecting, but a corner resulted, and Taylor opened up play to Oliver, who passed accurately to Carse, the winger testing Holden, who' was safe. Play moved up and down at a fast pace. Balk weaved his way through, but his parting shot was carried wide by the wind. Suttcliffe almost scored from close in, but his shot was deflected over the bar. Technical, with Batchelor prominent, rushed play to the Hili area, and Witchell had an unsuccessful shot at goal. Brown was at his best, and opened up play to Oliver, who sent hard across to Balk, the winger's cross being cleared by Anderson. Car o e snapped up quickly, and almost surprised Holden with a snap shot. Technical made a breakaway, and before Taylor cleared his goal Witched ivas in like a flash to beat Wills from close in. Technical 1, Maori Hil nil. This reverse spurred the Hill men, and with a fine combined movement had the Technical defence sorely troubled, relief coming when Carse shot over the bar. Shots by Balk, Oliver and Carse all went close, and Holden haa to save a great attempt from Thompson from well out. Hector sent his forwards away, and Wills made two good saves, and a goal kick brought relief. Balk was always dangerous, and Holden did well to clear on one occasion. Hill were having much the better of the exchanges, and with Vial off injured kept Technical penned in for some time, until Armishaw sent Batchelor away, but nothing came -of the movement. A great effort by the I Hill . forwards, in which all took part," ended when Lamont cleared in the face of a deadly rush. Browr was shooting -from- all angles, but the defence frustrated his attempts. Hill were doing well, and it was only sound defence that kept them out. Half time was called with play in midfield. Hill opened the second spell in whirlwind fashion, Brown making *an opening for Oliver, a corner resulting. Balk’s kick,-a beauty, was smartly snapped up by Carse, who beat Holden from close in. One all. With the scores even play

developed into a hard forward tussle and hung in midfield for some time until it p-as carried to the Hill goalmouth, but Brown set up an impregnable defence, and succeeded in clearing the danger. Technical came back again, but offside brought relief to the Hill team, who had also lost Suttcliffn through injury. Technical deturped to the attack, and the depleted Hi{[ tonik a trying time defending, grown a fid Taylor being prominent. Technical also lost Hector for a while, and Hill forced the pliQ' once more, Oliver being prominent with some peat work, but the stout defence held. ArmfsniW. alter nice play, curved Hill territory anden-J-Wills making the most brilliant save of the match, and Thompson rushing in to clear the danger. Wills again made a great save in the face of a Technical rush, and Sutteliffe, who had resumed, cleared, and Brown sent out to Carse, who shot the ball over to Balk, Holden making a great save. Shortly after Oliver shot right across the goal mouth, Bayne being out of position thus missing a good ciiar.ee. lloiaen had a busy time until Hector cleared, but Taylor sent the ball out to Carse, who flashed down the wing to send in a gieat shot that beat Holden all the way. It was a fine effort. Hill 2—l. Technical were by no means done yet, and Wills was again brilliant, and Thompson saved a certain goal by giving a corner A tussle took place, and a Technical forward hit the crossbar, the ball bouncing into play. Brown was brilliant at this stage, and but for his good play Technical must have scored. Vial had return d. and was in the centre position. From a Technical rush Balk snapped up a stray shot and raced down the side line, beating several players ami right from the touch line a beautiful shot had Holden well beaten. Hill 3—l. With 10 minutes to go Technical set up a

strong attack, but Taylor, who was at the top of his form, saved time and again. Witihell was very near through, but Wills came to the rescue and cleared to Brown, who lost the ball to Witcbell. but Thomp-' sou, coming up tpiickly. relieved the pressure. Tune was called shortly after and the game, in charge of Mr F. G. Smith, ended: — Maori Hill 3 goals. Technical 1 goal. IN OTHER CENTRES AUCKLAND. Tramurewa 2, Y.M.C.A7 1. New Lynn 2. North Shore nil. Ponsonby 3. Thistle 1. Onehunga 3, Celtic nil. WELLINGTON. Diamond 3, Seatoun 2. Hospital 3, Marist nil. Waterside I. Thistle 1. Petone 3, W.Y.M.I 1. Technical Old Boys 1, Institute 1. CHRISTCHURCH. Thistle 3, New Brighton 2. Technical 2, Western 1. Rangers 2, St. Albans nil.