SOCCER SURPRISES

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 28, 26 April 1927, Page 13

SOCCER SURPRISES

Scots Defeat Champions

ONEHUNGA’S DRAMATIC DEBUT

SATURDAY’S GAMES REVIEWED

After an early promise of ideal conditions for the opening day of the Soccer season on Saturday, the weather became threatening and play closed in a steady downpour. In spite of this, some good games were witnessed, the principal attraction at Blandford Park providing a splendid struggle as a result of which Thistle downed Tramways by two goals to one. In the first game Ponsonby narrowly defeated Navy by 3—-2. On ehunga celebrated their advent as seniors with a sensational win over Northcote by 6 goals to 4, while North Shore had an easy win from Y.M.C.A. with 4 goals to nil.

At Blandford Park the attendance above the average for last season, he stand being comfortably filled while a goodly number braved the elements in the open. The arena was •n excellent order at the outset and nicely carpeted with new grass, but the surface became treacherous as the rain Increased, while the greasy ball waJ not easy of control. The management was excellent and the games kept right up to time. Ponsonby v. Navy.—The honour of opening the season fell to Honton, who set the ball in motion for the Navy and the two teams soon settled down to a ding-dong game, which ended in ponsonby scoring the first goal, and although Navy equalised twice the Ponies headed them again just before time and won 3—2. The game was not a high-class display of the code, there being a marked absence of combined play, but some good flashes of individual effort were appreciated. For the winners. Jack in goal gave a safe display, and Williams was sound at full-back. Wright at centre-half defended well and made some nice openings for the forwards, where Innes on the wing, and Bell in the centre position were both in fine form. Bell secured two good goals by skilful play and was in the scramble for the third which Innes netted. The rep. 4ving man showed all his old dash and smart crossing, but displayed an early tendency to wander. The Navy was loudly cheered on making its re-entry into the senior championship. The team has plenty of speed and weight, but some of the recruits to the game lacked the experience which will come as the season progresses. Lawrence, at fullback, was solid in defence, tackling well and clearing in good style, while Gilmore at half-back showed good form in both defence and attack, his solo goal being a neat effort. The attacking line adopted bustling tactics, keeping the defence busy with their up-an-under” shock methods. Miles and Walker are a useful right wing, but the latter found the surface troublesome in the second spell. Thistle v. Trams.—The big game started at a great bat, both teams being fit and keen, and favouritism was about even with the crowd. The first spell was lively in the extreme, but in the second half the players eased down a lot. For the winners Zoull gave a good impression on his first appearance in goal and was unlucky in slipping when diving for the only shot which passed him. Reid and Ferguson were steady and strong in the back line. In the halves Christie was always conspicuous in the thick of the tussle, but Carter on the right stood out as the best half on the ground and gave a splendid display in spoiling the opposing forwards and feeding Cummings with perfect passes. The latter also caught the eye in his first game, and the neat manner in which he beat his opponents and swung across several lovely dropping centres proved’ him a front rank right wing man. Kay o« the opposite wing was electrical as usual, but spoilt many threatening movements by working too far down and paving to be satisfied with fruitless corners. Hislop was as sound as ever in his quiet

style, and Stewart manoeuvred neatly , to be on the spot when wanted for the finishing touch. But for Batty’s display in goal the Trammies’ loss would have been much heavier. McEUigott and Simpson defended gallantly throughout. McElligott repeatedly bottled up Kay, while Simpson played a dashing game in covering the faults of the half line. The weakness of the Corporation team was in the middle line. Tinkler never seemed at home as the centre pivot, and the services of Kissock were sadly missed. In the front line Spencer had an off day, and was too carefully nursed by Christie and Reid to have much show r of scoring. Bell and Davies were the better wing, but the whole side lack the cohesion and team work of last year. North Shore v. Y.M.C.A.—On its home ground the Shore team had a comfortable w'in by 4—o, Y.M.C.A. having to make several last minute changes which disorganised the team. The promoted colts on the Shore side, Mov/at, deal and Whitley all justified their inclusion, while the old players were in good condition and made things merry for the weakened Young Men. The backs had a quiet time with Jones, Baxter, and Mowat at their best in the half-line, while the forwards played with a dash and combination which overwhelmed the opposing defence. Jay and Woolley were a lively left-wing, and Woolley filled Dacre’s vacancy in splendid style. The Y.M. battled hard to keep the score down and defended stubbornly, but the forwards only tested Lipscombe once in the first half and on a few isolated occasions in the second. Onehunga v. Northcote.—Last week Onehunga celebrated its jubilee as a borough, and on Saturday the local club marked Its birthday as a senior soccer club by defeating Northcote in its opening game. Northcote, like Y.M., suffered from the loss of players and eleventh-hour defections, finding it difficult to field a cohesive eleven. In spite of threatening weather the local enthusiasts mustered in force, and were soon nearing hysterical point when their lads led by four goals to nil in the first quarter of an hour. The Onehunga forwards set off with an elan which swept the Blues off their feet and demoralised the defence. Cox, who made his first appeaarnce since Harbour Board disbanded, was the hero of the moment as he dashed through three times in succession tb beat Lyons with his “hat trick." He nearly notched the fourth, his shot glancing to Mellor, who nested. Northcote then rallied, Williams running down the line to beat McPhee and Tremain, scoring from a mix-up close in. In the second spell a penalty against Who well brought Northcote only one behind, but Cox made an opening and Scantle made the score 6 —4 at the finish. The Manukau team will have to be reckoned with in the competition, and Northcote look like having a lean season unless they strengthen their team. Flay throughout was more robust than scientific, and the players were inclined to get out of hand at times, but at the conclusion the losers were the first to congratulate the newcomers on their dramatic entry into the senior competition.