AUCKLAND WINS FIRST LEG OF ENGLISH TROPHY CONTEST

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 123, 15 August 1927, Page 7

AUCKLAND WINS FIRST LEG OF ENGLISH TROPHY CONTEST

HOME SIDE SUPERIOR IN SOFT GOING—A GAME OF MISSED CHANCES IN THE MUD

AUCKLAND won its first provincial game in the national contest for the English Football Association Trophy at Blandford Park on Saturday, and downed the Wellington representatives in a welter of slush where the local team was more at home than the visitors. There was a large attendance, and despite surface conditions an exciting game was witnessed in which Auckland always had the better of things, and finally triumphed by three goals to one. Auckland meets Otago at Dunedin on September 3, and Canterbury on September 10 at Christchurch, to complete engagements. With a little strengthening the local eleven now has a good chance of retaining the trophy.

JT was unfortunate for both teams that the first interprovincial match could not have been played on a good turf arena, but Blandford Park was the only place available, and a good sporting struggle, with some humorous interludes, rewarded the big crowd which was cheered by the well-de-served victory of the blue and whites. When Wellington last met Auckland here the visitors found similar conditions to Saturday, and ran all over Auckland to win by six goals to two, so that the local lads enjoyed their revenge on the Southerners. A COLONIAL COMBINATION An unusual feature about the Wellington team was the fact that of the 12 players who made the trip North, no fewer than 11 were New Zealand-born who had learned their soccer here, and it spea.ks highly for the growth of the code in the Empire City that so strong a local-made team could be found to represent the province. The veteran Gibb was the only “Homie” among the black and gold brigade, who showed an expert knowledge of the game which would have been seen to better advantage on a dry surface. AN OVERSEAS TEAM In contradistinction to Wellington the Auckland eleven contained the reverse ratio of players, Bob Innes being the only colonial-bred member supporting the 10 overseas-trained ones. Both teams looked very smart as they lined up for the preliminary exchange of compliments, but it was not long before the well-laundered appearance had faded, and a heavy shower at half-time caused the mud to fly. Auckland plodded through in great style, and were leading by the odd goal in three at half-time. A “CLEAN” GAME—TACTICALLY There was plenty of dash and go about the play until the closing stages, when both teams were feeling the strain ol' a gruelling game and were obviously iVng. The match was played in a good spirit throughout, and there were very few infringements of the rules. The only casualty was an accidental head-to-head clash between Carter, Auckland, and Dickinson, Wellington, which shook both sufferers considerably. The Auckland player was able to resume straightway, and Dickinson was only off for a short spell recovering. NUMEROUS MISSED CHANCES

It was only natural that conditions would bring about an epidemic of missed chances, but it would be most unfair to blame either attackers or defenders for blunders which would not have passed without comment in other circumstances, and in the matter of lost opportunities the winners suffered more than the losers. Had Auckland won by the 6 to 2 victory which Wellington achieved on its last visit here it would have about registered the superiority of the local men on the run of the play. They booted the ball about more freely and more accurately than the visitors, who made the fatal mistake of repeatedly attempting - short passes which pulled up dead and missed their objective. AUCKLAND’S GOOD FORM

In spite of the misgivings expressed as to Auckland’s ability to retain the trophy this year, the issue was never in doubt on Saturday, and the prospects of the plate remaining hejre are now much brighter. Reg. B.axter returns on AVednesday, and Murray Kay expects to be quite fit to travel

South at the end of the month; this pair should improve the local eleven both in defence and attack. Chalmers, from South Auckland, who filled Kay’s place on Saturday, proved a veritable "find" and fully justified the selector’s choice. The Waikato lad reproduced his fine form against the Canadians at Hamilton, being tricky and fasf in his dashes down the line, and centring the heavy ball in fine style. His goal was a neat solo effort, and well deserved the bit of luck which landed it in the net. THE AUCKLAND TEAM Carter, at right half, was the outstanding player of the Auckland side; in fact, of both teams. The ex-Wolver-hampton Wanderer gave a wonderful display in both attack and defence. He robbed the opposing forwards repeatedly and fed passes to Innes and Dunsmore with uncanny accuracy in his control of the ball. Innes shone out on the right wing and gave McGirr a strenuous time chasing him. The “Pony” flier again showed his liking for “soft” going, and frequently outpaced his partners, sending across strong centres with the inside men unable to get up in time to connect. Dunsmore was a useful partner for Innes, but Spencer took some time to settle down; he improved considerably in the second spell and slung the ball to his wings in good style. Christie and Jones worked hard in the half line, but were not able to send the forwards away with the same accurate placements which Carter was sending over. Still their defence was solid, and they broke up several attacking movements in good style. At fullback Reid and Ferguson were a safe pair, and did not hesitate to use the touch-line or concede a corner under pressure. Reid was the stronger defender of the two, but Ferguson made few mistakes behind Carter. Batty has been seen to better advantage in goal, but could not be blamed for faulting at times, nor for the only goal which passed him. THE VISITORS’ FORM Tarrant in goal for Wellington gave a fine display and brought off some brilliant saves. He had no hope with

the shots that scored, the last one being deflected by Gibb, who was never too certain at fullback. McGirr and Thomas were outstanding in the Wellington defence. The "All Black" played a great game at fullback, and had a number of lively tussles with Innes. McGirr also took a hand at attack when the situation became desperate, but his valiant attempts were unrewarded. Thomas, at centre-half,

was a very good pivot and struggled hard to stem the Auckland attacks while starting counter-offensives, but he failed to get much support from his wing halves and • had a strenuous afternoon’s work. WEAK WELLINGTON ATTACK Except for a few raids the visiting van was never very dangerous. Barton was responsible for some speedy dashes down the line, but he did not get much support from Dickinson after the inside right was dazed in the collision with Carter. Hamilton was largely responsible for the visitors’ only goal, but did not appreciate the muddy track. Anton at centre showed a correct idea of positional play, but the ball did not reach him often, and he missed some openings by "foundering" at the critical moment. At the same time one gained the impression that on good turf the Wellington line would be speedy and clever, but it failed to adapt itself to the long strong passing game which Auckland used so effectively at times. It was a relief to both teams when time sounded and the plastered players could rush for a clean-up. One Wellingtonian remarked that he had had an eyeful of the local headquarters, ana swallowed several samples of one of the worst grounds ho had ever tasted, but that may have only been parochial bitterness. WELLINGTON V OTAGO

The next inter-provincial Soccer game for the English Football Association trophy will be played at Wellington on Saturday next, when the home team will meet Otago. The team to represent Otago is:—Goal, McQuarrie; backs, Anderson and Scouler; halves, Cooper, Berry and Munsie; forwards, Simmonds, McHugh, Hooper, S. Duncan. McCormack and McLean.