CUP-TIE SOCCER

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 165, 3 October 1927, Page 11

CUP-TIE SOCCER

FALCON CUP KNOCKOUTS SPARKLING GAMES ON DRY~GROUNDS THE first; round of the Falcon Cup competition was played on Saturday, when all the senior clubs were in action again, and were favoured with a dry ball and firm surface until half-time. At Blandiord Park a good attendance saw Onehunga extinguish Y.M.C.A. by 2—o, and Thistle administer the “K. 0.” to Northcote by 6—l after an even first half. Shore was held up by Trams on the Domain, and in spite of extra time it was a “no-decision” game, 2—2, which must be replayed. Ponsonby had no difficulty in passing out a weakened Navy team at the Dock, s—l. ONEHUNGA V. Y.M.C.A.

pLANDFOKD PARK had dried up splendidly and rolled-out perfectly for the cup-tie competitions on Saturday, and as anticipated the curtainraiser provided a lively struggle for survival between the Manukau-aiders, and the Young Men. The "West Coa.st team had not had a game for nearly two months, and had freshened up a lot during the long spell. In fact, from the kick-off they were too fresh for the Young Men, who were disappointing, and failed entirely to produce the brilliant form of the previous week, when they defeated Thistle and were fancied by many as possible winners of the Falcon trophy. TYPICAL CUP-TIE GAME The game was by no means a display of first-class Soccer, but it was keen and willing, with the Onehunga defence proving too solid for the Y.M. forwards to penetrate. They had plenty of opportunities, but their raids into Onehunga territory lacked the final thrust which finds the net, and their long-range shooting was weak in direction and sting. The Onehunga van was satisfied to sling the ball about, and from a strong rush Gill sent hard in from close-up, Otter deflecting into the net in a desperate attempt to head clear. Hoban had to retire after a head-on collision with Whoweii for repairs to a cut scalp, and although he returned later his play was very subdued and affected the attacking line. The second spell was very much a repetition of the first, and from another forward rush Onehunga swarmed into the Y.M. goal-mouth to score again. The Young Men made some gallant attempts to retrieve the position, but failed to score, and Onehunga passed into the second round with a well-deserved victory. Whoweii, Mays and Bentley were oustanding in keeping Y.M.C.A. from scoring, but Meilor wa.s given very few chances of using his speed and scoring gifts. Otter and Riddells battled bravely for Y.M., but the forwards had an off-day and were disappointing. THISTLE OVERWHELMS NORTHCOTE In the second game both teams turned out at full strength, Hislop reappearing for the Scots after a long absence. The Blues went off at a great bat, and in a bustling raid broke through the Thistle defence for Tremain to open the scoring with a hard slam from close up. As play continued the ’Cotes were holding their own in lively exchanges, and their supporters were hopeful of seeing the Scots outed. The handicap of a goal down seemed to upset the Thistle combination, and over-anxiety to even matters spoilt many of the attempts to equalise. The ball was travelling up and down the field at lightning speed, but the defenders on both sides were smothering up cleverly. Nearing half-time luck came Thistle’s way, when McGarry handled foolishly near the penalty line, and Kay crashed the spot-kick into the net. THISTLE WAKES UP The start of the second half saw both teams tear off with determined efforts to secure a leading goal, and play was hard and fast. In an attempt to nip through Burford clashed heavily with Ferguson, both being laid out, but Ferguson recovered while Burford had to be carried to the stand for the rest of the game. The casualty seemed to take all the steam out of

the Northcote attack, and from a scrimmage in the Blue’s goal Stewart headed past Stott. THISTLE’S GREAT RALLY With a good lead Thistle settled clown to real team-work, and playing a man short the ’Coie’s defence • broke down badly. In spite of rain beginning to fall the Scots showed perfect ball control, and in the last 20 minutes ran clean through their opponents on four occasions, both Kay and Cummings on the opposite wings being conspicuous in some sparkling dashes along the line, with perfect finishing centres, and the champions ran out easy winners by six goals to one. Thistle was far from impressive in the first spell, and it was a lucky penalty which enabled the Scots to change ends with the score even. But the "Cote defence crumpled up badly under pressure, and in the final stages the crowd got a glimpse of Thistle at its best, with clever combination and irresistible dash. Kay, with his old partner Hislop back, was at his best in the second half, and N. Cummings was equally effective with some neat solo sprints and perfect dropping centres to the goal-mouth. Webb showed good form at half, and was right up to senior standard, while W. Cummings was a reliable deputy for Zuille. Northcote flattered its followers in the first half, with Burford and Hale prominent in the attack, while Hibbert and Taylor put in some great defensive work. But lack of stamina and the loss of a man upset things, and the team became demoralised toward the end. PONSONBY OUTS NAVY

The “Ponies’" journeyed across the * harbour to meet Navy on the depot ground, and had no difficulty in ad- , ministering the knockout to a sadly- . depleted service team. The luck of the . Navy was right out, as early in the j game Hall, at fullback, received a nasty x cut on the head and had to retire to the sick bay for repairs. The game was fast and willing, but the “Ponies’ ’’ team-work and individual excellence was too good for the Tars. Jenkins from the juniors showed good form for Ponsonby, and the prospects of the Chatham Cup winners settling all op- j position for the Falcon knockouts are * very bright. Navy missed some good chances of scoring, but the vanguard’s } shooting was erratic, and Lawrence on ] his own at fullback found the lively ] Pony forwards too much of a handful to keep out. Time was called with ; Navy outed by five goals to one. SHORE AND TRAMWAYS DRAW Neither team was at full strength for the fourth game on the Outer Domain, * and even after extra time had been played, no decisive result could be secured. The matdh was entirely spoilt , and finished in a fiasco owing to play getting right out of hand. The deci- ( sions of the referee, Mr. Kiddolls, . semed very difficult for both sides and , the spectators to follow. Matters came to a • climax w hen extra time started with the score at two all, and at the start of the third spell a deci- i sion of the referee was loudly queried by the Trammies. An altercation followed, in which Simpson and then Sim ' was sent to the side-line, and the rest of the Trams were inclined to accompany them, but wiser counsel prevailed. The game then degenerated into a farce, with the Trams defenders endeavouring. to kick the ball to Blandford Park or the ornamental ponds. Shore had a;ll the best of the game, but two goals disallowed and a dubious penalty against them lost any chance of getting the decision.