Soccer Knockout

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 171, 10 October 1927, Page 11

Soccer Knockout

FALCON CUP REPLAY Tramways Triumph over Shore CONDITIONS were ideal at Blandford Park on Saturday for the Cup tie replay between Tramways and Shore, but although play was lively it was not up to the standard expected, and a small attendance of spectators was disappointed by the display given. Shore failed to play un to form, but Tramways gave their best exhibition this season, although fortune favoured them in securing a win by the odd goal in five.

TRAMWAYS made some changes in A their usual team, and a notable one was the appearance of Batty at winghalf instead of in his accustomed place between the sticks. The Auckland custodian proved himself quite an adept in field play, and was loudly cheered when a long drive of his curled in to the top comer of the net, giving his side what proved to be the winning goal. The hard true surface and light ball were disconcerting to players, while a strong eddying wind from the bridge end in the first half also affected the flight of the ball. After lively exchanges in the first ten minutes, in which both goalies cleared under pressure, a nice combined dash by the Trams’ van ended in Sim sending across from the line to Harding, who tapped to Spencer for the centre to crash one of his old-time shots into the net for the first score. ERRATIC SHOOTING

Shore counter-attacked, but several strong attacks were spoilt by erratic shooting, the marksmen finding difficulty in keeping the ball down. Simpson was defending in fine style, and Razzle in goal was very safe in clearing. but narrowly escaped being caught with the ball on one occasion. Trams were not idle in making reprisals, but their shooting also was on the wild side, and Jones was keeping Spencer well marked in the centre. Play lacked sparkle and dash for the most part, there being very little team work or combination, and long exchanges between the backs usually found the ball out of bounds. A corner to Shore was dropped into the goal-mouth by Cleal and Jones narrowly missed heading in. A counter-raid by Trams saw the ball come out to Spong, who drove hard for goal from well out. Jones endeavoured to head clear, but only succeeded in deflecting the ball beyond Lipscombe’s reach. and Trams were two ahead. Shore woke up at this second reverse, and struggled hard to reduce the lead but the long-range attack was feeble, and it was not until in a loose forward rush Moore found the net just before half-time. BATTY SCORES A GOAL Play was quieter in the second spell, both teams taking matters very quietly. Shore displayed none of the youthful dash which had marked the earlier games of the season. Jones worked hard to rally the attack, but got very little support from his forwards, but entertained the spectators in some lively bouts with Spencer opposite him. Moore and Cleal got in some occasional flashes of bright play, but the raids were lacking in finish. Urged on by the harrackers both teams livened ud to-

uaii ilLlVcro LIUIII Lrd ll] ward the finish, i iwh, when a weak clearance by Shore came out to Batty, who slammed back a swerving shot, which the Shore defenders obscured, \ and the ball found I the net with cheers | for Batty. Shore tried iard j to recover, Brad- ' shaw and Woolley

narrowly missing, and then the ball •ame across for Moore to nip in and

headed in from a cross pass. In the dj'ing moments a melee in the Trams goal-mouth threatened to make the score even, but Simpson cleared and Tramways survived by three goals to two. TRAMWAYS RETURN TO FORM A pleasing feature of the game was the return to form of the Corporation club after a very unprofitable and disappointing season. Right through the team there was not a weak spot, and in 3K % s* & W X * X * XW

meeting Thistle in the next round the Green and Blacks have a good chance of retrieving their reputation. Puzzle in goal was a good substitute for Batty, but would improve by punching instead of fielding the ball when hard pressed. Simpson played a great game at fullback, keeping the Shore van at a distance and sending his own away with powerful long kicks. Porteous was a useful partner and seconded Simpson in good style. In the half line the whole trio were in good form, and held the Shore forwards well, Batty showing his versatility by a sound display at right half. In the front rank Sim and Lewis were speedy on the wings, but their centreing and shooting lacked accuracy. Spencer got in a lot of useful organising work, although carefully shadowed by Jones, attentions which he might have escaped by playing further up on the fullbacks. SHORE DISAPPOINTING

Shore was disappointing, an 3 fell much below form in every department. Gerrard was the best of the back division, and frequently extricated his side from difficulties. Jones worked the hardest of his side at centre half and gave Spencer no room for scoring much, but in this position the Shore captain has a fatal tendency to drop back into the goal-mouth and baulk his own custodian by interference. Renshaw gave a sterling display at winghalf, and was unlucky with some hard drives for goal, which narrowly missed the target. In the forward line Walters tried hard to pull the attack together, but lacked support. Moore was the lives! man in the front rank and deserved the two goals he.scored, He, too, lacked support, and Cleal did not display his usual dash.