SOCCER PROSPECTS

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 175, 14 October 1927, Page 11

SOCCER PROSPECTS

Falcon Cup Semi-Finals

TWO KNOCKOUT CONTESTS TO-MORROW

TO-MORROW will see the semi-finals for the Falcon Cup staged at Blandford Park, when the finalists for this reason’s holders will be determined, and two cup ties of exceptional interest should be witnessed. The first eliminating game will be the knockout between Ponsonby and Onehunga at 1.45 p.m., followed by the match between Thistle and Tramways. Extra time will be played if necessary to determine the winners.

PONSONBY V. ONEHUNGA In the preliminary game the Chatham Cup winners will meet the Manu-kau-siders, and a lively struggle is certain. The “Ponies” put paid to the Onehmga account in the knockout for the Chatham trophy by the narrowest of margins after a hard tussle, and the West Coasters are looking to even matters >y surviving to-morrow’s ordeal. Onehmga showed good cup-tie form when it knocked out Y.M.C.A. in the previous round, and will be a tough proposition to-morrow. The team has only had one game in t'he last two months, and has freshened up a lot, while the “Ponies” have suffered several casualties from their strenuous bouts in the national trophy, and cannot turn out at full strength. Bell Is reported to have recovered from the Wellington injury, but Williams has gone amiss, and Pickett showed signs of lameness at the finish of the inter - house final during the week. Onehunga has a very solid defence, which Ponsonby will find hard to pierce, whilo Mellor takes a. lot of stopping on the wing. Ponsonby will have most of the old forward line in actio r, and will be the popular fancy for tie final round. THISTLE V. TRAMWAYS In the big game the champions will meet Trams for the first time in many weeks, and if the Corporation combination can maintain the form shown against Shore last Saturday, a mild surptise may result. In the first round the Northcote eleven held Thistle for the frst spell, but fell all to pieces in

the closing stages. Last week the Tramways showed a welcome return to something approaching last winter’s form, and apparently prefer a hard surface to the soft going. The Trammies are the present holders of the Falcon .Cup, and will not part with it without putting up a determined fight. It would be a consolation for the

green and blacks if the trophy is retained, as ill-luck seems to have dogged them Jill the season. Thistle is keen and hopeful of adding the knockout championship to the laurels already won, but has been showing very in-and-out form since the weather cleared, and recent performances have not impressed as the earlier ones did. Still, the Scots are a fine combination, and hare, to check if they gain an early advantage. Superiority i n science is often upset by bustling tactics in the rush and hustle of the knockout cup-ties, and Thistle’s hopes may be dashed tomorrow if Trams get in early.