Soccer Season Ends

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 183, 24 October 1927, Page 6

Soccer Season Ends

Exciting Finish at Onehunga

TRAMS RETAIN FALCON TROPHY

THE final curtain was rung down on the Soccer season on Saturday at Onehunga with the final of the Falcon Cup between the home team and Tramways, the finishing game being easily the most thrilling one seen this season, with the issue in doubt till the last second, when Tramways were winners by the odd goal in three. An interesting curtainraiser was the first appearance of the Auckland Chinese in a match against Carlton, which was drawn with the score 2—2

FALCON CUP FINAL Tramways v. Onehunga.—A large crowd of some 2,000 lined the Onehunga recreation ground for a final glimpse of the round ball code, and was well rewarded for the journey out with one of the most exciting games witnessed this season. Owing to only a few hours’ notice having been given, the ground was on the rough side for first-class footwork, and the run of the ball was very erratic, but the heavy sward of grass took a lot of the jar out of the hard surface, and both teams went at it with willing enthu-

siasm, and never flagged once in a gruelling 90 minutes’ hard play. Although lively and vigorous, the game was remarkably clean, and rarely did the whistle stop play for foul tactics, and there were no casualties of any consequence until Scandle collided with the goal post in a melee during the last minute of the game. ONEHUNGA’S EARLY LEAD A fresh and cooling cross breeze was in favour of Onehunga in the first spell, and facing the sun was another disadvantage to Trams- Both teams fielded their full strength, Onehunga playing the same eleven as defeated Ponsonby, while Batty was back in goal again for Trams, and Fyfie filled the vacancy at wing-half. The pace was a cracker from the start, and both teams took turns in some rousing attacks, the ball travelling from goal to goal at lightning) speed. The defenders on both sides ' were safe, and after even exchanges a ; free to Onehunga gave them a strong attacking position in the Trams’ area, and Scandle cut in, to open the scoring with a hot one from close in. TRAMS TAKE A HAND Nettled by this reverse, the Trammies returned to even matters, and only clever saving by McPhee, with splendid clearing by Whowell and Mays, prevented the civic side from equalising. A long drive by Tinkler j had McPhee thinking, and Spencer j nearly headed in an accurate pass j from Sim, but the home team weathered the storm, and, cheered by the crowd, ran through again, for Mellor to miss a sitter at point-blank range. Trams countered with a strong offensive, and after Spencer had drawn the defence he slipped the ball out to Simm, who crashed in a terrific shot, which caught Mays on the side of the head as he was rising, and shot high into the net. giving McPhee no hope of saving, although he tipped the ball with a wonderful spring. - i A STERN STRUGGLE

The second spell was an even more strenuous struggle, and both sides played themselves right out to secure the winning point. The run of the play varied from goal to goal, and the battle swayed evenly between the elevens, with the spectators roused to a high pitch of excitement. In t}ie early stages Scandle crashed a fine shot on to the crossbar, and shaved the post with a hot one in a little attack, while at the other end Lewis and Spong worried McPhee with good attempts. For a while the corporation defenders seemed to falter somewhat, and Batty, in goal, was hotly pressed in several clearances, but over-anxiety caused the home team to miss some good openings, and the shooting on both sides was mostly wide of the objective. A swift rush by Onehunga got past the defence, and Lewis drew McPhee right out of goal, but Whowell recovered quickly, to intercept the centre, and beat Spencer for the ball. A FIGHTING FINISH A well-judged long pass by Bentley was fastened on to by Mellor, who

got in one of his rare lightning dashes.) and through to force a corner off Batty, but the home forwards failed to profit by a well-placed kick. The Tramways’ backs rallied splendidly, and from a long clearance by Simpson the ball went to Spencer, who looked like running clean through. until tackled from behind near the pen alt*.' area by Whowell. but Simms's free shot soared over the goaL THE WINNING GOAL There was every appearance of extra time being necessary to decide the destiny of the cup when Tinkler sent a nice pass out to Simm. The winger was unmarked, and. gathering the ball at top speed, ran down to centre, a swift low shot, which screwed out of McPhee’s hands, and Spencer was on the spot to bend low and bead past for the winning point. There was a strong appeal for offside, but the neutral linesmen and referee were unanimous in their decision, and Whowell was sfent off for questioning its accuracy. In the few minutes left Onehunga made a great rally, a lob from Bentley just rebounding from the bar, and Scandle was crushed against the post in nearly heading through. Time sounded with Tram ways still holders of the trophy, after a most thrilling tussle- Mr. Tuttle, as referee, had an exacting task, but kc>: a firm control of the game without unnecessary intervention. DEFENCE SUPERIOR TO ATTACK On both sides the weakness lay in the forward lines, and accurate shooting was spoilt by the hoofmarks made by cattle when the ground was soft, and the ball rebounded in weird directions at times. On territorial play Die advantage lay with Onehunga, and Trams’ first goal was a lucky ricochet off an opponent’s head. Onehunga missed the trophy through lost opportunities, but the Trammies put up a splendid defence, and are to be warmly congratulated on gaining the cup for

two seasons in succession. The outstanding players on both sides were the gdalies, fullbacks, and centrehalves. with little to choose between these opposing defenders. Fyfie, Spencer. and Simm were also prominent for Trams, while Scandle was about the best forward on the field.

Chinese v Carlton A large attendance, including a liberal sprinkling of Celestials, lined the ground to witness the first appearance of the local Chinese reps who met Carlton. The teams were; China.—G. M. Yew, T. Dung, S. T. Shin. G. \\ . Onkee, T. Doo, F. Ting Sik, Arthur Chan, Harry Sidnam, Alex Chan, X. Doo, F. Chung. Carlton.—Jackson, Chappell, Barber, Hallam, Allen Johnson, Cameron, R. Johnson, Dobell, Howell, Douglas. The Chinese turned out in a dapper style, with black and white striped jerseys, and black stockings with white tops. In physique the representatives of the East were nuggety and solid, but the Carlton Colts had the advantage of inches in heading the ball. The Chinese scored first when Norman Doo secured and netted amid Celestial smiles, but no vocal demonstration. Play was even for a while, the Chinese being nippy in trapping and passing the ball, but hesitant in tackling and weak in shooting. Douglas and Allen scored for Carlton, which led by the odd goal at half-time. In the second spell play was evenly divided. T. Doq equalising with a long shot, the game ended in a draw. Chinese .. . . 2 Carlton ...2