SOCCER

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 354, 15 May 1928, Page 14

SOCCER

HUNTLY Ideal weather conditions prevailed when Mr. Jack Bate sounded the opening of the contest between the old rivals, Huntly and Huntly Thistle, on Saturday. Poor forward work and good halfback play characterised the game, which was devoid of any interesting feature except the evenness of the contest, and should have been a draw but for Landon making a faulty handling which gave Thistle a goal and victory. Thistle’s centre-forward was weak, but he made some amends by putting the ball into the net to register a win for his side, whose halves played well, especially Hugh Stirling. Eddie Tate and Cuthbert kept up their ends well too. Man for man they were a better trio than Huntly, though individually Hunter played a lovely game for Huntly, but Deakin is inclined to ease up at times. Jock Tate played a rattling game, and the veteran was seen at his best. Blair is a promising player and well worth his place. Caldwell was reliable at fullback for the losers, but the same cannot be said of Hall, who seemingly never plays two games alike. Liddle was the pick of the front-rankers, but had very poor support, while A. Deakin had a day off, a most unusual thing for this player. Junction United versus Pukemiro was a match that created great interest, and when United led at half-time by two goals to nothing Puke, supporters looked down their noses and appeared uncomfortable, but in the second half they “went for the doctor,” and evened up the brace, making a draw of it. An interested spectator was Mr. George Cox, secretary of the South Auckland Association, who journeyed down from Hamilton to see how matters pertaining to Soccer were progressing in those parts. He was very welcome, for few men have done more for the spherical ball game in the , Waikato than the energetic sole selector.

Mr. James Wallace handled the siren, and did his job well, having to acknowledge two goals from Phil Hunter’s boot in the first half and one apiece for Pukemiro from Wilson and Healey in the second. The best of United’s backs was White at half; he was the outstanding player and is a decided acquisition to the new'.y-formed team. Black’s pla.y was also steady. In the forward line Bate and Dodds were conspicuous for good, consistent play. Rose, goalie for Pukemiro, was very safe and saved his side repeatedly. McCluckie and Wilson were the best of the vanguard, the latter being the better of the pair.