Soccer Cup Tie

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 401, 9 July 1928, Page 6

Soccer Cup Tie

CHATHAM CUP KNOCKOUT Y.M.C.A. Wins by Odd Goal PATRONS of the Soccer code on Saturday were rewarded with a lively and close knock-out contest for the first round of the Chatham Cup competition, Y.M.C.A. passing into the next round after a gruelling game with Belmont. The newest aspirants to cup honours put up a splendid fight, with weather and surface conditions all against their type of play, being’ narrowly defeated by two goals to one. At Onehunga in wretched weather the home team advanced its championship position by the solitary goal scored against Northcote.

For a curtain-raiser, the junior ! championship between Glen Eden and the H.M.S. Philomel, provided an entertaining introduction to the big event, and the youths from the outer suburb gave a good display t>f clever football, which would have done credit to any senior team so handicapped by the heavy going. The Navy were superior in physique to the country team, but not so agile on the sticky surface, and many forceful offensives faded out in front of goal. Graham opened the scoring for the Greens after a neat thrust right from the kick-off. and the same player scored again just before half-time sounded. Navy tried hard to even matters, Black netting with a long drive, but Woods and Kay added further goals for Glen Eden to win by four goals to one, A LIVELY TUSSLE When the teams lined up for the Chatham Cup bout it was seen that Hick was a notable absentee in the Y.M. ranks, Mowat going to right-half and McAuslan from the juniors making a further change in the front line by partnering Goodman. Belmont tried Charles, late of Takanini, in the centre position of the forward line, and elected to start with a fresh easterly and driving rain in the players’ backs. The play was of a typical cup-tie nature, with more bustle than science in the play, and the ball worked from end to end at a surprising pace under the conditions prevailing. BELMONT’S MISSED OPPORTUNITIES The Claret and Blue brigade set up a determined attack and crumpled up the Y.M. defence temporarily. As the Belmont forwards swarmed hotly into the goal area a score seemed inevitable, but over-eagerness and excitement caused two easy chances to be missed from point-blank range, and Y.M. replied with a relieving rush which caused Chesney to concede two flagkicks in stopping dangerous shots. Hing-dong exchanges, with both goals in danger alternately, continued until half-time brought a welcome breather with the score-board still blank and the survivor still difficult to pick. YOUNG MEN TO THE FORE With the “breeze” and blinding rain at their backs the Young Men set ol'f in the second spell like young giants refreshed, and before the Belmont defenders had properly settled down a sudden rush left Grant in possession, and the Scot ran through on his own to drive a cleverly-placed shot past Chesney, who made a desperate dive to clear, and Y.M. held a useful lead. They continued to keep the pressure

up. but sound defence by Murphy and Follas, combined with Chesney’s smart clearances kept them out, and Hamil-

ton was nearly through at the other end for an equaliser. BELMONT EVENS MATTERS Flay became harder than ever with Belmont battling robustly to even matters, and not to be denied when Lithgow sent Adams and Trewliella away on the right for the wing man to cut in speedily and score with a brilliant cross-shot to the corner of the net which gave Baton no chance. It was now a grim struggle for the winning point, and, cheered on by a goodly crowd of enthusiasts for both sides in the shelter of the stand, the teams strained themselves to the limit for he knock-out point. Both custodians were called on for quick clearances under high pressure, and then Chalmers forced a corner kick which he landed among the group in the goal area, the ball came out to Malcolm, who promptly lobbed it into goal, where Chesney was obscured—and Y.M. was again one up. The Belmont colts played themselves right out to avert defeat, but Y.M. defended doggedly, and retained the odd-goal lead until “no side” was called. BELMONTS GREAT IMPROVEMENT The new recruits to senior Soccer slig»v themselves a vastly better side with the experience now gained, and after a series of narrow defeats the recent victories have inspired them with more confidence in themselves. The Belmont defence on Saturday was very sound, showing solid training work and a better understanding of tactics. Chesney was safe, and at times brilliant, in goal, while both Murphy and Follas were stunch de-

! fenders. Lithgow worked tirelessly .. centre-half breaking up attacks initiating offensives, with Noel Uen Bach on his wings constarr ‘ harrying and robbing the opposir-wing-forwards. The Belmont van Va< variable in its form, and with a bit o' luck might have established a us*lead in the first spell. Over-amjJz caused lost opportunities and the cob. ditions of play called for working i n closer range. Hamilton played a and clever game, and Trewhella’a go. was a great effort. Y.M. QUALIFY FOR NEXT ROUND The Y.M. supporters must have h*4 some anxious moments in the open, ing half when playing in the face of 1 cutting rainstorm, but the team bit! tied gallantly along and several sur! priso raids came within an ace c clicking. Pat on was at the top of hi* ; form in goal and brought off sea- ! thrilling saves. Otter revelled in th* loose going, and came to the rescii* | repeatedly with some hefty clearances j The half-line was not impressive, bet j stuck grimly to a hard task and Mal- : colm’s winning goal was the outcome of quick thinking and cool judgment. In the front line the opening goal of j Grant’s was a gem of individual resource, completed with a perfectly, placed shot. His play throughout w«j sound and unselfish, but his parttwwas good only in patches. Chalmer! was inclined to hang on too long and found X. Bach right on top ot hint most of the time, while Humphrey! was shadowed persistently by the tenacious Lithgow and given very lit. tlo freedom. Mr. E. Parkinson gave every satis, faction as referee, and kept well up m line with the play in spite of ligfc;. ning changes of venue over a treacherous surface. DISMAL MATCH AT ONEHUNGA The Manukau ground was unplea:, antly exposed to the full blast of a howling easterly gale with blinding rain squalls when Xorthcote m%t the home team in the second round of the championship series. Both sidet missed the valuable assistance of thl senior service men owing to the departure of the Dunedin, but Xorthcote has enrolled the enthusiastic naval veteran Doree. At the onset of the game a high centre by Rutherford from well out found the inside of the net, but after a goal was signalled an ap. peal disclosed a leak in the roof of the net through which the ball had passed,, and a goal kick was awarded. Soon afterwards Mellor broke through with a characteristic spun, and gave Lyon no chance with a *w:lt cross-shot, and this proved to be the only score in a somewhat dismal ganir. Both sides stuck at it manfully, and although both goals were threatened at intervals, Oneliunga held the upper hand without being able to penetrai' again the dogged defence of the men from across the Waitemata. Whoweil and Bentley were conspicuous in the home defence while Whimster and Gill were in the forefront of severk. fruitless raids. Lyon in goal save: cleverly on occasions and Thompson showed a lot of his former dash in his old-time possie at fullback.