Cup-Tie Soccer

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 413, 23 July 1928, Page 6

Cup-Tie Soccer

Corinthians Surprise Morthcote

Tramways Beat Belmont in Replay

THE Falcon ,C!up knock-outs were continued on Saturday, when Tramways eliminated Belmont in the first round replayed tie,, the veterans carrying too many guns for the youngsters. Corinthians knocked Northcote out by the odd goal in three after a hard tussle. At Devonport the Shore won easily from Manurewa by 6—l, but Metropolitan extended Ponsonby, being two goals down after a stiff resistance throughout a lively game.

Tramways were at full strength for the replay of the first round - draw with Belmont, Simpson returning to the back division after a sick spell, and Hopkins relieved Simm on the left wing. Belmont was seriously weakened by the absence of Murphy and Charles, while Lithgow was scarcely in a fit condition for a strenuous knockout, but led his lads gamely. The rearrangement of the Belmont team found Lithgow at fullback, “Ren” Bach at centre-half, with Mackay on his right wing and Nicholson on his left, ‘Noel Bach filling the vacancy at centre forward. BELMONT DISAPPOINTING As a result of the reshuffling the Belmont youths were unable to produce their fine form of recent games, and never seem to show their best at Blandford Park, where the Trammies are always to be met at the top of their form. The game was fhill of life and incident throughout, but was disappointing in the lack of finish shown in front of goal, and the number of scoring opportunities which went begging. It was good to note the splendid condition of the playing field, and the perfect surface after recent heavy rains.

Tramways held most of the territorial advantage in the opening half, but the Belmont defenders stuck dog-

gedly to their task and frustrated many threatening attacks until Trams came to light with a nice piece of team work. Christie secured the ball and worked clear to send a perfect pass out to Spong, and after a nippy line sprint the winger put an ideal centre into Belmont's goal, finding Spencer on the spot to head cleverly past Chesney. Belmont made some spasmodic sorties which nearly penetrated the Trammies’ defence, one being baulked by a foLil dangerously near the penalty area, while another found the right wing over-eager and offside, witli an open goal. The whistle sounded half-time with Trammies one up. , ~t TRAMS FORGE AHEAD For a brief spell in the second spasm Belmont looked likely to even matters,, but fortune w,as not kind to the claret-and-blues when Trewhella crashed a terrific low drive smack against the face of the upright, and then Allen tore in to slam a close-up shot straight to Batty’s safe gloves. After this streak of bad luck Belmont was never again in the picture much, and the Corporation club took command of the situation, only faulty finishing and erratic shooting preventing the goals from piling up. The Spong and Spencer combination led to a second goal when Spencer got a nice first-timer to a good centre, making amends for a spot kick which he had sent straight to Chesney a few minutes previously. Spong showed out again in a Speedy line run and another accurate centre to the goal area, where Davis got up smartly and banged into the net from point-blank range. In the closing stages Christie made a good opening with a strong drive into the danger zone, and clever close play between Tinkler and Spencer saw the latter compete his “hat trick” with a quick snap shot, which put Trains four Lip f©r a comfortable win.

TRAMWAYS’ STOUT DEFENCE The outstanding feature of the cupholders’ play was the solidity of the defence. Batty in goal had a few anxious moments but showed a keen sense of anticipation and judged his clearing movements admirably. Simpson put up a splendid game and took on the bustling Belmont forwards at their own style of strategy, with the result that the Belmont right attack was rarely dangerous. Although Tinkler moved up into the forward line the Trammies- half division was very sound in both defence and attack, Christie shining out in both places. Fyffie stuck closely to Hamilton, but was inclined to mix it at times with some doubtful footwork. Hopkins was disappointing at outside left and fired away some chances which would have been gifts for Simm in that position. The other four played clever Soccer, Spong being outstanding with his 'dashing flank attacks and well-judged crosses, while Spencer played well up between the backs to notch his neat

“hat trick”; he is still a bright oppor tunist whenever an opening offers. BELMONT’S WEAK POINTS

Seeing tbe Belmont eleven so disorganised and chopped about it was not surprising to find a falling-off in form. With Lithgow at fullback and N. Bach up centre forward, the half line was so weakened that it failed to check the Tramways’ van as the game wore on, and was ineffective in both defensive and offensive spheres. Consequently the fullbacks had a strenuous time stemming the onrush of the Trams, while the Belmont forwards languished for want of proper feeding, and had to fall back a lot to forage for the ball themselves. Chesney was safe in goal until the Trams crowded close in. Lithgow and Follas fought gamely at fullback, while R. Bach battled gallantly at centre-half. N. Bach was in a strange berth at centre-for-ward, and kept too far back in quest of the ball, instead of playing well up and waiting for his chances. Hamilton showed some expert touches and baffled the 'experienced Christie at times with his elusive footwork. Trewhella and Allen made valiant efforts which were worthy of reward, but no attacking line can shine at its best when not supplied with the ball. CORINTHIANS SHOCK NORTHCOTE In the curtain-raiser the Corinthians, a clever and lively jLinior combination, surprised the luckless Northcote eleven by putting “paid” to the ’Cotes’ Falcon Cup account. In olden days here Corinthians were a champion club, and it is pleasing to note that their revival has produced so promising a young team. Although the blues scored first the juniors rallied strongly and slung the ball about in free style to equalise before halftime. After some - exciting battling in the second spell, Nicol notched his second goal and thereby administered the knockout blow to Northcote. The strawberry suburb fought hard to avoid defeat and swarmed round the Corinthians’ goal, but the direction of the barrage was mostly faulty, and A. Jamieson in the whites’ goal put up a brilliant defence, worthy of any senior, until the whistle sounded with the junior club passing into, the semi-final, after an impressive performance, by the odd goal in three. PONSONBY OUTS METROPOLITAN

Ponsonby were without Morrie .Williams and Bell in meeting Metropolitan, but appeared to be easily strong enough to settle the junior aspirants. Metro, put up a strong opposition, and the senior championship leaders had to extend themselves fully before they could feel comfortable about passing on to the next round. But for wild shooting and lack of final thrust the Metros might have been through on more than one occasion in the opening half, and Watts was worried to clear under pressure on more than one occasion. Ultimately Wilson worked down on the Ponies’ left and let fly a cross-centre which Flashman misjudged, the ball going through his legs into the net. Metro, tried hard to catch up in the second spell, but found the volatile Miles a forceful check on their raids, and Innes made the knockout certain by producing “one out of the bag,” which flashed past Flashman and put Ponies into the semifinal by two goals to nil.

SHORE ELIMINATES MA^IUREWA In spite of the absence of Woolley, with un injured leg-, the Shore forwards proved too clever and speedy a handful for the Manurewans to hold at Devonport, and the country team went down by six goals to one after a bright display, which was not so onesided as the score might indicate. Shore tried about the eighth' candidate this season as goalkeeper, Staples from the Philomel acquitting himself very creditably in the position on his initial appearance. Shore forwards were plied beautifully with the ball, but Lees at centre-half put up a’ stubborn defence throughout, and would be an acquisition to any senior club. Renshaw at centre-forward fed both his wings judiciously, and incidentally helped himself to a useful “hat trick” in the way of goals. Both his wings worked well with the inside men, and a word of mention is due to Bush, who had played a strenuous game immediately before in the third di\ision, and showed some clever ball control in the senior van. Y.M.C.A. GOES TO WHANGAREI For the next round of the provincial ehmination matches, the Auckland 1 .M.C.A. have been unable to arrange terms for Hikurangi, the Northern Association finalists, to journey to town, and the Young Men will* meet the miners at Whangarei on August 4 \„ Probably the Auckland finalists will journey north on Friday, August 3, and play the knock-out in the forenoon next day, as this will avert the town team having to spend the weekend in the northern district. The winner of this bout will meet Pukemiro. the South Auckland finalists, and the survivor will contest the North Island premiership with Petone at Blandford Park.