ELECTRIC SOCCER

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 647, 26 April 1929, Page 8

ELECTRIC SOCCER

AUCKLAND V. H.M.S. DUNEDIN FOUR GOALS EACH The night Soccer innovation was well patronised on Wednesday night at Blandford Park, when over a thousand spectators enjoyed a mild evening watching a thrilling game between an Auckland representative eleven and the team of the flagship Dunedin. The lighting arrangements had been still further improved, and the picture as the game was carried at a furious pace from goal to goal was an unforgettable one. The colours were easily distinguishable, and the flight of the white ball could be followed perfectly by players and onlookers from any part of the ground. In fact, there was less mis-kicking and mis-timing than is seen in the ordinary daylight game. Jones apd Humphreys were unable to appear for Auckland, the vacancies being filled by Bush and Chalmers. The teams were: Dunedin.—Newnham, Trace, Viney, Wilks, Reed, Swinney, Barton, Milne, Rivers, Tite and Scott. Auckland. —Batty, McElligott, Reid, Tinkler, Christie, Bush, Chalmers. Innes, Spencer. Hislop and Kay. The naval men went off at a great burst, and the Auckland defence was hard pressed until after half-time, when the Dunedin had secured a substantial lead of three goals to nil, but Auckland made up leeway by improved combination and more accurate shooting, until it drew level amid loud cheers, which were re-echoed when Auckland took the lead by the odd goal in seven. A desperate rally by Navy in the closing stages brought an equalising goal, and a memorable game ended with the score even at four goals each. Navy’s first goal came as the result of a right flank breakaway by Tite and Scott, the whole of the front line continuing a sweeping movement which ran through the Auckland defence for Barton to score. Then the luck of the Navy held good, for Reid in difficulties passed back for Batty to clear, but the Auckland goalie was not there and Navy was two up at the interval. Showing superior team work and clever combination the sailors broke through again with a sweeping movement which ended in Milne netting.— 3-0. Then Auckland woke up and showed some of its true form. Two rousing raids saw Kay clear away and find the target, and then Christie slammed in a pile driver from long range which beat Newnham all the way, and a clever right-wing dash by Chalmers and Innes was finished in perfect fashion by Spencer heading the centre into the net and evening the score. Kay came into the floodlight again with another brilliant goal which gave Auckland the lead, but Tite took a centre from Barton on the full and crashed a first-timer past Batty to save tjie game.