Goals Galore

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 655, 6 May 1929, Page 6

Goals Galore

SATURDAY’S LIVELY SOCCER Trams and Ponies Unbeaten GOOD ground conditions on Saturday provided a prolific crop of 24 goals in four games, and the defenders had a busv day. Trams maintained its unbeaten record by three goals to'nil after a hard tussle with Oneliunga. and Thistle beat Celtic, 3 —l. At Devonport Shore was too good for Belmont, 4—2, and an unusually free-scoring game at Onehunga saw Ponies bolt away fioni oung .Men by seven goals to four.

r PHL new policy of the Control Board J- of sending the spare senior games to the outer environs, and concentrating public attention on headquarters, proved a. wise one on Saturday, as ideal weather saw more spectators at the Blandford Stadium than have been present for many a long Saturday. The big crowd was rewarded with two stirring exhibitions of clever Soccer, and there was an unusual volume of cheering during some thrilling passages. WHEN SCOT MEETS SCOT As was expected with the first clash between the two Scottish clubs, the game provided an excellent display of the short-passing game, and finished team work. In this phase Thistle held the advantage over the younger club, and with the assistance of the stalwarts, Reid and Giles, from the ilagship Dunedin. the black and white hoops held the force majeur over the green and whites, and were superior in both defence and attack. In the first half Kay seized a chance of slipping away unmarked. and left liis opponents behind to finish with a typical cross-shot, which had Hall guessing all the way. Later Kay set off on another streak for goal, but was brought down illegally by W. Grant, and McCosh slammed a regular piledriver to the net from a free kick 25 yards out. Celtic made some game attempts to score, and Poole was working through when fouled by Ferguson on the edge of the penalty area, but Gerrard cleverly saved the strong drive by Wright. On the restart Celtic pressed and ‘"hands” by Reid in the 18 saw Rimmer goal the spot kick, but a. clever combined run by Chalmers and Cumming on the right culminated in Cumming lobbing a perfect pass across to Kay, who whanged a first-timer into the net, and Thistle won 3-1. The presence of Reid strengthened Thistle’s half line, and Gerrard is a distinct find as a goalie. Ferguson was inclined to take unnecessary risks in his tackling, but the game was very clean and quiet. Thistle’s strength is still in its thrustful forward line, which wastes very few chances, and from now" out the former champions will take a lot of stopping. TRAMWAYS' WINNING RUN Although Onehunga had the welcome aid of Scott and Rivers, the Dunedin's star forwards, in the firing-line, the veteran Traramies proved too good for the Manukau men, but there was never a three-goal margin between the teams, and the transporters were lucky to win by so solid a margin. The game was fast and willing, with many exciting tussles, as both sides threw themselves into it with gusto. The Tramways’ goals were the result of more effective shooting when in the danger area, aided by a bit of luck, but some strong snapshots by Rivers, Whimster and Scott were only just off the target. Strong opening attacks by Trams were frustrated by clever clearances from Zuill, and then Rivers shaved the upright with a daisy-cutter which had Batty gone. First blood came to Trams when Tinkler drove a curly one from well out through a forest of heads, to find the corner of the net unsighted by Zuill. Lively raids by Scott on the left and Whimster on the right kept the Trammies’ backs busy, but counter raids by the transport men were nullified by Stretton getting ahead of the band, and being pulled up on occasions for offside. Just before halftime Spong sprinted down the line to the corner flag and squared to Spencer, waited opportunely by the goal post unmarked, and all he had to do was to tap it softly over the goal line. A DING-DONG GO

In the second spell Rivers went to centre, and the Onehunga attack was more effective. The large naval contingent present was solid for the Manukau-siders. Spencer drew the defence cleverly and sent a gift goal to Evan Williams, who was unattended, and drove true past Zuill. Then Tramways showed signs of flagging, and Onehunga set out to reduce the debit balance. The nava! pair and Whimster led some lively raids and bombarded Batty in the Trams citadel from lung and short range. Play was very willing at times, and some of the Tram defenders were inclined to mix it in repulsing the raiders. The smothering tactics of the leaders’ .backs proved very effective, and they kept their goal intact to the end of a rousing contest. Mr. Pikesley, R.K., proved an active and efficient referee with his prompt decisions and wise policy of letting a lively bout take its course. PONIES SCORE SEVEN

Tile jaunt of Ponsonby and Y.M.C.A. to Onehunga gave the local enthusiasts a remarkable scoring game, in which the Ponies maintained tneir unbeaten record by scoring no less than seven times, while Y.Ai. were by no means disgraced in finding the net on four occasions. As the score indicates, the attack proved too good for the defence throughout, and the brilliant team-work in both front lines found Ponsonby superior in its rangefinding. Young .Men missed Jlow'at and yiienkin in their defence, and Ponsonby also had to drop Balloch back to the half-line. It was a case of thrust and counter-thrust from start to finish. Stewart opened tor Ponies and Woods soon evened matters, there was a brief lull, then Woods narrowly missed heading another, and innes tore away to score from a solo stunt. Wilson put Ponies two up by rushing a partial clearance into the , Stewart made Ponies four, but Whaley reduced the margin to two b a spectacular shot. m the second half Wilson brought his bag up to two brace of goals, while Woods and McAuslan helped themselves to one apiece before the fireworks ceased. SHORE OUTPLAYS BELMONT There was a good attendance of local enthusiasts when the two Devonport clubs met on the cricket ground, and strong barracking from the rival sunpor.ers. Doth sides fielded a majority of young players, and play was fast and keen throughout. Belmont exploited the kick-and-rush. up-and-fi?^t e h=^t CUC H ATT - effectively in the first half, and held its own against the more scientific play of the Shore side Shore ran into a two-goal lead as the result of good combined forward work clev yr finishing shots by Dow fA'L W S bb: but Gerrir > headed past from a perfect corner kick by Cleal ana a 4 V\ wift breakaway by Clealf Adame and Allen gave the latter a chance tu equalise before half-time of l ?ai h Svf eCO T d s , pell the ’ solid defence A, aT e bac * s and helves proved “ 00<1 a for , B . p!mont ’ s uncontrolled raids. A combined rush by the Shore inside men ended in a melee, from

which Dow scored cleverly while thy, on the turf. Then Bush t^apDed n,, well-judged pass neatly and Chesney no chance of saving. Shore's front line of colts showed much better on the home ground has all the material for a strong ing combination when caught in nil mood. SENIOR B GAMES Rangers continued in a winning v .i. at Tamaki. defeating the home <si eL easily by 5-1. Philomel suffered first defeat when Corinthians provrt victorious on the dock ground bv ih« odd goal In seven. Newmarket sm. prised Birkcote on the Northern! ground by a 4-1 win. and at Cornwall Park a tough struggle saw Manured beat Bon Accord by a goal to nil