Trams Triumph

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 709, 8 July 1929, Page 6

Trams Triumph

PONIES DROP TWO POINTS Close Soccer Finishes A RUNAWAY’ win over Celtic by S goals to on Saturday gives Tramways a lead on the championship ladder which is now difficult to overtake. The other three matches were very closely' and keenly contested, Jhistle being fortunate to beat Ponsonby by two goals to one after a hard battle, and Y.M.C.A. scraped home against. Shore at Devonport through the only goal scored. Belmont maintained its improved form by dividing the points with Onehunga in a livelv game which yielded two goals to each.

rpi-IE surface at F.landford Park had dried out splendidly after the heavy weather, the only faults being near the goal areas where the uneven surface caused the ball to bounce at unexpected angles, and made it difficult at times to avoid it hitting the players’ arms. As anticipated, the preliminary game was easily the better item of the double event. Thistle and Ponsonby being evenly matched and both buckling to with a will to win from start to finish. Ponies missed a chance of maintaining its close challenge to Trams for the top rung of the ladder, but were unlucky to lose, as they held a distinct advantage in territorial play and target practice at the Thistle goalkeeper. FIRST SPELL TO PONSONBY The Thistle left flank suffered from the absence of Hislop, and Kay was not the same dynamic factor in the inside berth that he is on the outer, but Rogers shaped well at inside-left fur Ponies, showing good ball control and quick thinking in tactical play. Ponsonby went for the bustling style from the kick-off and soon had the Thistle defence busy smothering up. Gerrard was in great form in the Scots’ goal and Thistle had to thank his brilliant display for its victory. Ponies had a chance of breaking the ice when a severe penalty for doubtful ‘ hands'’ against Hibbert was missed by Rogers after two attempts to shoot past the impregnable Gerrard. A rattling line run by Innes forced Hibbert to concede a corner, and from the ensuing play Rogers secured to present Archie Morrison with a “sitter,” which the colt slammed to the net. Thistle retaliated with occasional lively raids which were always dangerous, but Morrie Williams and Lyon were safe defenders, and Ponsonby returned to draw Gerrard out of position. The ball was sailing under the bar into the empty goal when Rowat fisted it out, and Dick sent the spot-kick wide of the post, Ponsonby turning round with only a one-goal lead, which was far from flattering. MORE PENALTY SHOTS The pace was a cracker on the restart, Ponsonby still showing out more in attacking movement than Thistle; but weakness in front of goal proved the Ponies’ undoing. After some fruitless raids Thistle shifted Kay to the outside position, and it

ful knockout blow on the face as th<* result of an accidental clash with Gavan. With its unbeaten record lead of four points, and with o’nlv three more games to come. Trams now appear certain to clean up the championship honours again. BELMONTS HARD BATTLE Casualties, sickness and defections have made Belmont’s path a very ha r ,j ono this season, but the young club has stuck at it pluckily and is now leaping the reward. Unfortunately its late run appears much too late to avert relegation to the senior R ranking next season, but the Old Boys are to be praised for their pertinacitv under difficulties which would have disheartened older players. After ac-

proved a matchwinning move Kay i soon broke away on his own, and Thistle was presented with a lucky penalty, which was handed to Kay for execution. 11 e drove a terrific shot straight to Lyon’s solarplexus, from which l it came straight back, and as the deflated goalie was K-flrd a first-time re-

slowly falling forward a first-time return blaze by Kay hit him on the chest, and the ball flew to safety while Lyon was given a sadly-needed supply of free air. A few minutes later Thistle pressed again, and Jock Morrison in clearing was adjudged guilty of “intentional” handling, and this time Chalmers made no mistake in netting the kick. A thrilling struggle for the lead followed and Kay broke away again. After being held up by J. Morrison he regained possession and found a hole in the defence to score with a smart snapshot, and Thistle landed the full points by the odd goal in three. PONIES’ LOST CHANCES Ponsonby lost its opportunity by failing to secure a commanding lead in the first spell, when it dominated the game, had the Thistle defence rattled, and the Scots’ front rank ineffective. But had shooting wasted many chances, and while Gerrard cleared brilliantly, he was fortunate that the ball often found him instead of Gerrard having to find the ball. Missing Jwo spot-kicks also meant two chances fired away. M. Williams was in good form at fullback, and Jock Morrison stuck doggedly to the elusive Kay. Both Ponsonby forward wings showed out well in midfield play, but lacked support in the centre where D. Stewart was too standoffish altogether, showing far too much respect for age and youth in the fullbacks, instead of hustling them for possession. Thistle played below recent form, and players appeared to be feeling the effects of a gruelling knockout bout with the robust lads of Xorthcote on the Wednesday evening. Neither the front line nor the defenders were at their best, and to Gerrard in goal must be handed the most credit for his club’s victory. CELTIC’S POOR SHOWING It was thought that the Celts’ weak display against Thistle the previous week was too bad to be true, as the green-and-white brigade had shown such good form against Ponsonby and Y.M., but the Trams combination made them appear a very poor senior team on Saturday. Celtic is unlucky to have lost McPhee so soon, although Hall put up a great defence in goal against the hail of shots which flew at him from all angles. The Celts had also to draw on the reserve of veterans, the evergreen Peter Kane and Morry Hayes, but neither of the old-timers was of much assistance against the onrush of the all-conquering Trammies. Wright at centre-half was the only defender to put up a stout resistance, and he tore into his task with extraordinary en-

ergy and endurance, but his I wild style got his side nowhere, and the persistent coj hesion and methodical team work of the transporters brought the fruitful crop of four goals in each spell, half of the eight coming from the sure - scoring toe of the volatile Spencer.

TWO CONSOLATION GOALS In the closing stages Trams put the brake on and eased up a bit, when the Celts came to life with a dying effort, an accurate long drive from the younger Grant catching Batty bending and bounding over his head, while Hunter dashed in and headed another above bis outstretched finger-tips to make the final score eight goals to two. The Trams combination was in fine fettle, the combined work of the right wing being outstanding in its triangular attack, but Stretton on tlie left has a tendency to lie offside. There was not a weak spot in the defence until Simpson received a pain-

counting for Shore the previous Saturday, Belmont journeyed half-way to meet Onehunga at Cornwall Park School, and was unlucky not to bring back the full issue of points. Only Zuill’s solid defence in Onehunga's goal beat Belmont for the win, as the claret and blues dominated the game in the second spell and Onehunga rarely got to the Belmont 18. The game was not a special display of skilled Soccer but was lively throughout. Onehunga scored first when “hands’* gave Moon an opportunity to net a penalty, and it was not until just on half-time that Belmont could pass Zuill when Austin equalised from a nice corner by Allen. In the second spell Belmont got a gift goal from alleged handling by Johnson, and the elder Stewart made no error about potting the spot-kick. Belmont kept up the pressure on Zuill, but without further success, and then Whims ter shot out of the ruck from a surprise raid, running through from neaurly half-way, to net from a solo effort and earn Onehunga a division ol' the points. SHORE DOWNED AGAIN Shore tried several changes in the firing line again in a desperate effort to lind some anxiously-sought goal scorers, but drew a blank as Y-M. managed to scramble home winners by a goal to nil after a tough struggle. In its last four games the Shore team has only netted the ball once, and unless forwards can be found capable of registering an occasional hit on the target the gaining of points is a hopeless task. Playing against the breeze. Shore had all the better of things in the first half, and could do everything but find the net. Even when Jay slammed one in from pointblank range after a melee in the Y.M. goal-mouth, the score was disallowed on account of Haycock being judged offside. Then Whiteley had to retire hurt, and half-time found the score-sheet blank. Play was even in the" second spell, but no score cam*; till Bartley, an ex-Shore junior, broke through and gained Y’oung Men the winning goal with a good cross-shot. Hilliard was too good for the Shor<" attackers and kept his goal intact till time sounded with Y.M. somewhat lucky winners. SENIOR B GAMES Philomel dropped another point at the Dock when Corinthians shared the division in a draw of two goals each. Manurewa surprised Bon Accord by * runaway victory of five goals to ml. and now seems assured of promotion Newmarket maintained its improved form by defeating Northcote 2-1. BROWN SHIELD CHALLENGE THE NORTH AUCKLAND TEAM The North Auckland team for the Brown Shield match at liuntly next Saturday against South Auckland will bo as follows:—Goal, W. Newton (Whangarei): backs, Caldwell (Wha* ngarei), W. Hellens (United Methodists); halves, Malcolm (United Methodists), Kodger, Pickering ( Ware)3 forwards, Jennings (Whangarei!. Hazel 1, Marshall, Ackers (Waro), Wilson (Whangarei).

ENGLISH TROPHY CHALLENGE WELLINGTON V. AUCKLAND Press Association WELLINGTON, Sunday. The Wellington Association football team to play Auckland is as follows:—* McKean, Gibb. Guest, J. N. McLeod. Campbell. Hanlon, R. McLeod, Rigby, Leslie, Smith. Craig. Reserve: Marsh* ment. TO PLAY AUCKLAND WELLINGTON SOCCER TEAM Press Association WELLINGTON, Sunday. The Wellington Association team to play Auckland is as follows:-' McKean. Gibb. Guest, J. X. McLeod. Campbell. Hanlon, R. McLeod, Rigt»Leslie, Smith, Craig. Reserve: Marsnment. NORTH AUCKLAND REPS. The North Auckland team South Auckland for the Brown at liuntly next Saturday is as folio r • Goal, W. Newton (Whangarei); Caldwell (Whangarei), W. bleh (United Methodists); halves, Maieoi. (United Methodists), Rodger. Pick * (Waro); forwards. Jennings roi). Hazell, Marshall, Ackers <***•'• Wilson (Whangarei).