A Naval Occasion

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 775, 23 September 1929, Page 6

A Naval Occasion

THRIULING SOCCER ENCOUNTER Auckland Wins Narrowly AFTER au exciting and spectacular game under Ileal conditions at Blandford Park, the Auckland reps, snatched a narrow victory over the Squadron team In the arid goal in nine in an exciting finish, after being two goals down. I u the Falcon Cup, Bon Accord knocked out North Share I—o. and Manurewa claimed another senior scalp by outing Celtic in the Thistle Cup. 4—l.

The stadium was in perfect order ! for lively football, but the service side i did not appear to the same advantage with a hard surface and light ball, nor did the sailors appear so hard trained as before the departure of the squadron for its victorious trip to Australia, where it ran through the opposition undefeated. Injuries and sickness made it ditticult for the Auckland selector to assemble a fully-representative side, but it was gratifying to note the good form shown by the new colts against such redoubtable opponents, and the team was just strong enough to retain Auckland’s unbeaten record of live seasons’ standing, although the win was by the narrowest of margins. As most of the naval men were making their last appearance before the Diomede sails for England on October 1. they were given a great reception on lining out. and the good crowd of spectators was impartial in cheering clever play on both sides. The defence of both teams was under high pressure the opposing forwards tore into the attack without letting un. When Navy led by 4 goals to 2 just on half-time a popular win for the “lily-whites” seemed more than probable. But the local representatives rallied strongly in the second spell and by solid defence kept the Navy | from adding to the tally, while by ! determined thrusts the Auckland forwards twice pierced the naval defence to snatch the game out of the fire. GOALS COME QUICKLY There was no time wasted in testing each other’s strength, and Auckland led off with a hot offensive. Gill soon being busy clearing a hot bombardment of the naval citadel: but the seige was raised and Miln tore down the right to centre for Clark to drive a sizzling hot shot past Zuill. Auckland countered strongly, and Balloch let Kay away on a dazzling run ending with a hot first-time shot which Gill pushed out from under the bar only for Humphreys to follow in fast and even matters smartly. Auckland kept the pressure going and gained the lead when Christie sent through to Spong, who drew’ the defence and in-passed for Bell to nip through and net. NAVY TAKES THE LEAD This quick double reverse roused Navy and they set up a prolonged offensive which had the Auckland defence hard pressed and showing signs of cracking, Clark. Durnford and . Tite all breaking through and finding the net with hot shots and good head work. A welcome revival by Auckland found Kay force a corner, which he placed in the goal-mouth, and after a mix-up Humphreys reduced the leeway to the odd goal down at halftime. Plav was not quite so furious on resumption, but there were no dull moments and the light bail was dying fast and freely on the hard ground. The Auckland forwards were enjoying the change from the mud of the midseason and s\yung the ball about with gusto and well-judged placements. Kay managed to elude his shadowers and slipped away twice, the first attempt narrowly missing a connection with Bell’s belfrey. and then the crack shot crashed one across from an acute angle which cannoned off Gill to the net and made the score all square There was then a thrilling l'ally l'or the lead, attack and counter-offensives following at a lively pace, and Auckland pulled the match out of the fire when Spong broke through and lobbed into the goal area, where Bell secured in a hot melee and settled the issue. Royal Navy went all out to eaualise, and Zuill was clearing a hot barrage of shots cleverly when time sounded. PROMISING YOUNG REPS. Zuill gave a good performance in goal in the second half when he kept his charge intact by clever clearances. Mowat again showed out as one of the most promising backs in Auckland, and although Lornie had a tough wing to handle in Miln and Wright he came through the ordeal with credit for a last minute recruit. Balloch made a surprisingly good show at half, and impressed the critics as a future rep. with his nippy tackling and sound placing to his forwards. Jock Morrison at right-half justified his selection for the big game with Wellington on Saturday, and Christie came well out of some hard tussles with Clark and Reid in the central berths. Kay was closely marked in the forward line, and Bell with his rugged individual work shone out most in the Auckland attack and was very effective near goal, while Humphries worked hard in the centre. Gill was a solid defender in the naval goal, but showed a dangerous tendency to overcarrv at times, and Yiney stuck well to his task of watching Kay. Reid has never been seen to better advantage when the turf and the ball were heavier, but Luke, the naval captain, was the best half of the day’. Clark again proved a dangerous customer and splendid shot when within range, while Miln on the right wing and Tite at inside-left were always harassing the Auckland backs. FALCON CUP KNOCK-OUT After the hard draw with extra time the previous Saturday the Bon AccordShore bout was expected to provide a lively curtain-raiser to the big game, but both sides seemed to suffer from stage-fright or nerves, and failed to get to grips with any enthusiasm, it was only the second appearance of Shore at headquarters for the whole season, and on neither occasion have the black and golds shaped like a senior eleven, or shown any of the pace, skill and dash that was alwavs associated with the club in former days. For the most part the game was of the battledore and shuttlecock variety and a dull exchange of long kicking with nothing, but plenty of room, between the two sides. The forwards were very listless and feeble in their attacks, and the defenders on either side had plenty of time to clear without being bustled. The only goal came when a soft lob from Corbett caught Colebourne on the back of the head as he attempted to head clear and was deflected past Wise to score. A dull second spell saw no further score and the Bon Accordians passed to tli© semi-final. Reid and Corbett snonc out in the winners’ defence, but rthe forwards were a poor lot and Hall ■aid not appear to be in good condition lor a hard knock-out. Gerrard jand Jones worked hard to save | from a heavier defeat, but the other

defenders were not up to son or star, dard and the forwards never lookld dangerous. MANUREWA'S WINNING WAYS Celtic was the latest senior victim to the junior champion's run of knock out wins on Saturday when thl Southern suburb caused the Celts to exit from the Thistle Cup bv the suh stantial score of four goals to ‘or.e Celtic turned up with a decimated team, but bad plenty of time io rush for reinforcements as no referee had turned up. and it was nearly an hour after the proper starting time that Mr A. K. Parkinson luckily happened to blow along as a spectator and agrt~,i to officiate. The skeleton Celtic sida was no match for the hustling voun--sters, but after being kept at hay for half an hour Slanurewa secured two goals to uil before the interval, H Donaldson and Hart finding the* net Matters became lively in the second spell, a hard shot by Hart piercing tho net and causing a hot argument before it was allowed. Celtic scored its only point from a penalty, and after A. Donaldson had missed a spot kick at Celtic's goal the final pout came from Hawkes for Manurewa to win comfortably and qualify for tae final. F.A. TROPHY MATCH WELLINGTON AND AUCKLAND TEAMS SELECTED Following are the teams for the English F.A. trophy match, Auckland v Wellington, which will bo played at Bland ford Park next Saturday: Wellington.—P. MeVean, goal; A. Hopper, right back; J. Guest, left back; E.. Jeffery, right half; J. Campbell (captain) centre half; P. Lambert, left half; e’ Barton, right wing. J. Rigby, inside right; A. McLeod, centre forward: J. Smith’ inside left; Dr. Craig, left wing. Reserve: J. McLeod. Auckland.—Hatty (Tramways), Gerrard (North Shore*, Reid (Bon Accord), Morrison (Ponsonbv), Christie (Tramways), Jones (North Shore). Innes (Ponsonby), Dunsmore (Bon Accord). Spencer (Tramways). Hislop, Kay (Thistle). CANTERBURY-OTAGO SOCCER MATCH AT CHRISTCHURCH Press Association CHRISTCHURCH, Saturday. Tho Canterbury and Otago Association football representatives played the last match of the season today. In the first spell Canterbury had the wind and sun behind it, but Otago had most of the play, scoring the only goal of the spell, a fast rising shot by Mitchell, which gave Sullivan no chance. In the second spell Otago was unlucky to be penalised for handling by Morris. Trotter took the kick and shot a safe goal into the corner of the net, making the scores one-all. An Otago raid saw the home men penalised close in, but Sullivan saved the shot at pointblank range. The last goal of the match was a close-in shot by McHugh. which Sullivan stopped. but which he failed to gather in. The final score was:—Otago, 2; Canterbury, 1.