Soccer Supremacy

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 781, 30 September 1929, Page 6

Soccer Supremacy

AUCKLAND RETAINS TROPHY

Close Naval Duel

THE final challenge match for the F.A. Trophy, which symbolises the Soccer premiership of the Dominion, was played at Blandford Park under ideal conditions in front of a record crowd on Saturday afternoon, when Auckland withstood a challenge by 'Wellington and showed its superiority in all departments of the game. Auckland led bv 3—6 at half-time, and ran out winner by four goals to two. A particularly bright curtain-raiser was the cruiser dnei between the Diomede and the Dunedin, which resulted in the latter winning narrowly by the odd goal in five.

The attendance was a record for an inter-provincial game, and has only been exceeded on the occasion of the Canadians’ visit. The weather was perfect for snappy football, and the crowd enjoyed the spring sunshine, while sheltered from the southerly breeze. Only three of the Wellington eleven had taken part in the previous bout. which was played when the ground was very heavy, and the challengers were quietly confident of lowering Auckland’s colours, thus spoiling its unbeaten record since the trophy games started four seasons ago. But the visitors found it just as hard a task on the hard ground as in the mud of the former match, and went down after a gallant struggle, by exactly the same decision of four goals to two. Auckland had made only one change in its representative team, with J. Morrison appearing at right-half in place of J. Tinkler, and the Ponsonby colt acquitted himself with the greatest credit in his first big game. AUCKLAND’S SUPERIORITY

While the Wellington players individually played a harder game than the previous team, there was less combination and team work on the side, and the rugged methods adopted in trying to smash Auckland’s cohesion were quite unsuccessful. There was a splendid understanding and interlocking right through the Auckland team, whereas Wellington appeared mostly as eleven units, and it was the combination of the home side which established a commanding lead early in the game, and only for a brief period toward the close did Wellington claim any territorial advantage. A DISAPPOINTING GAME

Although the game was crammed with thrills and exciting incidents, with plenty of hard bumps and never a dull moment, it was disappointing as a display of scientific Soccer. The fiery surface made the pace a cracker from the start, but it made the run of the ball very difficult for the backs to estimate in passing to the forwards, and many good openings were wasted by the speed of the passes beating the attackers, while a surface roughness frequently caused the fullbacks to falter through misjudging the “break ’ of the ball. Although the contest was hard and willing it was refreshingly free from foul tactics, and the only trifling stoppages were minor accidents when Barton got a knock over the eye. from which he soon recovered, and Dunsmoro was Avinded in a clash with Lambert, from which he also soon recovered. The big crowd was quite impartial and sporting in its appreciation of good play on either side, ana Wellington’s scoring efforts near the close were loudly cheered. The game was admirably controlled by Mr. J. W. Pikesley, R.N., who wisely applied the Nelson touch to many trivial breaches and excesses, but was prompt in stopping any dangerous play, and kept in close contact with the run of a lively ball during the 90 minutes it was flying from goal to goal. AUCKLAND’S EARLY LEAD

Both teams looked smart and busi-ness-like as they lined up in dazzling sunlight for complimentary cheers and camera shots, and appeared about evenly matched in age and physique. Dan Jones beat Campbell on the spin of the coin, but the choice of ends held but little advantage. Auckland showed out in the early exchanges, and Guest was conspicuous with some vigorous tackling and clearing. After Innes had placed a perfect corner, which went West, another dash by the Ponies’ express was finished with a baffling reverse movement and quick centre, which found Spencer on the spot for a finishing snapshot, and the first goal.

three quickly

The cheers had barely died down when the ball swung across to the right again for Innes to take it in liis stride and fly past the defence to send to the goal-mouth on the run, and Spencer was first in with a perfect oit of head work for the second score. Some exciting rallies followed, in which it was seen that Kay and Spencer were now closely shadowed, but Kay slipped away from his trailers to drive a swift left across the centre and Spencer timec its arrival with unerring accuracy It cut through and connect foh hit hat-trick putting the holders thre< goals up in les than 20 minutes.

From a spectacular point of view it

was, perhaps, unfortunate that the home side established so solid a lead thus early in the clash, as the blue and whites appeared to conserve their energy for a spell, but Wellington was unable to make much impression on the Auckland defence. Both Reid and Gerrard were safe at fullback, and Wellington’s “up-and-under” methods of attack were quickly converted into counter-offensives, half-time arriving with Auckland still three up and reserving its forces. WELLINGTON FOUR DOWN

Wellington put up some determined rushes on resuming, but there was no understanding between the attackers and the Auckland defenders were fully capable of stalling off individual efforts, while time was running on and the blacks still wanting three to even matters. To make matters worse a quick run through by Auckland’s right sent

he ball lobbing into Wellington’s goal area, where a friendly race between Kay and Spencer for it found Spencer the winner for his fourth and final goal of the Auckland tally. The home centre was right at the top of his form and his anticipation of scoring possibilities was uncannily accurate. CHALLENGERS’ DYING EFFORT There were visions then of Auckland avenging that ghastly 6—l defeat here of four years back, but Captain Campbell rallied his men in desperate style and they responded loyally, with no bog-pardons for their ~ thrustful methods. A drive through the centre saw McLeod connect for a first-timer, and the shot carried too much pace for Batty to clear, but another scrimmage in the Auckland goal area saw Condon miss a chance of again scoring by handling in the melee. Innes relieved

the pressure with some sparklin'- * along the right line, but offside nT' s tralised some Auckland attacks » j just before time sounded Campbell h?* a pot on his own from well out a low drive beating Batty on hi s mu. l and Wellington went down with black flag fluttering bravely.

AUCKLAND’S FINE COMBINATION There was not a weak link in th* Auckland team and the good un<W standing between the players paved r * way to victory in the early stae*" Batty was as safe as ever, while rY and Gerrax'd were too sure and edcq.t for the Wellington front line to»within close range. Both can be ex cused for occasional fluffing of return.' owing to the uneven, rough surface The half line worked splendidly with the front rank. Except for a tendency to over-kick with long passes, meant several fi*uitless chases, the shorter touches of the wing halves wei* cleverly worked and young Morrisofitted in well with his club captain" 1 nnes. Kftv

nines. Kay not permitted to repeat his success of the previoos g:une. and Jeffrey , shadowing vr is somew hat crude »• times. lanes wis the star wingeand play ws s wisely deflected more to his line. He was flying as fast at the finish as at the start, and led Lambert and Guest a lively dance. Spencer

opvncer was the hero of the game, with ideal judgment of positional play and finishing touches. Hislop and Dunsmore were tireless feeders in the inside berths and admirable links in the chain. THE VISITORS’ SIDE

Lack of combination was the challengers’ downfall, but there were some good individual touches throughout a gruelling game. McVean was brilliant in goal and had no hope of saving Spencer’s close-ups. Guest was spectacular in his clearances and strong in tackling, but his placements often lacked direction and were frequently returned with interest. Hopper had the thankless task of stopping Kay and did it well for the most par.. Campbell was outstanding in the Wellington side, both in defence and attack, and his final goal was easily th* best shot of the day. There was little understanding between the wing halves and tho forwards, and except for Bono speedy dashes by Barton and Craig or. the wings, the Wellington forward were not much in the picture. Lack or feeding made their task a hard on* % and tho line formation was somewha: ragged. THE CRUISER BATTLE The preliminary naval engagemer. was a tip-top appetiser, and in aonw respects a more enjoyable game than the big event. The men of the Diomede, who leave us shortly, were given a great cheer at the finish of a sparkling game in which the men of the Dunedin, who stay behind, won the closest of decisions by a single goal. The “Dio’s” side included Murcn, Miles and Gilmore, (all ex-Philomel.*, I and Reid, Rivers and Scott, who nave figured prominently in local club sides during their service here. The Dunedin narrowly missed daily | trouble when Scott failed to register ! a spot shot from a penalty, and i promptly retaliated by Tite ! away on the port side and swinging I in to finish a dashing solo stunt wiu a fierce drive to the rigging. Lute stopped a rush in midfield and tsorKeu through to make an opening Clark© in the centre, and the irrepw sible “Nobby” rammed a swift one past Murch. Diomede made some fierce attempts to make up leeway* Ml found Viney and Marr a stumhUW block, and the flagship made her tota. hits three to nil before the interval. In the second spell the Wwjede responded gallantly to loud and lons appeals from the terraces, and a cleve combined movement between and Dun ford brought its reward from the “bagwash” supporters when Punford scored. The cheers renewed when Rivers dribbled past tn* Dunedin opposition all on his own - reduce the deficit to a single pome but the blues held their lead to IM | finish of a hard-fought battle «*“ earned their jam for tea by the ! rowest of margins. While the tur© of so many fine exponents 01 ' I Soccer codo is a matter lor regre I there is consolation in the fact JJL such finished players as Viney, lu*«. Clarke. Wright, Tite and others ©f w* Dunedin are remaining on the sta for next season’s games. TEAMS ENTERTAINED After the match the Mayor, MfGeorgo Buildon, handed the Trophy back to Captain Dan , and expressed his pleasure at land retaining Its unbeaten record. the same time congratulating Wellington lads on their sporting enterprise and pluck in f o r a final challenge. He called » cheers for the winners and ‘[ os * which were heartily given o> Cr in*the evening both the and tho naval teams w-ere bv the Auckland F.A. at the T - Hotel. when Mr. Andrewchairman of the Auckland c Board, presided, and the toasts winning and losing slC l?L«sions interspersed with mutual expr of goodwill and congratulations. • T. M. Coleman (manager) and Mr. Campbell (captain) respondedl on half of the visitors, and the of the Wellington side was preseu with a wristlet watch. FLOODLIGHT GAMES Two floodlight matches will at Blandford Park this week. for and Y.M.C.A. will meet in the the Auckland Football Assocla. j senior cup tomorrow evening aha Thursday evening Bon Accord win Manurewa in the semi-final 1 ‘ Thistle Cup.