SOCCER SIDELIGHTS PASSING NOTES

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 782, 1 October 1929, Page 13

SOCCER SIDELIGHTS PASSING NOTES

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Final Trop hy Game.— After another L U V ,0 4, lttem P fc by Wellington to lift the ~ • Trophy, the handsome piece of silversmith’s craft goes into cool storage hero for the fourth simmer in succession. Auckland lias yet to taste defeat at home or away in a match for 1 ♦ * > 2 ssess * on ' was most unfortunate that Otago’s challenge in mid-sea-son fell through owing to a misunderstanding about the Chatham Cup games, and that Canterbury’s request for a match in the middle of October was too late for the A.F.A. to guarantee the heavy expenses of the men of the 1 mins travelling here. Mr. Menzies made a sporting suggestion from the chair on Saturday evening, when he proposed that Auckland should takp the trophy South next winter and give all three southern centres an opportunity of playing for it on their own grounds. A Southern Move.—According to a Dunedin paper the Otago Football Association proposes to set up a subI committee for the purpose of considering the conditions governing English Trophy. Chatham Cup, Brown Shield and other fixtures which come under control of the New Zealand Council, with a view to making more definite arrangements for future seasons. The Otagans were very disappointed, after selecting a team and making all arrangements for players to travel to Auckland, to find a month’s postponement suggested at a few days’ notice, and then receive a request to revert to the original date. The whole trouble ?trose through the keen interest here in the Chatham Cup competition, which was almost entirely neglected in Otago, and in future seasons the New Zealand Council should definitely settle the interprovincial dates first, and then fit in other fixtures as convenient. As a consolation to Otago, if the touring plan is adopted. Auckland might let Otago liavo the first glimpse of the trophy; show it in Canterbury coming North, and then at Wellington; but there should be some reciprocal arrangements next year for “home and home” matches, otherwise Auckland will bo starved for star attractions next winter. Saturday’s Struggle.— lt was a happy sight on Saturday to sec the Blandford Dark Stadium so well filled. The great crowd saw the Auckland representatives at their best in the first 20 minutes, when some perfectly executed attacks landed the ball three times in the back of the Wellington net. There was general regret after the game that the victory had been “too easy,” and the form of Wellington was scarcely so good as. the advance notices proelaimed. Man for man, line for line, and team for team, the Auckland reps. were easily superior to the challengers, in fact, when it came to team work there was only one side in it, and the visitors showed none of the cohesive force which made the even draw between the two teams such a thrilling curtain to big Soccer last year. But if there was no super Soccer on Saturday, the crowd enjoyed two lively games, with enough thrills to satisfy the most critical. * • • • A Wise Selection. —The Auckland sole selector. Mr. Phil Neesham. has been 'the recipient of a host of congratulations on the manner in which his judgment has been justified during the four years he- has filled the thankless post, and the continued superiority of his elect over all-comers is liis greatest reward. Critics of the unthinking type have picked holes in his casting of the Auckland team at times, but nothing succeeds like success, and Mr. Xeesham’s quiet confidence in his choice has always been borne out by results. Apart from picking and placing his men, the Auckland selector is mentor.

trainer and conch to his side, and the unselfish manner in which each unit of the team fits into its machine-like action is tho secret of Auckland’s unbeaten record since Mr. Neesham took office. Efficient Refereeing.—ln addition to tho good Soccer display given on Saturday, a striking feature of both games was the splendid manner in which they were controlled by Messrs. E. G. Caton and J. "NY'. Pikesley, both naval men, whose departure tomorrow by the Diomede will mean a regrettable loss to the ranks of first-class referees. Ri both games there was a refreshing absence of whistle, and the irritating practice of pulling up a lively game for ti'ivial offences was entirely missBoth officials had a strenuous time keeping up with the ball, and must have covered a few miles in their travels, but they were always in line to pull up for offside or check any serious breach. Both officials have received the New Zealand badge and referee’s diploma, and carry away with them the good wishes of players and referees here. Adieu, Diomede!—The Diomede sails tomorrow for a long spell at Chatham during refitting and reconditioning, taking with her a large number of prominent Soccer players whose form has become familiar to followers of the gamo here. The best-known is Marine Miles, tho rotund all-rounder who played at both outside right and fullback for Ponsonby and Auckland before changing over to Philomel this year. Marine Gilmore was one of the mainstays of the Shore Club at centrehalf last season, and was sadly Tnissed on going to Philomel. Seaman Murch, of the Philomel, was the ship’s clever goalie, who may return some day with his Auckland bride. Tho Trams’ Club has shown its appreciation of the valuable assistance received from Messrs. Reid and Gilchrist by presenting them with souvenirs of their term here at a private party after a dinner on Saturday night. There is sure to be a big rally of Soccer enthusiasts on the wharf for a parting cheer and wishes of “Bon Voyage” when the cruiser pulls out tomorrow with all these good sports. • * * Ringing Down the Curtain. —The end of tho season clean-up is now proceeding at high pressure before tho curtain is rung down finally on the 1929 season. Tonight the final of tho senior cup will be staged when Y.M.C.A. plaj's Belmont in the floodlight, and on form the Young Men should easily annex tho trophy, and gain a well-earned reward for its good form and bad luck this season. On Thursday evening two senior B clubs meet in the semi-final of the Thistle Cup, and the clash between Manurewa and Bon Accord should provide a lively knock-out to decide the finalfst which will meet Thistle. The Falcon Cup ha 3 also yet to be finalised, and if Y.M.C.A. meets Trams, as seems likely, the knock-out for possession of the trophy should be a splendid wind-up to a strenuous season. Inter-House Soccer. —Following is tho draw for matches in the Auckland Football Association’s business houses competition to be played tomorrow: Takapuna v. Shell Oil Company, Blandford Park, 3.15 p.m., Mr. J. Ball; Power Board v. Auckland Milk Company, Blandford Park, 4.15 p.m., Mr. I>. J. Check; Hellabys v. Training College, Outer Domain No. 1, 4.15 p.m.. Mr. G. Pearson; Hotels v. Abels, Limited, Outer Domain No. 2, 4.15 p.m., Mr. H. G. Crocker; Farmers’ Trading Company v. Kents, Limited, Inner Domain, 4.15 p.m., Mr. C. E. Downes.