SOCCER FINALE

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 796, 17 October 1929, Page 13

SOCCER FINALE

MANUREW/ OUTS THISTLE , A STRENUOUS KNOCKOUT ! There was a large attendance at Blandford Park last evening to witness the final senior match of the soccer season, and the crowd was well rewarded by a strenuous knock-out for : possession of the Thistle Cup. Thistle ; led Manurewa by two goals to nil at ' half-time, but the junior club rallied strongly and equalised just on time, making extra time necessary. In the extra spells 'Rewa showed the stronger staying power and added two more goals to win comfortably by four goals to two. The teams were: Manurewa. —J. Williamson, A. Donaldson, Ross, Brown, Lees, Clark, Anderson, L. Williamson, Palmer, Hart, 1-1. Donaldson. Thistle. —Gerrard, Dorman, Hibbert, Carter, McCosh, H. Cumming, N. Gumming, Chalmers, Hamilton, Hislop, Kay. The Thistle machine was soon in motion and an early bombardment from N. Cumming, Hislop and Kay bad J. Williamson busy in ’Rewa’s goal, but the blacks retaliated strongly, and Palmer was nearly through when robbed by Hibbert in the nick of time. ’Rewa kept the pressure up and forced several corners, but failed to improve them, Gerrard clearing smartly under strong pressure. Kay burst away with a typical spurt, and was just about to shoot when his feet were taken from under him with a distinctly unorthodox tackle. Kay got his revenge by crashing the penalty kick into the net and put Thistle one up. Manurewa had a gift chance of evening matters when Hibbert was penalised for handling the ball, but M. Donaldson lifted the spot-shot and found the bar for Thistle to promptly clear the rebound. Good combined play by Thistle saw N. Cumming work his passage down the line, and then put a perfect centre across the goalmouth for Kay to come in at top and net his second goal. Half-time found Thistle flattered with the score at 2 goals to 0. Play was lively in the second spell, with Manurewa battling hard to score, but meeting with no luck in the parting shots, and Thistle was busy smothering up when the ball came out to Lees and he slammed back an unsaveable one which Gerrard never saw. This encouraged ’Rewa to renewed efforts, and Palmer disappointed by missing a brace of sitters from close in. Finally H. Donaldson broke away down the line and finished a speedy run with a long cross to Anderson on the opposite wing, who beat Gerrard with a fast rising shot, a volley of cheers greeting the equalising effort. Extra time was necessary to arrive at a decision, and Thistle was tiring quickly while Manurewa became more bustling and aggressive than ever. Hart cut through cleverly to give ’Rewa the lead for the first time, and

Anderson put the issue beyond doubt with a swerve shot which beat Gerrard completely. Manurewa ran out deserving Winner by four goals to two. Mr. .L. C. H Dawson, a vicepresident of the A.F.A., presented the trophies to the winning clubs of the season.

ELECTRIC HOCKEY The soccer match was preceded by an attractive game of hockey played under electric light for the first time in Auckland. The contestants were St. Luke’s and Somerville, a lively game ending in a draw of one goal each. Play was even throughout, Wotherspoon scoring for St. Luke’s in the first half from an opening by B. Williams. In the second half Somerville did most of the pressing, but found St. Luke’s defence very solid until the Watts brothers broke through for Eric to score the equalising goal.