THE ROUND BALL

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Volume 59, Issue 101, 31 May 1930, Page 12

THE ROUND BALL

WITH THE SOCCER PLAYERS. LAST WEEK'S GAMES

Notes *'GoaIie"-

Y.M.C.A* V . WHAKATU. These teams met for the first time this season at Nelson Park, when a good game was witnessed -from start to finish. Both teams showed ehanges. Jack Lawrie kept goal for Whakatu instead of Wilson, the regular goalie, who was unfit to play. Devlin, from Hastirtgs Tlnited, who was transferred through _ the week, also made his appearance in a Whakatu jersey. Y.M. had W. Thompson at outside light, in place of Drurie, and Sweetings at left back, in place of Briggs. The game started at a fast pace, Y.M. having the advantage during the opeuing play, and clever worlc by J. Clark, who gave Vanaan some good openings, hut the outside left was very faulty in his sliooting. Whakatu took a turn and were always daugerous. in their raids, Learning at inside right being very clever and had hard luck in not scoring during one of th'eir raids. Marchant took Y.M. out of a tight' corner and -forced play to Whakatu' s end, when Y.M, got a few corners and \roung and J. Clark: had hard luck in not scoring, both lieading just over the bar. i End to end play followed. and both defenees were sound, Leicester and .Christison clearing them lines repeat- ; edly. The left back was very unfortunate in giving away a penalty kick for a handling infrihgement, and Moss was entrusted with the kick, shooting straight and true into the net. Lawrie, in goal, made a great attempt to save it, touching the ball in its passage. Shortly after wards Y.M. got a second goal, a long shot from .Vanaan being diverted into goal by Newdick, the right back. This roused Whakatu, and clever play by their forwards end' ed in H. Penman scoring a good goal, beating Thompson all the way. The secoml half started briskly, and H. Penman had less success than he deserved in. not levelling the score, as ne was past all opposition, excejpt the goalkeeper, but missed his kick — a lucky thing for Y.M. ' , At he other end Young and J. Clark had good tries for goals, but Lawrie was giving nothing away, his saving being oool and clever. Both teams were straining every nerve, Y.M. to increase their lead and Whakatu to draw Ievel. Halstead in centre failed very badly in gatheriug the ball, and seemed to be off form altogether. He had a great chance of scoring, but Lawrie, running out, blocked him. During a raid on Y.M.'s goal the ball was kicked clear, and coming to Clark, the centre half of Whakatu, he scored a good goal from ahout 20 yards out. Thompson touched it, but couldn't hold it, and the ball passed between his legs. - The paee now was faster and both teams playing good football, Devlin,

Penman and Leaning shining for Whakatu, while Young, Clark, Smith and Marchant were working hard for Y.M. The end came without any further scoring, the result being two goals each, which was the fairest result for a hard and even game. Mr E. Knight handled the game well. " ' UNITED V RANGERS. These teams met at Gornwall Park, Hastings. Rangers were handicapped . through not being able to field their best team, while United had their full strength, and at the end TJnited had an easy victory. I ani glad to see such a revival in the United camp, and also glad to heax of the good barmony among the players and officials, and hope to see them having a successful season. The Rangers seem to be unfortunate m getting a team to travel on account of some of their players not being able to get away. It is changed days for the Rangers, no doubt, for they were always a very enthusiaStic lot. During the first half of the game, play was very even, but United were the fifst to settle downj and .Tasker was kept husy in goal for a while. Rangers then took a turn, and Harry Shotton had Tbad luck in- not scoring. ' United again put on the pressure and Simmonds centring, Gilmour opened the scoring for United. Shortly afterwards Rangers equalised during a scrimmage in fronfc of goal. United then took the game iahand and V. Clark gave them the lead. Rangers' defence at this stage was kept husy. Play took a turn in Rangers' favour, but weak finishirig spoilt their movements. Goals -came for United soon afterwards, _ Brehant beating Tasker for possession and scoring, Rangers played up pluckily ^ after. this, and after good play by their forwards came within an ace of scoring^ but United'e defence was sound. United led out again and good play followed in which Simmonds and Grosvenor scored again for them. The result was 5 — 1 in their favour,! A NEW TEAM. A new team has heen formed at thg| Port, and are very enthusiastic. They are having praetice games daily during lunch hour at the ground outside the factory. They have arranged to play Y.M.-C.-A. on June 3, at .Nelson Park, and a good game sliould he witnessed. I Keard they will be all ready to enter the various competitions next season.There are quite a few promising players among them, and once they get settled down should do well. I hear they have the use of a piece of ground from the education authorities and the Port School Committee for their games. I wish them the best of lucki