AUCKLAND ON TOP

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 85, 7 October 1918, Page 2

AUCKLAND ON TOP

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

"Soccer" rules prevailed at Athletic' Park on Saturday afternoon,' when, in summer-like weather, teams representing Auckland and Wellington tried conclusions. It was by no means a brilliant exposition of the code, the game being tame, and, with one or two»exceptions, devoid of interest. .The result—2 goals to 1 in favour of Auckland—fairly rer presented the play, as the Northerners were always just that little bit better than the. local men. ■ Their, forwards combined "very much more freely and more skilfully than did the Wellington men, and the Auckland halves also overshadowed their opponents in the matter of feeding the forwards. In the first part of the game Wellington kept up the pressure, ' Wolstenholme, the Auckland goal-Keeper, being" tested on more than one occasion. Play-for the greater part was in the Auckland territory, and Marshall had a good chance to score, which he lost through overrunning the ball.. .Keeping up the attack, corner after corner was awarded to Welling-ton, and one, 'beautifully placed from the left wing, almost resulted in a score. The Auckland bright wing,, by pretty combined work, brought play to near the Wellington, goal,- and Wi Neera was^ beaten to his knees, and was rather lucky to save a hot shot from Harrison* Wellington returned to the attack, profiting a little, apparently, by adopting the tactics of their opponents, and a nice run, in which Auld, Marshall, Wilson, and M'Elligot were prominent, ended in the latter sending in a stinging shot which was saved by Wolstenbolme. From a corner-Lowe had a good chance of opening Wellington's' scoring account, but he kicked too high. A "moment later, at the other end of the field, Wi Neera was called upon to.save from a sharp crossshot by Williams, and the next incident of note was when Ballard, with only the Auckland goalkeeper to beat, shot wide. Wellington were decidedly weak in shooting, and many good opportunities of scoring were lost. . The Auckland forwards broke away, and Harrison kicked over the heads of the Wellington backs; Williams Taced after the ball, and, -with only Wi Neera to beat; sent the .Uall straight into the latter's hands. Wi. Neera was applauded for the save. Wellington came back to the attack, and just hefore the interval Ballard received a nice centre from Wilson, and scored. Irf the second half, the game became more lively. Wellington attacked, but 'were sent back by Skipwith. Dance got possession, and by tricky work beat the opposing backs and gave to Dacre, who had no' trouble in beating Wi Neera, and equalising -the scores.' After this, the Auckland citadel had a few narrow eacapes, and then the ball travelled up and down the field fairly fast. A long drop.ping- shot by Harrison was tipped over the bar by Wi Neera, but the resulting corner was fruitless. Then from a scramble in the Wellington goal the ball travelled on to , Dacre, who headed it back again into the goal,, mouth. The ball just touched Wilson's head, and glided into the net, givinar Auckland the lead. Fairly even play followea, a,nd on more than one occasion the Wellington .forwards had bad luck in not equalising the sec-res. The game ended with the scores: Auckland 2 Wellington ■. !' 1 Mr. C. F. Ward was the referee: