ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 208, 2 September 1926, Page 13

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

CHATHAM CUP FINAL TIE. NEW LEAGUE PROPOSER The semi-final of the Falcon Cup notwithstanding, much of the interest of Soccerites locally on Saturday will centre in the meeting of North Shore and Sunnyside at Wellington in the final tie for the Chatham Cup. Shore's team will not be as strong as it has been in the earlier part of the season, and it is a pity that some of their leading men have had to give way to injuries. That, of course, is always in the game. The Aucklanders have nevertheless a great reputation for cup-tie fighting, and if they can rise to the occasion as they did on Saturday last there is yet a hope that the A.F.A. may again possess all the premierships in the Soccer realm. The Business Houses competition was carried another stage further yesterday when three games were played on Victoria Park in delightful weather, and before a surprising number of spectators. The fixtures produced two very keen and closely contested games. Power Board had a strenuous struggle with Milne and Choyce, and succeeded in claiming the points by the only goal scored. The play was fast throughout, but a weakness in finishing militated against scoring. Tramways and Winstones had a real ding-dong game, which ended in a draw of one goal each. Farmers proved too much for Abels, Ltd.. and ran out winners by a four-goal lead. In view of the forthcoming rep. match with a team from the junior grade of the A.F.A., the business teams are showing at their best. There are some very promising players, and as it has been decided that players who have taken part in a senior game this season shall be ineligible for a place, a fair chance will be given men of less experience. The players have been closely watched these last two weeks, and it is likely that by this time next week the selection will be narrowed down to fourteen or fifteen probables. A close race is being run between Spencer of Tramways and Humphreys of Y.M. for the senior goal-scoring record of the season. In competition games only up to the present time the Tramways centre has sixteen goals to his credit, while Humphreys is only two behind. Both players have been consistent and keen in their play and have not been absent from their side on one occasion. Bell, of Northcote, is third on the list with nine to his credit. Northern Suburbs League. A proposal is on foot, and is receiving liberal support, to form, next season, a Northern Suburbs League. If this is realised it will certainly relieve the A.F.A. of a task which has been a bone of contention for many seasons. It has'always been a matter of great difficulty to make suitable arrangements for teams travelling to the out-lyinc districts, especially in that part, of the season when early starts are neco3saTy. If the proposal mentioned becomes an actual fact, it is likely that third grade and downward will be played. Teams would. be likely to enter from Henderson, Waitakere, Glen Eden, New Lynn, Avondale, Swanson, and Hobsonville, where there are already teams, though they are not all actively engaged. A competition between such clubs would be an easy matter so far as organisation is concerned, and the travel ling would never exceed 10 miles by good road. • There is no lack of playing accommodation, as practically all the clubs have a ground. The League could be affiliated to the A.F.A. in the same manner as is, say, the J.M.C., and the fact of a competition being commenced and a subordinate body formed for the purpose of control would give the game a great impetus in the wide district mentioned. At present Mr. Roland Wood of the Swanson Club has the matter in and there is every likelihood that a definite step will be taken in the near future. PRIMARY SCHOOL SOCCER. The A.F.A. at its usual meeting on Tuesday heard a good deal about primary school Soccer, and the reports tend to show that in the lowest grades there is being made a serious and hopeful attempt to firmly establish the game. Several obstacles have yet to be got over, and a classic example' is that opposition, quite unfair and seemingly unjustified, which is meeting the efforts of the enthusiasts at Northcote. The New Zealand Council certainly has a duty to take up with the heads of the Education Department such instances of unfounded prejudice. A wise decision was made in the formation of a North and a South Island Association. In the past there may not have been that harmony between North and South which makes for betterment, and if the proposal is carried out—that is to have the two island champions meet as a curtain-raiser to the Chatham Cup—the game will profit much more than it will lose. The whole question of school football requires overhauling, and the time has come when it ought to be controlled fey an independent body. The resolution which was placed before the A.F.A. regarding the treatment of players who nave been dealt with for infringements is difficult to understand. On the face of it there is the likelihood that when a boy is suspended by the J.M.C. and the suspension is upheld by the A.F.A., he is then handed over to the tender mercies of the headmaster of his school. « appears as though the small offender is to be tried and sentenced twice for Jus indiscretion. What is there to be gained by the lad appearing before his school master for something that does not concern the school? Nothing that is outside the jurisdiction of the school should involve a boy in trouble by his sohoolmaster. Then again there is noth"»g to prevent on the face of it a schoolmaster amending the sentence or paying no attention to it. The whole position Iβ so involved, in fact, that no time should be lost in clearing the atmosphere and coming to some definite understanding as to the intention and purpose of the proposed resolution. It was insufficiently discussed on Tuesday.