ASSOCIATION

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 127, 30 May 1914, Page 14

ASSOCIATION

(By " Vanguard." ) CORINTHIAN'S WIN. It is a pity that there was not a larger attendance of the public at Kilbirnie Park on Saturday to witness the Corin-thian-Diamond fixture. It was such a real good go from start to finish that it ought not to ha.ye been missed by any football enthusiast. Corinthian went on to the ground evidently out for a win, and they are such a big, strong, tall, and clever team that, judging by tbeir past^ they ought to have had an easy win against Diamonds. They won, but they had to work for it, and the wearers of the_ black jerseys left the field without a stain on their football characters. They played the hardest game winch bas been placed to their credit for at least a couple of seasons. Corinthian retorted in kind, and, with the exception of one regrettable incident nearly at the end of the' second spell, the match was played in a good spirit, though I must confess to the opinion that some of tbo Corinthian players have a tendency to play the- man rather than tbe ball. Pejj sonally, I don't think they do it in any spirit of malice, but from the fact that they are so keen on winning that the desire to score overcomes their footballplaying aspirations. I think, also, that if they went in for more football, and made more use of their undoubted skill and their manifest size and weight, they would score with far less trouble to themselves, and at tbe same time give a far better exposition of the game. Anyway, the game was the best dash seen in Wellington for m'a,ny a long day, and both teams deserve the highest credit, PETONE'S FIRST GAME. It is somo years since Petone has been represented by a senior Association eleven. Rugby has had such a. hold upon the town that Association up to senior standard has not been able to got a footing. However, a few enthusiasts have kept the game going, with the result that Petone were able last Saturday to place a senior eleven in the field to do battle against Swifts. At pre- | sent, Petone are badly off as far at grounds are concerned, and those available have- little or no dressing accommodation. It is hoped that the Petone Council will in the near future erect the long promised shed for the grounds over the "stop-bank," and make playing there possible in. all weathers. As to the game, Petone managed to draw with Swifts, a result which, on the day's play, fairly represents their respective merits. Swifts were strongest in the back division, Taylor and Balks controlling the greasy ball well. H. Guise was the best in the half-line, and kept bis brother busy on the left-wing. The latter stood out among the forwards as easily the best. He is fash, and at the same time controls the ball well. His goal from the left wing was a fine piece of work. Vcssey was again playing centre, aud ia up to his old form. The _SwiHs vanguard showed little combina«

tion, and will need to pay attention to this department of the game if they are to develop into a scoring side. In the Petone team a similar defeat was noticeable, but this was pardonable, as it was their first game together. Martin, at centre-half, was the mainstay of the team, both in attack and defence. In the forward line, • Stewart, - on the leftwing, was most prominent. Bold (who played ' last season , in the St. John's half-line) did good service as left back. Guthrie deserves a word of praise for his fine exhibition between the posts. GOOD GO AT PORIRUA. All the first division teams on Saturday had a close call, with the Exception of Hospital, who beat Wanderers by 5 goals to nil. One would think that it was a runaway victory, but such was not tho case, as Wanderers fought stubbornly, and keenly contested every inch of the game. They were unfortunate to meet the Porirua men on a ground so heavy, as although they were much the lighter team Wanderers foulid that Hosjpital were quite at home in the mud. The game was always of an interesting character, witfy play travelling at a fast rate up and down the field. Within a few minutes of the start Hospital scored with a long shot which came from the left wing. The town men. attacked keenly after this, and forced several corners, but nothing came of them. Hospital were continually turning their defence into attack, and Webster, Shaw, and O'Shea were kept very busy. At last Daily, who was playing on the left, made a splendid run, and when nearing the corner flag shot a beautiful goal, which completely nonplused Webster. Free-kicks for off-side play and foul throws were very numerous during the game. Davis, centre forward, played a fine game, and, with Hayward and Kettlewell, caused the Hospital defence a lot of trouble, Cobb being called on to save on many occasions. Towards the end of the* spell Skinnei' received close in and scored with a fast one. In the second half play was more even, although it seemed that Hospital were talcing things easier. Webster was never left idle long, and brought off some fine work. He earned rounds of applause when ha saved a hot penalty, awarded against Johnston for handling. The fourth goal came from splendid work by Heatli, who, after watching Webster bring off a magnificent save from his shot, had the satisfaction of besting Mm with a beauty from tho resultant corner-kick. Shortly after Hughes scored, but was ruled off-side. Then Wanderers took 0i hand, and shots by Davis and Hunter were saved. Towards the finish Skinner hit the 'cross-bar with a stinging shot, and Hughes, coming up in characteristic fashion, caught the rebound and scored. Webster got through a big afternoon's work in first-class style, and Wanderers have a very good defence right through. Shaw, O'Shea, and Barker were tho most prominent. Daily, Skinner, and Heath were the pick of the Hospital forwards, the first named pllaying a splendid outside game. All the defence played a good game, the most pleasing feature to Hospital being the fine pla-y of Batten at right half. FOURTH GRADE. Below will bo found a table eetting out m detail the position of tho teams! engaged in the Fourth' Grado competition :

CASUAL NOTES. . Hospital have been drawn to meet Corinthians on the Basin Reserve on Wednesday, 3rd June. It should provide a stirring contest. At time of writing, it is a bit doubtful whether Hospital will be able to fulfil their part of the engagement by coming to town. They are having some trouble in getting leave, but it is hoped that the matter will be arranged satisfactorily. That bad fault of players talking on the field was glaringly illustrated by one of the senior teams last Saturday. Every time the centre forward got the ball ho was assailed with frantic cries of, "Bob! Bob!" from each side of him. No wonder he at times hesitated, with the result that he was beaten for the ball. Thorpe, the Northampton goal-keeper, was unable to play in a recent match at West Ham, owing to knee trouble. Since he went from Barnsley to Northampton in September, 1909, Thorpe has not missed one of 234 first team games. It was the first time in five years that he had not appeared between the posts. Hospital played a new arrival in Batten on Saturday as right half. He shaped very nicely, and with a little more experience and coaching ehould prove an acquisition. To give an idea of the popularity of the game at Home, it is estimated that 20,000 people could not gain admittance at tho last international. The crush was terrific, and seventy persons were taken away in ambulances. The accidents were, fortunately, not of a serious nature, being mostly fainting attacks. Woolwich Arsenal have offered £1000 for the signature of Thornley, the old Manchester City centre forward. BAD LANGUAGE. Some of the barrackers on the line at the Corinthian-Diamond match on Saturday should be told by their friends that the use of bad language is no real help to a team, and that it is not quite fair to women and children who are present. Perhaps tho W.F.A. officials will keep .their ears open, if only for the sake of preserving decency. USEFUL TO KNOW. In case players do not know, it is well to stato that when a free kick has been awarded the kicker's oppononts shall not approach within 10 yards of the ball until tho kick is taken, unless they aro standing on their own goal-line. That is an amendment to law 10.

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