ASSOCIATION

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 126, 29 May 1915, Page 12

ASSOCIATION

I (By "Vanguard.") THISTLES' GOOD GAME. For some obscure reason, Y.M.CA. ■was not in such good form as usual on Saturday, and, as always happens in such cases, it found its opponents, the men of the dour old Thistle mark, not only in good form, but playing a game that would have carried them through a very much sterner conflict. The wind certainly was a factor in the game, and it was to the distinct credit of Y.M.CA. I that they scored a goal against the wind in the first spell after twenty minutes' arduous endeavour. On the basis of their previous week's win against Hospital, it was anticipated that V.M.'s I would make things very lively during the second spell, with the wind in their favour. They did nothing of the sort. They were not in a winning vein, and, with the exception of a few brilliant, but too brief, ebullitions, they faded into football oblivion, while, at the same time, the blues displayed a vigour and earnestness and football skill that did them real credit. In the light of previous matches, Thistle is so far the premier team this season, but the form of the possible winners has been of such ! an "in and out" variety this season that it would be a bold man who ventured to bet on the result at this stage. Hospital, Corinthians, and Y.M.CA. have all three played disappointingly — no one quite knows why. It only remains for Thistle to do likewise and the season will have commenced in earnest. It is, however, interesting to note that for Thistle Bellamy is just as good in goal as ever he | was; that Brownlee is the same old Brownlee at centre-half, and that Bar- | nett (outside left) was the delight of the spectators, who, by-the-bye attended in large numbers. For Y.M.CA., Nimmo did' himself very good justice in goal, and Foote (right half), Roberts (centre), Wilson (left half), played up to form in most cases. Carruthers (outside right) did not get too many chances, but was obviously suffering from a bad leg. He will have to be careful. In every respect the game was clean and wholesome throughout, and there were no dull moments. DIAMONDS PROVE THEMSELVES, Corinthians have flood reason to remember their contest with Diamonds. They expected to win, but in Diamonds found foemen worthy of their steel, and after a keenly-fought out contest suffered defeat by 1 'goal to> nil. The explanation is that since the opening of the season Diamonds have come on remarkably well. On Saturday's performance they showed that they are able to hold their own with any team in the championship contest ; they can kick and shoot and head the ball with commendable accuracy, and above all, have established a combination that bids fair to place them well upon the honours' list at the end of the season. Their ! Saturday's display, indeed, was such as to justify the confidence of their supporters, and this was specially the case in the manner in which they played together both in attack and defence. The game had not been long in progress before the formidable Corinthian team found they were up against it, and they exerted themselves to no small degree, with the result that a really good exhibition of " soccer " was provided. In the first half Diamonds, playing with the wind in their favour, had Corinthians mainly on. the defensive,' but in the lafcter's back division they found a combination that could not be penetrated, notwithstanding several attacks of long duration. Corinthians occasionally broke away, only to find that the Diamonds' backs were as good as their forwards. In the second spell Corinthians, with the wind to aid them, made a series of vigorous attempts to pierce Diamonds' defence, but were unable to accomplish the task, and being repelled as often succumbed to a Diamonds' assauit which gave the all blacks the victory. Corinthians, though defeated, certainly played a good game, and did their I best to win. Their 'combination was .well up to standard, while their back play was specially good; the only fault to be found with them was in their forward play, which was not as good as it usually is, especially in attack. Of the backs, Goffen did some excellent work at goal, while Graham and Jardine, playing right and left back respectively, shone out to special advantage, being, in fact, the mainstay of their_ side. Rickerby, at centre, was also in good form. Among the forwards, King, at centre, did the best work. While the Diamonds' backs all played good games, Burbish and Kestle proved themselves the most valuable, being always handy when wanted and kicking with fine judgment. Auld, at centre, and Newport and Collins, on the wings, who proved themselves formidable opponents, are also deserving of special mention. To the Diamonds' forward divi&lon praise must likewise be extended. They showed plenty of dash, dribbled well, and kicked with good judgment and accuracy. Lynneberg, at centre, played quite a great game, . and was well supported by Liversage ' and Aimes, on the right, and Black and Dumbleton, on the left. Y.M. B BETTER THAN SWIFTS. The strong wind which prevailed on Saturday spoiled Association football to a considerable extent, the fact being more than observable in the Swifts v. Y.M.CA. B match at Duppa-street. The opening stages of the game were of a somewhat disappointing character, as Swifts, although they did considerable pressing, seemed unable to control their movements with a degree of accuracy necessary to ensure a modicum of success. The backs kicked high instead of keeping the ball low, and they frequently put too much leather behind the ball, with the result that the forwards were placed at some disadvantage. But even when the latter were in possession a good deal of misdirected zeal was observable, the ball often being passed yards in front of the players. In this way Swifts undoubtedly lost chances that did not come their way in the second half, although on changing ends they showed marked and gratifying improvement, the forwards especially being alert and dangerous. Half way through the initial moiety, a series of vigorous assaults was made upon both goals, which tested the capabilities of each set of defences. Y.M.CA. offered a very stubborn resistance, and the halves put in a lot of solid work, but in the end Davis gob a good goal for Swifts. The latter team almost got through a few minutes later, consequent upon a rattling run up field, in which short and accurate passing was a feature. There was a lot of end to end play during the remainder of this half, and Macklin was conspicuous with some good runs, but he was inclined to over-iun the ball at times, which put his partner at a disadvantage. Prominent among the Y.M.CA. 's were Pamplin and Stirrip, who, in the face of the stiff breeze, frequently got the advantage of their opponents, and as the result of tricky tactics were a source of anxiety to the Swifts' defence. The second half throughout was fast and exciting, and Y.M.CA. settled down to a steady, all-round game. On the other hand, Swifts, profiting by errors in the first venture, kept the ball well under control, and Macklin, the Guises, and the other wing^ men electrified tho game by .some brilliant runs 'down field, with a iiumber of culmiuHtiiiut red li«L *hots. Jfrcauent-

ly pulled up when in dangerous proxiniity to the goal, they succeeded in giving Smith a warm time. That custodian brought off two fine saves in quick succession, and 'proved his mettle between the posts on subsequent occasiona. Play, however, for the most part ranged round the Swifts' citadel, where their custodian gave a sterling display. He was beaten twice, but had nothing to be ashamed of. Whenever Swifts forwards got the ball they made good use of their opportunities, but comparing the two teams, Y.M.CA., on Saturday's play, were the better. They showed more judgment, and passed with greatef freedom and accuracy. Both centre forwards gave a good account of themselves, the Swifts' man more especially in the second half. It has been unfortunate that in the opening stages of the season the winds have been so high. Criticisn^ may be thought to be somewhat invidious under the circumstances, but there can be little excuse for erratic movements such as were observable on Saturday. A word should be said with regard to the corner kicking. Both sides had their full complement of these, and invariably the kicks were placed with admirable precision. But long Kicking in a high wind \s always a dangerous experiment ; and so it proved on Saturday. AN UNLUCKY TEAM. Rovers had more than Wanderers' eleven to play against at Anderson Park, for that old tyrant Misfortune visited tho ranks a few minutes after the commencement of the game and robbed them of one of their best players, besides leaving the weakness in the most important line. Hart, the man Fate decreed should have no part in the match, is the \vell-known centre half, and it takes little imagination on the part of the followers of Association to understand why Rovers had little chance without him. Then, to make matters worse, Hart {centre forward) had to go with the injured man when the second spell was quite young. So, with these unlucky happenings it would not be fair to criticise the nine who, though failing to_ combine to advantage,' held Wanderers fairly well in the second spell. Wanderers showed good forward play. ' and their combination was really first-rate in the first half. They had several good openings, but bad shooting lost goals. The best score was that by M'Dougall, . who sent in a long shot from near the line. This goal was due entirely to tho alertness of M'Dougall, who anticipated * the direction of Heaps's clearance kick and followed up quickly, thus securing , a fine score. The game, as a whole, , was slow and hardly up to tho senior standard. WITH THE BOYS. The game amongst the boys was somewhat disorganised last week owing to cadet parades, several of the teams having a- bye in consequence. Karori, in the fourth division, is a team that is showing great promise this season. Russell, amongst the backs, is one of the mainstays of the team, and this lad is undoubtedly one of the best backs in this grade. Lisington, in tho forward line, is another good player. A good solid go was witnessed at Petone when Y.M.CA. defeated St. David's 3-2. Cameron, at full-back for the winners, played an excellent game. Ross, at centre forward for the same team, has a great turn of speed, but should cultivate the habit of controlling the ball. For the suburbanites Wylie, at centre half, was very sure, while Jones, at left half, was also good. He marked his man very well and gave the opposing wing forward no chance whatever. In the fifth division Y.M.CA. kept up their victorious record, beating Seatoun by 8-1. The team displayed its usual fault, that of wandering. This is a very bad fault and should be corrected at once, as it is ruinous to good play. Bell, in the South Wellington team, is another sterling player who should go very near rep. honours this year. This team is undoubtedly the best 'in the fifth B grade and should have no difficulty in annexing the cup. The forward line combine particularly well, while the defence is very sound. I notice that sixth division teams are being sent out to Miramar, while in many cases the fourth and fifth teams have the town grounds. It would be as well, perhaps, if the sixth division were kept nearer the city, as on damp or threatening afternoons these teams are invariably short. NOTES. The question of playing Brown Shield matches is at present exercising the minds of players and the different associations. The New Zealand Football Association has asked affiliated bodies for their opinions on this matter, and the W.F.A. has decided that these matches should no€ be played this season, a decision with which "Vanguard" heartily agrees. It is to be hoped that the other centres interested will corn el to the same decision, and thereby strengthen the hands of the N.Z.F.A. The playing of club football cannot possibly do any harm or cause harmful criticism of the game, but when it comes to representative matches, it is a totally different matter. One reason for tho present will, suffice: In a time like this it is not wise or fair that what are considered the plums of football should go to men who, under ordinary conditions, would probably not be considered. A despatch to a London newspaper from Pans early in April gave some particulars of football playing in France. It stated that a surprise was in store for Soccer followers. It lay in the defeat of the Legion Saint Michel, its first defeat this season, by the Association Sportive Francaise. The latter team was led by its captain, Georges Defrance, who has been wounded at the front no fewer than four times, and was recently awarded the Legion of Honour. Defrance, who is shortly to return to the front, desired before leaving to lead his club to victory, and succeeded in his wish. Under his captaincy the young players of Association Sportive Francaise showed brilliant form, and won by 2 goals to 1. The defeat of Corinthians has levelled up the first division league table, all the teams now having at least one defeat. In a season like the present one must be prepared for many surprises, and the ultimate winner of the championshipu is atill very difficult to pick. j?he reversal of form shown by Y.M.CA. a. in their match with Thistle would require a meeting of the stewards if it occurred in horse-racing. Hospital beat Thistle easily, then Y.M.CA. beat Hospital. Now Y.M.CA. are beaten by Thistle. The glorious uncertainty of the game ! The Referees' Association is again having a severe attack of their old trouble—^-a scarcity of gentlemen with enough interest in the game to spare a couple of hours on Saturdays. In this week's games " Mr. A. N. Other " is officiating in several, and it is certainly a pity that it should be left to him. There are many old soccer players I know of in Wellington who would make very capable referees, and it is up to them to come forward and make a little sacrifice. With a great number of men the interest in the game is practically gone when they cease playing, and no doubt they were the loudest to " roar " when there happened to be no referee in their time. It is not all sacrifice, either, on the part of the referee ; most of them," if not all, thoroughly enjoy the game, besides getting generally much needed exercise.