ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

Evening Star, Issue 17080, 26 June 1919, Page 3

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

KOTBS AND JOTTINGS. [By "Off and On."] The Oral was a perfect picture on Saturday last, and if the play there did not ; depict the football of the classios.it left little raom for complaint on the score of lively movement and exciting keenness. The men from the mining district were a little over-aggressive at times, perhaps ! more through an insatiable desire to " get there" rather than by offensive intent , Still, in that respect Dunwocdie is well 1 advised to have a care lest the hand of the I oppressor fall heavily upon him. It is a pity that the Green Island I players live in scattered districts which, precludes, the possibility of regular practice to work up. combination. They are a fit side, but being fit is not the all in all of soccer. Complete understanding is equally essential. It cannot be denied that the * players are endowed with fleetness of foot and stamina, and they possess latent abilities that only need developing. They are a side that could be greatly improved by coaching. As it was, on Saturday 't was mainly the good goal-keeping of Scott and the finesse necessary to consummate line individual efforts that prevented them penetrating Southern's defence on more than one occasion. It was very nearly a case of thumbs down, Southern. The Red-and-blacks were off their game. Green Island put them'off it. The latter set a merry pace, consequently neither side had time to count the tombstones nearby. Yet there was time for numerous appeals. Some of the players were more voluble than electioneering politicians. Being of ■ short stature, it was rather difficult at times for " Off and On " in the midst of such a great gathering to obtain a decent view of the play—rather an unusual event at a local Soccer match, and quite contrary to his usual experience of seeking cover to avoid being spotted. If he did not see all the game, he heard a lot of line talk One little incident in the came caused quite a flutter among some noisy ers. Tho ball struck a Southern player on the arm. A foul was claimed, which tin; referee disallowed. (He, by the way, does not need to explain his decisions to the players.) '"What i-ot! It's a fair foul. The ball hit his arm/' loudly exclaimed a bystander. Then the music started. Pules were quoted and referees and reftreeing of the past were referred to. The name of one (Bill Smith), whom I had very nearly forgotten, was mentioned. I thought of explaining that there is a difference between the ball striking the player's arm and the player striking the ball with his arm, but, being a molehill among the mountains, concluded 1 tho business was not mine. The referee was absolutely right to ignore the appeal. Samson, however, put all in good humor by malting a fine run down the line Writing Samson's name recalls that the selectors have not included him as one to go into training as a possible for inclusion ■in the Brown Shield team. He is such a player of promise, that, even supposing he has no hope of being included in the team, would it not be -wise to give him the opportunity to be trained and coached with the more favored? Personally 1 have great, hope in Samson, and believe, if he received a little schooling, he would develop into a first-class winger. He is veiling to learn and will do as he is told. On Saturday I asked him to centre. He promptly did so, and had Green Island's centre forward been a little more expert with his feet a aoal would have re ulted. Nov.- if you wish to know who "Off and On " is—well, ask Samson. Reflecting on Saturday's play, one matter bobs up intrusively, and that is the position many players take up when a throw-in is about to be undertaken. They f::ce the half who is doing the throwing. That is wrong. Is it not better to stand side-on, thus saving the necessity of turning round. You will save time and get going quicker. If you are a forward and receive the ball, please don't punt it down tho field to the opposing full-back, who will, no doubt, be much obliged. If you can't o'blicr© one of your own forwards, tap the ball back to your half, and get into position to permit him obliging you. At this period of the season when thus early "the sunset turns the ocean's blue to gold," players should be ready to take the' field at "3 o'clock- Saturday's game was nearly 15 minutes late in starting, necessitating an appeal to the referee on the quest on of linht. The procedure adopted by Mr Brown (the referee) to decide the question was correct-. He walked to the centre of the field to ascertain if the tio.d posts at both ends were visible from that position. Evidently they were, as he allowed the game to proceed.

It is noted with pleasure that the association will endeavor to desnateh a fourth grade team to Christchurch in company with the Brown Shield team. That's just as it ought to be " Off and On " has be-iii takir.-g notice of junior football of late, and has no hesitation in savins; that there are many fine exponents of the game in ths lower grades In going tip they sav, sensations only last a, day or two At the time of writing it's coming down but " Off and On " is hoping that '• situations" will arrive and prevail till after Saturday to permit Southern and Mornington to meet under favorable, conditions. Culling Park is a good wet-day ground, so that is something ,in our favor!' These two teams should provide something special.