ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

Evening Star, Issue 17085, 2 July 1919, Page 3

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

NOTES ANI> JOTTINGS. [By “Off and On/’] To Mornington is due tho credit of being tho first .team to defeat Southern in this year's- contest for th® Cup. True, tho victory was a narrow one. “By a •whisker-,” remarked, a critical spectator. Yes, he may have been, right in his calculation, but to tlie winners that one “ whisker ” is of as much value as a bunch of “ whiskers.” The park was in good order and repair, but the strong and bitterly cold wind hampered the players in their efforts to combine. Still, concerted action was not altogether lost sight of, there being some fine touches by both sides -while playing against the wind. Mornington failed to take advantage of the elements. _ When Southern’s turn came they failed ’lamentably. When “ orange time" arrived’ without a point against Southern their supixirt-ers wore happy in tho thought that it would only be a- question of how many goals the win would be. They counted their chickens befex© t-lie la«icL As tixno progrossed grins 'became smiles, smiles became shadows of doubt, which deepened into gloom. Meantime, Morningtonites were in reverse gear’. Gloom ootaved, into notes of high hilarity, a.ndi ♦hen tile referee declared peace tLere was a great joy among the men of tho hilltops over one goal (a whisker if you will) resplendent. Even tiro complaint against tho Ground Committee was forgotten, the writing of which brings to mind a discussion among a group of spectators aneut tho badges on some of the Morninjrton players’ jerseys. One imaginative individual ventured tire opinion that the badge might be there to call attention to the fact that file team is debarred the use of its ground. A closer view would liave convinced him that his conclusion was “groundless.” There wero some wits on the ground. “ Off and On ” offers Ills thanks to the one that sngegsted the asßociatiou should inquire into the running of Mornington on the first three Saturdays He considered it was. “stiff.” To get back to the game. As before stated, neither side sought the aid of the wind as an ally. Indulgence in lob passing was honored mono in the breach than The observance. During the second spell Southern assisted their opponents by allowing the play to settle mostly on Die right wing. The left was tho side to work. Hard kicking was a glaring weakness. When will halvas loam that the ball is their fjriend, not an enemy to bo booted like an undesirod suitor. Southern wore the worst offenders in that respect, Obliging the opposition with many goal kicks. They say that Nero fiddled while Home was burning. On Saturday Mason’s firo of enthusiasm was pretty well quenched by Davie’s “fiddling.” He got on the “ E string ” of players and spectatora alike. Beat your man once, Jim, and move on or move the ball on. Brushing your boots on it is not in the game. You know tho story .about the snail and the hare. O’Driscoll received few favors. It was easy for him to keep cool. On tho day the winners were more certain in defence, and dangerous in attack, Dickie being the autocrat in the back division, with Hiaig and Johnston keen rivals. Morning taiV a inside right—a, new man by appearance—displayed speed and knowledge. On Southern’s aide neither Tremthan or Bennie was above par - as die- ‘ fenders, but Tyrie and the other half worked quietly and with purpose, while M'Evoy found Booker’s bnstsfing tactics not to his liking. I have -had to cut my remarks on the play short to attend to “Enthusiast,” who writes as follows:—“In view of the Brown Shield contest, do you. think it would bo too much to ask your opinion on the players chosen for practice. Personally, I consider the selectors should pick tho Brown Shield) team. As it is, there appeal® to bo too much chopping and changing. Perhaps you, with your experience, could pick a team capable of bringing the Brown Shield to Dunedin, What do you think of it?” “ Off and On " thinks that there is a reasonable chance of the shield coming to Dunedin. Perhaps he could pick a team to bring it, but he would desire the right to school and train it. The 'Selectors would not be wise to choose the players too early, because the match may not be played, for a month or more. In that time it would be possible for a player - to lose form, while others not included may improve out of all knowledge. Next week-,! may find it convenient to give an t opinion' on the player* chosen for -practice; meantime, let us rejoice in the fact that the shield remains in Christchurch. Tiie Maori Hill tegm turned out late in the match against Northern. Pterhaps the efforts they have recently put into the work repairing tire pavilion left them over-taxed, or is it that they are conserving their strength to tackle the work.