ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 142, 20 May 1925, Page 9

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

HOW COMPETITION IS SHAPING

R.S.A’s FINE RECORD. (Notes by "Hotspur.”) Tho senior soccer competition is nowtaking definite shape and outstanding amongst the performances of the seven teams entered is that of R.S.A. Admittedly this team have so far only been represented in two matches, but won both without a goal being scored against them. On present form Athletic are going to share with R.S.A. the honours—of the early season play at any rate. The former combination, which contains so many of the leading players of last season, has also played two matches and won them both, but its goalkeepor lias . been . passed on three occasions. It is worth noting that, while Athletic beat Foxton 4—o, R.S.A. defeated the same team by a considerably larger margin. Howover, there is little between them and the first meeting of the two redoubtable combinations should be provocative of a large measure of interest, and the result purely a matter for speculation. Rangers have won two matches out of three, beating St. Andrew’s A and B and losing to R.S.A. but the margin of goals in their favour over the three matches is only one. “Hotspur” is of the opinion that, despite their attractive wing play, Rangers will have to tone up to hold third place for long despite the fact that- they are two points ahead of any of the teams below them. St. Andrew’s A, Flock House, and Foxton have each two points to their credit from three matches but it is remarkable that the last-named should have scored only 2 goals to their severul ; opponents’ 13. Nevertheless, Foxton’ afe playing well and muy be expected to give sotne of their opponents a stiff game before the season is through. Rt. Andrew’s A lost to Rangers 3—4 and Foxton I—2 and beat Flock House on Saturday. The team’s two losses haye been onlv bare defeats—by one goal in each case—and the enterprising club which has placed two teams in the field this year and which conducted the Faster tournament, may confidently be expected to climb a rung or two 'on tho competition ladder after a further few Saturdays, At the beginning of the season Flock House were an unknown quantity but are now recognised as a force to be reckoned with. Although in the ordinary sense of the word juniors, the lads are doing remarkably well and in Cotter have a player fully deserving of Manawatu representative honours. St. Andrew’s B aro yet a little raw but in such men as Henderson, who worked like a Trojan in Saturday’s match at North Street Park, possess players of promise.

CHAMPIONSHIP TABLE.

LOCAL OBSERVATIONS. Cotter of Flock House, is the “find” of the season locally and should be kept in mind for selection of a representative team. He received a bad knock in Saturday’s match hut quickly recovered, though he was unconscious for a considerable spell. “Hotspur” is reliably informed that two primary school teams —from Terrace End and College Street Schools —are in process of formation. Probably they will pluy for the start under the colours of respective local soccer clubs but will nevertheless be representative purely of their schools and thus enjoy the incentive of inter-school competitions. By this means the association hopes to foster the game amongst the very young players until tho headmasters recognise its light to inclusion in the curriculum. Apropos of the foregoing the writer feels impelled to slate that the headmasters cannot he expected to give the game the coneideration it deserves until the players give a concrete example of efficiency m the senior ranks. One cannot regal'd their efforts very favourably when spectators havo still to stand on a damp ground in a cutting wind at North Street Park m winter—the erection of a grandstunil would give an excellent lead and uttruc-t many more spec,tutors. It is understood that a movement is being made , in the matter hut it has been “moving’ for a long time past. The grounds are vastly better conditioned than last year and have been rolled and marked until there is little room left for complaints. It seemed a pity on Saturday that the ground nearest the hostel should liuvo been left vacant, but needs must whore there is an “odd team out.” ' Although still a little iaggardly the matches on Saturday were commenced nearer to schedule than was the case on the previous Saturday and doubtless the awiociation will see to it that before long

the code locally is no longer overshadowed by the protnpUdudc of other sports .in Palmerston North in the matter of starting up to timo. Tho soccer enthusiast, whon advancing the claims of tlife round ball game, should remember that iUs control as much a« the play itself play 6 a part in cultivating public taste. Tho fruits of tho activities of the association during tho past year are becoming apparent in the shape of the- increased number of supporters ol tho: code and the improvement of the young players. Wellington Football Association last season had the largest number of clubs affiliated to it, 117 being tho number. Auckland followed with 114, Otago 60, and Canterbury 51. The value of the trophies in the direct control of the N.Z.F.A. is set down in tho annual report as Chatham Cup £126, Brown Shield £SO, Peter Dawson Cup £26, Skerrett Cup £lB 18s. The English soccer team plays two matches in West. Australia, two in South Australia, three iri Victoria, ten in New South Wales, and five in Queensland. The Englishmen sail from Fremantle on August 3.

Tho cabled report of the great match between Sheffield United and Cardiff, which resulted in the former team winning the Cup, referred to the splendid play of Gillespie, one of the winning team. William Gillespie is t;he captain of Sheffield United. lie plays on tho Inside left position, and is a wonderful player, perhaps the best inside left the game hus known. As a tactician, at any rate, he has not been surpassed. Almost bald, Gillespie has the appearance of a veteran, but lie is only about 32 years of uge, and lib plays with the virility of the athlete at his best. In each tie this season he has been the dominating force, the player who has done tho scheming,' and by his adroit moves he hue created the openings which have produced goals. Of course, there are men on tho Yorkshire side who ably back up thoir captain, but Gillespie is undoubtedly tho match winner. Senior ‘ matches in Wellington on Saturday resulted: Senior A: Diamonds 3, Thistle 3. Y.M.C.A. 5, Scottish Wanderers 1. Hospital 8, Watersiders 0. Mnrist 1, Institute 1. Senior II: Y.M.C.A, G 5, Diamonds 1. Johnsonvillo 5, Seatoun 4. Y.M.C.A. 82, Welgaeco 0. Petono 3, Swifts 1.

R.S.A. P, 2 W. 2 L. D. Goals for agn. Pts. 12 — 4 Athletic 2 2 9 3 4 Rangers 3 2 1 - 11 10 4 Flock IIouso 3 1 2 — 16 15 2 St. And. A. 3 1 2 — 12 10 2 Foxton 3 1' 2 - 2 13 2 St. And. B. 2 0 2 - 5 16 0