Association Football.

Free Lance, Volume XIV, Issue 723, 9 May 1914, Page 24

Association Football.

By Vanguard.

THE inclement weather of Saturday last caused the postponement of all matches,* much to the regret of followers of the game. The new ground at Kilbirnie is new looking in fine condition, and will be in splendid .trim for play in a few weeks' tame. A strenuous effort is being made to dispose of a further 250 shares. Enthusiasts are invited to become shareholders, and thus assist the directors to effect necessary improvements for the comfort both of players and spectators. #'* * * 'The Wellington Football Association,' following the excellent lead of the Home authorities, .is interesting itself in charity. A game is to be played on Saturday next on the Basin Reserve, the proceeds to be devoted to the Upper Hutt Disaster Fund. The match chosen is the competition fixture, Thistle and Hospital, last year's winners and the runnersup respectively, and a. most interesting tussle is sure to eventuate. The Hospital team this year is formidable, with but one weak spot. The team played a splendid opening game against T.M.C.A., especially amongst the forwards. The qombinatiori for a game played so early in the season was splendid. Skinner, Roots, Daly, and Hughes aire veritable demons for work, and infuse no'small amount of "go" into their aggressive play. The Thistles are untried, consequent upon the defaulting of Brooklyn United in the first match of the season. Nevertheless, the team is sure to be strong; individually, at any rate, being quite the equal of the Hospital team. Should Thistle have secured the necessary combination during its training operations, very -little will separate the teams at the close of the game. Reid and Bissett, both new to the team, will prove a tower of strength. _ The game should # prove a great attraction, and, considering the object for which the match is played, there should be a fine "gate.'? * * * * Much discussion was rife in Soccer circles early last week as to what would happen to Barnett, of the Brooklyn team, who, to all appearances had played for his club whilst under suspension until he appeared before the Wellington Football Association. It seems that the

letter calling him to appear had never been delivered on account of Barnett's change of business address. This being explained to the; chairman and secretary of the Wellington Football Association, permission to play was granted. Barnett duly appeared before the Management Committee, and his explanation regarding his signing on for two clubs being accepted as satisfactory, his suspension was lifted. * * * * The following par, culled from the "Athletic News," is. full of instruction for "Wellington players. It is a reference, to the game Aston Villa v. Manchester United, played at Manchester, the Villa winning by six clear goals: — "The Villa miorht have rehearsed the movements and combinations that they showed until they were as perfect as well-drilled soldiers. They worked the ball from man to man with a fluency and an exactness that are only seen when the companies of a regiment form fours at the word of command. There were times, and not at long intervale, when the enemy did not exist. Six and seven passes from player to plaver and a final crashing shot, without a Mancunian getting a foot to.the ball, were seen again and again. Chess played • with living men was never more bewitching to the spectator nor more bewildering to the defending side." * * * * BOYS* NOTES. In the Fourth Division there are some thirteen teams. It would have been an excellent idea if this competition had been divided into two grades, with, say, the strongest teams —Brooklyn, Marist A. T.M.C.A. A, Institute, Island Bay, and St. David's —in the A grade, and Swifts. Karori, Stars, Petone, Marist B, T.M.C.A. B, and Seatoun in # the B grade. A corrroetition of this nature would undoubtedly have been very interesting:, and at the end of the season the winners of the respective grades could have played off for the cup. In the' Fifth A Division there are eight teams entered. This competition should be very keen with Marist and Institute teams very near the lead at the end of the season. Wadestown should come somewhere near the head of the Fifth B Division. The Sixth Division is divided into two grades, and as there are so many teams of enual strength, it is hard to predict which' will win the respective competitions. * * # * "Vanguard" would be pleased to leoeive any items of interest to the boys.