Association Football.

Free Lance, Volume XIX, Issue 992, 9 July 1919, Page 33

Association Football.

Recently I noticed a paragraph in a local paper to the effect that the Canterbury Football Association have had a discussion as to whether it is advisable for players to be elected _to selection committees for the picking of representative teams. Further that as at present constituted five members were too many to act as selectors. In considering thisi matter it appears to me to be a very unwieldy body and the experience of the local W.F.A. is that three members is ample for the position. Again, too, the management committee of this Association, being composed of non-play-ers, usually picks the selectors imm members of its committee and the decision to do so works admirably. On Saturday I made the journey to Petone. to watch the Petone-Marist first division game, and what struck me most on arrival at the Petone Recreation Ground was the large number of footballers from the township who were participating in the Association, Rugby and League matches. Fully thirteen teams took the field in the various games and for its size Petone must easdly hold the record for the number of teams participating in Saturday games. I- know for a fact that the Association could easily put another couple of teams into the field, but the old cry —want of grounds—again comes up. It appears to me that the Petpne Borough Council should do its utmost to ■obtain 'further grounds adjacent to the township before it becomes too late for them to be obtained, as the Hutt Park Reserve, even if now obtainable, is too far away for those who have to make the journey from Wellington. The game during the first spell was well worth the visit, some pretty play being shown by both sides. What struck me most, though, was the condition of the Petone lafds, who were in great nick, but this isi easily accounted for owing to the systematic training, received by the team who have the use of the local Rugby, gymnasium on two evenings a week.. The play fell away considerably during the second speli, the sodden condition of the ground, no doubt having something to do with this. I heard repeatedly of the fine play display sliown each week by Ingham, left back of the Petone team, but I was disappointed with him. Certainly he is a good club man and is.about the only back I have noticed this season who does not sky the ball, but he will need to give a far better display before he is* capable of obtaining a place in any representative team which may be required. Cosney was the best of the halves and Bold of the forwards. Eddie Fitzgerald was the star of the Marist backs, as was Thomas of the halves. With coaching thia lad has a future before him, but at present he kiqks too much when it would pay him to drop the ball to his forwards. Of the forward line A. liowe played his best game of the season and Carruthers also did well. The outstanding forward of the lot, however, is M. McElligott, but in this game he appeared to me to be a trifle lazy. At one time the selectors of the Association appeared to have a fairly

easy task before them, but their difficulties are increasing each week, more so too, as. they will, not have the services of C. Reid and Sam Frickleton, the latter having been transferred to Christehurch, for whom he will no dfoubt play against "Wellington this seaaon. A back well spoken of is McArthur of the Thistle Club, who is stated to be a junior Scottish International player. If Wellington has to meet Canterbury for the Shield there is no doubt but that the best team must be put into the field l to try conclusions with the redoubtable southerners. One of the surprises of the Wei, lington senior soccer contests last Saturday was the defeat of the Boys' Institute, one of the leading teams, by Brooklyn United, at the very bottom of the ladder. The score was two goals to one and this was Brooklyn's first win of the season—and judging by their performance on Saturday it won't be their last. None of the more successful teams lin the competition can afford to hold them toe cheaply. . Despite the slippery nature of the ground the two teams gave a very exhilarating exhibition of Soccer. The ball was rarely out of play, which, with the even nature of the teams, kept the excitement going right up to

the last. The result was jus* about a fair indication of the comparative merits of the respective sides. In the second half Institute were perhaps the more aggressive, but there was little difference, as the play travelled up and down the field fast and furiously. Broolslyn were surer and made less mistakes and moreover were more deadly in front of the goal. The two star players on the field were Belhamie (who, I understand, was making his debut this season), goalkeeper for Brooklyn, and Thomas*, the übiquitous little centre-half for the same team. These two were almost impassable. The latter also kept his forwards going in good style. Tarrant gave a good account of himself in goal for Institute. In one save he made he had to dive at the corner of the goal, colliding with the goalpost and injuring himself slightly in the effort. McGirr also played a fair game at centre-half for Institute, but he made the fatal mistake of hanging on to the ball too long. The forwards were evenly matched, but Brooklyn's always looked more dangerous when in striking distance. :-;•. .