THE ASSOCIATION GAME.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18075, 27 April 1922, Page 9

THE ASSOCIATION GAME.

NOTES AND COMMENTS. The Association football matches played dp Saturday afternoon gave every indication that olay in the senior competition this year will be of » very high standard, and the struggle for championship honours close and interestingThe match at Devonport between North Shore and Ponsonby was keenly contested throughout, and the footwork and combined play of the former team especially, was very creditahle indeed for the opening «ame of the season. For the home team Woolley, C Dacre and Alison were most conspicuous in the forward line. The play of the two outside men left nothing to be desired. They kept in position.and repeatedly made excellent dashes down the line, which were finished off by accurate passes to the centre. Had the mside men been in better shooting form more goals must have resulted. Dacre got through a tremendous amount of work, and his goal was a splendid effort, but his tendency to get out of position is a fault which should be immediately checked. II it is necessary for any of the forwards to drop back on defence, this should be done bv the two inside men. The centre forward s place is upfield with the two wingers.. Of a hard-working trio in the half line Craig was perhaps the best. Vt be was a good deal hampered by C. Dacre's roaming tactics L Dacre's exposition m the back line was of a very high order: His partnor, Sampson, got in some good returns Wt for a big man hi tackling is weak. Mcßae in gal. was very safe. Of the Ponsonby forwards Wallwork and Simm were easi y the pick, but, contrary to expectations, the attacking lino failed as a combination. Mclvor also did well in the first half, and it was a mistake to play him in the half line in the second spell, sending Anderson forward. Thit was no doubt done w,th.the idea of strengthening the defence against Alison, whose pace was disconcerting the Ponsonby back., bu it made little difference. .The play of I Stewait at inside right was decidedly patchy, and he appeared to lack interest m the game. Im.es was not up to form, but at- times showed glimpses of the dashinff nlav which gained him representative : honou s'lalt year" , Meikle. at centre half played a particularly clever game, tackling and Placing to his forwards in fine style Roberta was the best full-back on the I ground and saved his side time after time. lln him Woollev was up against a stiff irwposition, and had Roberts been opposing Alison it is certain that the young players w ! ng work would not have met with the Micreas it did, Ponsonby are very fortunate lin their new goal-keeper, Plummer, whose I play on Saturday was well ud to senior I °YM C a's win over Brotherhood by two I clear goals was not so decisive as the Bcpre 'would indicate. Although the winning team was stronger in individual players, Brotherhood's team work created a vers i pood impression, and there n no doubt that -tbev are a side which will have to be 1 reckoned with an the season goes on The i hardest-working player on the field w-as -Fiebig Y.MC.A.'s left half. He continually ', broke, up the combined movements of th( opposing forwards, and made splendid openlings for his own attacking line. The outstanding players on the Brotherhood sid< | were the centre forward and the coal t kcfPpr i ' Evorton justified their promotion to thi 'senior division l-v defeating Co-.-inlh.ians bj i the odd goal in three. The playing area al the Domain was not in very good order. Mm I long grass rmiking accurate passing diffi i cull Two coals for the winning team wen aco'od by Duncar, and J. Diamond's goal keeping did mil.-'-, to give victory to hii side. For Corinthians, Rowat played wei and scored a good goa l N'orthcote. last year's champions, had i comparatively easy victor* over Devonpor Presbyterian by five goals to two. ine lane

team, being newly formed, lscktd combination, but showed some good material thai should develop as the season advances. It was interesting to note that all of last year's Brown Shield team, with the exception of Braithwaite, who is now residing in Huntly, are turninir out again for their clubs. ! ' MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE. j Referees' Teports of Saturday's matches received by the Management Committee of the association, showed that the eea*on had been got under way successfully. I Several slight hitche3 occurred in the i arrangements for some of the junior games, but these were not of a serious nature, I and the chairman Mr. D. A. Williams was of the opinion that everything would be I running smoothly by next Saturday. Per- ■. miesion was granted to the Devonport Presbyterian senior team to play a match against H.M.S. Chatham on Saturday next, i \ request from the Huntly Club that the. Association arrange to send boys' teams to Huntly to play local teams during the season was favourably received but had to be referred back with the information that the application must come through the ■ South Auckland Association. The question of senior clubs play.r.g alternately home and away matches wa.s dia- ! cussed at some length. Mr. WilliaPie poinded out that thie method was undoubtedly trie best one, but in view of the fact that there were nine senior teams and only seven play. ing areas, it was quite impossible to strictly carry it out. Members of the Grounds Committee assured the meeting that the rule would be enforced wherever possible, and the matter was referred to the «uh-commiUee with power to act MAi'CHES FOR SATURDAY. The Auckland Football Association's competitions in the various grades will bo continued on Saturday. Following are the allotment of grounds and- appointments of referees:— , Senior Division.-Northcote v. Brotherhood, Domain No. 1. 3 p.m. Mr. F. M. Ritchie; I'onsonby v. Y.M.C.A., \ ictori* I Park No. 4, 3 p.m., Mr. W. H. Guest, Philomel v. Everton. Domain No. 2, 3 p.m., I Mr. \Y. MrFarlane; Corinthian v. North Shore, North Shore No. 1, 3 p.m., Mr. R. C Robinson; Devonport Presbyterian a bye. Second Division.-Dovonport Presbyterian v. Fonsonby. North Shore No. 2,3 p.m.. Mr J. J. Wright; Y.M.C.A- v. Technica. Old Boys, Domain No. 2, 3 p.m., Mr. A. Bo«ic; North Shore v. W.YM.L, \iclon» Park W 3, 3 p.m.. Mr. P. 0. Banell Metropolitan v. Everton, Mount AJbert, J p.m., Mr. Saunders. Third Division.— Onehunga Methodist v. Metropolitan, Domain No 1 2 p.m.. Mr 1. C Kent- North Shore v. College United, North Shore No. 1, 2 P.m.. Mr. W. ASavage; Northeot* v. Y.M.C.A., Victoria Park \"o. 4. 1 p.m.. Mr. P. 0. Jennings. Fourth Division—North Shore v. Brotherhood, North Shore No. 2, 2 p.m., Mr Ho, lows- Devonnort Methodist v. Belmont, Victoria Park No. 3, 2 p.m.. Mr. G. Campbell: YMCA v. Onehunea Methodist. Domain No. 22 p.m., Mr. F M Ritchie; Metropolitan v. Corinthian, Mount Albert. 2 p.m., Mr Winslow. Devonnort Presbyterian v. Technical Old Boys. Outer Domain No. 3, 3 p.m., Mr- Parker. Fifth Division --Devonport v Northcote, Victoria Park No. I. 1 p.m.. Mr. Til.son: North Shore v. W.Y M.1., North Shore No. 1 Ipm-, Mr. Rolvnson: Metropolitan v. Devonport M-thodis' North SWe No 2. 1 p.m., Mr. Turnbull Meant Eden v. Belmont, Victoria Park No. 2. 1 p.m.. Mr. Gib- • Bt Roliera fl. bve.