ASSOCIATION GAME

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8734, 16 May 1914, Page 13

ASSOCIATION GAME

(By “Goalkeeper.”)

Only two rounds of the championship matches have so far been played, and of those the second only comprised three games, the Brooklyn United, Brooklyn and Y.M.C.A. teams drawing byes on account of the Takapau camp. Petone have not yet had a chance to show their metal. Last Saturday fortnight they drew a bye, Saturday week all matches were put off, and on Saturday last the 'Wander-ers-Petone match was postponed on account of the bad condition of the Petono ground. The third round of matches will bo played this afternoon. Those who can travel to Porirua aro sure to see some good football in the Hospital-Swifts match. Both the Diamonds-Y'.M.C. A. and the Thistle-Brooklyn matches will be played at the now Kilbirnie ground, and the latter gams is sure to be most attractive. Petono will play their first game on the homo ground against Wanderers, and Corinthians v. Rovers will meet at the Basin. KEEN AS A CUP TIE. The much-talked-of meeting between Hospital and Thistle last week provided a stirring contest, one to bo remembered for some time. It was as keen as a cup tie, and the football generally was more of the cup-tie stylo than league football. By winning tho toss, Thistle took advantage of the strong wind and kept Hospital defending most of the spell. The fact that Thistle couid only score a penalty goal, speaks volumes for the quality of the defence. Of course, chances were missed, but Cobb was called on to make several very fine saves. The Hospital team did not seem to settle down for some time, and in the earlier , portion of tho game played rather ragged football. The spell was well on before any score came, and it came indirectly from a bad kick by Wallis, who in clearing from near the line, placed the ball in front of his own goal. , In tho resultant mix-up, the ball struck Morgan on the hand and tho referee awarded a penalty. Edwards put a lot of powder behind tho shot and Cobb was left helpless. Shortly after. Hospital gained a penalty through Miller bringing Heath down. Skinner took the kick, but that usually good shot placed it straight at McArdle. The spell ended with Thistle leading by one goal. The general estimate was as to how many Hospital would’ score with the wind behind them, hub . Hospital supporters received a rude shock when m three minutes Thistle had scored again, and against the wind. That Hospital were caught napping there is no doubt, but it was pretty football that led to the score. Leadsman worked tho bah away to Tyrer, who made a lovely opening for Marshall. The latter raced away and at the correct, moment centred to Ferguson, who put tho finishing touch on. It. was from now on that Hospital showed some of their true form, and they gave the Thistle defence a lively time, particularly McArdle- It was some time, though, before they could break through, hut eventually Skinner, with some clever work, centred to Heath, who scored with a stinging shot. The play was now very fast, and the football was well forth watching. Hospital’s second goal came from Roots, who placed in a high dropping shot which McArdla jcould only touch. The game ended (shortly after with the scores even. Cobb, in goal for Hospital, pleased the critics with his clean work and strong kicking. Cross and Wallis at , back, kieked strongly, but the former was inclined to wander father much. Roots and Duncan did a lot of good work in the halves. Of the forwards, Skinner, Heath and Daily were the pick. Hughes was 'very disappointing for a player!of his 'reputation. - McArdlo gave a splendid exhibition jin goal for Thistle, and certainly earned the gamejfor his teqm. I Miller and Edwards-worked like TroJjans, and with Reid and Loadsman got I thro ugh an immense amount of work. In the forwards, the one who caught the eye moat was Ferguson. He is a .most promising centre; Marshall and' JTyrer combined well, and tho firstnamed has a nice turn of speed. A DISAPPOINTMENT. The Swifts-Corinthians game playedat the new Kilbirnie ground last Saturday was something of a disappointment, for the reason that Corinthians were obliged to play two substitutes. .Swifte did well, playing better as the ■season advances, but many attribute the absepce of a score on either side to Corinthians’ weakened team. Writing about tho new ground reminds |onb that there are a fairly large number of “soccer” enthusiasts between Newtown and Lyall Bay who would appreciate tho erection of a shelter-shed ■or two (not .necessarily a grandstand) at Kilbirnie. A HINT TO ROVERS.

If the individual members of the Rovers team were to practise screw .kicking, as well as rapid shooting when jin range of the goal, they would come out very near on top this season. In )the last two matches the solid work put in by their forwards and the fine combination of the whole team has been ia feature of the play, and it just requires that finishing touch of unerring (judgment at the critical moment to ;mak© them, second to none. Perhaps it ds yet too early in the season to expect the more scientific side of the (game to be displayed. Apart from one or two flashes of brilliance, there has been a marked dearth of attractive foot-work, the majority of players being prone to favour the big kick and follow style, which is not worth looking at. BROWN SHIELD RULES. X ‘

The sub-committee appointed by the New Zealand Football Association to revise the Brown Shield rules has submitted a fairly comprehensive report cf suggestions, tbo adoption of which by the N.Z.F.A. should meet with approval by affiliated associations. The most important alterations are, of course, those relating to the finance of Brown Shield matches. At present the N.Z.F.A. takes 10 per cent, of the gross gate, and the net proceeds arc then apportioned, two-thirds to the challenging association and one-third to the home association.

■ It has been felt for some time (and officials of the council have recognised it) that 10 per cent, gross has been somewhat too severe a tas upon the gate, and a recommendation has been made to Sse effect that the amount to bo taken by the council in future shall be 5 per cent., or equal to one-half of previous seasons. The net proceeds are to bo apportioned as follows: —Threefifths net gate to the challengers, and two-fifths net to the holders. This moans a difference of 6 per cent, either

way. Home associations will have little to cavil at in what the council pit-ends to do.

The visiting associations would work but at much about the same. For instance, last season Otago received £32. Under the proposed rules, however, they would have got barely a pound less, so that there can really bo little discussion on the matter, and the committee is to be congratulated upon suggesting such a satisfactory basis of alteration. PLAYERS’ INSURANCE.

Tho insurance scheme started by the Wellington Football Association had its first claim last Wednesday, when at a meeting of the management committee, a letter was received from a Thistle player claiming tho benefits for an injury received in the match at the Basin Reserve last Saturday. The details of this insurance scheme are by no means so widely known as they should be. In return for a yearly subscription of Is Cd per head (Is in tho case of grades 3,4, 5, and 6 and the schools) each player injured will have the services of a doctor free of charge, and, in addition, - will be paid £1 per week while unable to follow his occupation by reason of an accident received while playing football. The period of payments is limited to six weeks. The payment will not be made if the player is receiving his customary wages while away from work. No claim is allowed for injury otherwise than when playing in a championship match or a representative trial or game. The accident must be reported within three days of its occurrence. tj It is hoped to have two “ soccer Wednesday competitions this season, a senior one, and a secondary school competition for boys over fifteen. In connection with the former, enthusiasts are reminded of the public meeting to bo held in the Y.M.C.A. rooms next Wednesday evening. .Thistles now have a thistle embroidered on their jerseys. It would look much better if they were of uniform

Hospital were very disappointed when Skinner missed the penalty. McArdle’s haka no doubt had its influence on him. Brooklyn United find themselves unable to place a team in the field, which is a great pity. Tho recent strike has been one of the chief causes of tho trouble. . , Tho ‘result of Saturday s matches leaves the leading teams “as you wete.”