ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

Otago Witness, Issue 1891, 1 May 1890, Page 26

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

The Northern Club was visited by a team from the Southern Club on Saturday, but instead of playing a club match trains were pick( d and captained respectively Dy Messrs Gardi - r (Northern) aud Leslie (Southern). The plajt ,-s have benefited greatly by the previous Saturday's praotice, and from tho kick-off the garno promised to be fast and keenly contested. Thn ball was kept travelling from goal to goal, p.? d any miskick by the backs was likely to result in a downfall to either goal, for the forwards, who were keeping their positions admirably, were well on the alert. Carver and Duucau (firwards) and Nicholson (half back) took the pi«y well into Leblie's grouud, aud gave Wilson an 1 Moncrieff some trouble, but Runcinian in £v.l was equal to clearing his charge. Leslie charg- <1 the veuve of play to the opposition's ground i.y a well-directed kick, but Grigg and Wii'ker socn returned the pi .y, and Runciman h <d to kio'-: well to again clear his charge. Laing a d M'lntoeh on Leslio's right made a nice passing run find crossed to the left, but their companions wov.i not forward, and the ball went over the gwl line. The perseverance of Gardner's team w«h deserving of reward, and Runciman allow* d them to score from a shot which he could lu-vo more easily handled than kicked, as there was .t spin on the ball, aud in endeavouring to stop ro it glided from his foot through. Shortly before half-time Carver got past Wilson, and before Moncrieff could intercept him made a long phot cleverly boyoud the custodian's reach. The second half was very much a repetition of tho first. Leslie's team worked hard and well, anil . Campbell was called upon to use bis hands repeatedly, while Gardner and Walker maintained a determined defence. A piece of exciling play in front of Gardner's goal resulted in its downfall by a swift shot from Macleod, who keeps place well and played most consistently throughout. Leslie's team worked keenly io make scores even, but at call of time a keenly fought and pleasant game resulted in favour of Gardner's team by two goals to one. For the winners Carver, M'Donald, Nicholsoi>, Walker, and Gardner played well, and for tbo losers M'Leod, Laiug, Crawford, Leslie, Moncrieff, and Runcimsn. Mr Gibbs (Southern) gave every satisfaction as umpire. At a meeting of the secretaries of the various clubs in the district, held on Wednesday evening, a card of fixtures for inter-club matches for the season was arranged. We understand the recently formed association clubs of Christchurch have sent a challenge to the Dunedin players to meet them at Chrif.lcburch on the Queen's Birthday to try issues. Players should take the hint to make the monk of opportunities for good practice, that a good representative team may be selected. The opening match of the Thistle Football Club was played on Saturday, when all tho members put in an appearance. Sides wero chosen by the captain and deputy-captain. The game was a very fast one throughout, eventually resulting in the defeat of the deputy's side by two goals to one. Some of the players snowed very good form, the most noticeab'a being M. Jamieson (captain), J. Morris (a sterling full back), J. Warden, W. Morris, and A, Ross.