ASSOCIATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 3034, 8 May 1912, Page 53

ASSOCIATION.

By Left Winq.

The team which lines out with an unpractised goalkeeper to replace one who has been trained in the art of goal defence starts out with a serious 'handicap. The substitute, may shape very well, and if he is not troubled with very difficult stuff he may hold the fort effectively. But ■*"* goal defence cannot be picked up in a stray half-hour—it is the product of much experience, covering attacks of every description. The eye, the nerve, the hand, must be trained by experience and observation. Thus we seo Thompson, who as 'prentice custodian for Kaitangata last year caused anxiety, this year, with increasing experience, dealing confidently and accurately with tho shots fared at him. Which paragraph opens the way for the remark that the absence of Harrison from gcJ was a serious hadndicap to Ravensbourne on Saturday. And this implies uo reflection upon his substitute, M'Galium, who without the experience could not be expected to copa with the strenuous demands of the day. This same M'Callum, it may be added, but for*his youth would probably be included in the forward line. Apart from this handicap in goal, however, Ravensbourne wore easily the weaker combination. Their wo?k was of a straggling character, especially on the right wing. And yet they gave the impression that tnoy might easily be'otherwise. Most of the men seemed to have 'ability and energy, and all seemed to be triers, but the sum total did not seem to represent the full measure of which, the individual merit seemed to give promise. On the previous Saturday Ravensbourne drew v.ith Morningfcoai, who on paper seem to l»e a fairly strong side. Ravensbourne, therefore, zeoai to be capable of better things than were apparent on Saturday against'Kaitanga.ta and we shall meantime suspend judgment, merely mentioning the splendid work of M'lvor and the promise of good things when Wilson (late of Port Chalmers Rugby) gets into his *trido. Kaitangata impress as a distinctly promising team this year again. Their wins against High School Old Boys (a matcti annulled) and Ravensbourne were gained by big margins reaching 5 goals on eaoh occasion, whilst only 1 goal has been scored against them. ThWe they have accomplish id without the help of their sterling forward Johnston, who, it is understood, has settled in Timaru. Of the old players, Thompson is doing splendid work in the forwards. Ho has good command of the ball, an attractive style, and is a demon for getting goals from either the toe or the head Ho is a colonial, product of which there is every reason to be proud. He is the only forward of last year to retain a place in this year's eleven. Of the new men, Hay, a small right. winger, is a heady player, and, with "Vernon, worked the right wing to good purpose on Saturday. In the backs there are still, in' addition to the goalkeeper, those three stalwarts Penman, Rarity, and Middlemass. Rarity, at left half, is still the same shrewd, calculating Scotchman, never appearing to be hurried, but always seeming to be near the right spot. If a weakness may bo iirged against him. it is that he does.not follow up hie forwards closely enough. a.nd that he sometimes does the work which ought to be left to his full back. Penman's length of limb is still a.i usefully applied as ever. It must, give a feeling of comfort to a goalkeeper to have so faie a player be : tween him and the advancing forwards. Middleman was given the duties of right half instead of centre, and was as steady and reliable as ever. Melville will have to reach a high standard of consistency if he is to justify his supplanting of Middleman as centre. I should ljke to see him at work before expressing an opinion as to his merits. O'Hata as centre forward was disposed to lie too far back. Mr Reynolds, who, as "Centre Half," conducts the Association Football Column in the Dominion, and with whom "Left Wing' 1 has enjoyed a lively crossing of swords—or. we should say, of that weapon which is claimed to be mightier, to wit, the pen—has l>een spending a few days in Dunedin and Imercarpill. Mr Reynolds tolls of great progress in connection with the code in Wellington. Over 1500 persons are playing soccer football in Wellington this season. In the schools the game has a vigorous life The successful flotation of the new ground proposal was a great " scoop." destined to give an emphatic impetus to the game in the Empire City. Two questions commended to the consideration of tb'">se concerned: Why has KoslyrWaka.ri left as a sorry contrast to its mathematically correct opposite, one crazy. Inebriated goal post pathetically tied up -with cord? Why did the High School Old Boy* allow one of their seniors to detract from (he dignity of his club by appearing on the lei 1 in a tunic not in conformity with the club's colours? SATURDAY'S MATCHES. FTRST GRADE - Kaitangata t. Ravensboubne. Kaitangata and Ravensbourne met on the

f Asylum Ground, which was in gocd order. Rayensbourne were without the services of their goalkeeper, Harrison, who was replaced by M'Callum. Kaitangata faced the sun, and after a few momenta of mid-field play- worked down the right wing. The ball was swung across the goal, and O'Hara, rushing in, smothered the defence and drew first blood. The lapse of but a few minutes eaw M'Callum (full-back) foul in the penalty area. Melville took the penalty kick, and registered a second goal for Kaitangata. The Ravensbourne vanguard] lacked cohesion, and although the backs frequently paved the way for advances, Kaitangata's goal was not frequently imperilled. A third goal came to the miners from the useful foot of J. Thompson, whose not less effective head shortly afterwards finished off a fourth score from a good centre by Hay. Raveiisbourne's opportunity looked nigh, when the ball went curving towards Kaitangata's goal, but the sphere rose too much, striking the bar. Indifferent play ensued till half-time, prior to which there had been two brief stoppages owing to knocks received by Davis, one of Ravensbourne'a front rank. The opening of the second spell was signalised by a brief blustering storm, which left behind it a wind which hindered accurato play. Ravensbourne started very promisingly, but lost opportunities by hesitating before the goal. Rarity was conspicuous for shrewd defence. The Kaitangata men were eound in defence, and altogether proved the more aggressive and more effective combination. From a strong Ravensbourne run Cairney drove hard from straight before goal, and it was only the prompt, quick-sighted movement of goalkeeper Thompson, who went down to the ball, that prevented a score. M'lvor and Rodger made sound defence for Ravensbourne, repeatedly staying the attack and (riving the ball to their forwards, who made indifferent use of it. Maines put in a good corner kick, which Penman's timely head directed out again. From a quick charjge Rarity dropped in a neat corner kick, which J. Thompson headed through, raising Kaitangata's score to 5. Ravensbourne rushed the ball to Kaitangata's defences, and WUBon, lying well down, steadied, and with a stinging drive scored a fine goal for Ravensbourne. Following up their success, Ravensbourne pressed. Cairney lifted over the bar, Ravensbourne's right wing missed a splendid cross when right in front of goal, and Maines went close with a likely effort. Kaitangata again asserted themselves, two shots by Bennie giving anxious moments to the defence, but without further ecore the game, controlled by Mr Preston, ended: Kaitangata. 5 goals. Ravensbourne ... 1 goal. Northern v. High School Old Boys. Against High School Old Boys, at the Gardens Ground, Northern opened with great spirit, forcing play to such purpose that while the first spell was yet young they led the Old Boys by 3 goals to nil. Northern 6 goals. High School Old Boys ... 3 goals. - ROfcLYN-WAKABI V. CHRISTIAN BROTHERS. Roslyn-Wakari met Christian Brothers at Culling Park. Roslyn-Wakari 5 goals. Christian Brothers 1 goal. Maori Hill v. Mornington. There was a large attendance of spectators at Mornington Ground, which wee in good order. Mornington wore without the services of D. Bailhe and Kelly, their places being filled by Gallan and D. Haig. Mornington ~.. ..... ... 2 goals. Maori Hill ... 2 goals. SECOND GRADE. Mornington 10 goals; High School Old Roys nil - THIRD GRADE. Roslyn-Wakari beat 0.8.1 by 3 goals to nil, Wilde, Pledger, and Sim being the scorers. Northern 10 goals; Christian Bros., ] goal. Mornington, 3 goals, Maori Hill, 2 goals. FOURTH GRADE. Northern A, 6 goals; Mornington, 1 goal. Roslyn-Wakari, 5 goals; Northern B, niL Ravensbourne, 5 goals; High School, 2 goals. Maori Hill, 4 goals; Christum Bros., 1 goal.

>• 0 t o 5 Si 8 G I >j o 1 E 8 V s K |S X p a O a Roslyn-Wakari 2 2 0 0 6 3 4 Christian Brothers 2 1 1 0 3 4 2 Kaitajigata 1 1 0 0 5 1 2 Mornington 2 0 0 2 4 4 2 Northern 2 1 1 0 7 5 2 Maori Hill 2 0 1 1 4 5 1 Ravensbourne 2 0 1 1 3 7 1 High School Old Roys 1 0 1 0 3 6 0