FOOTBALL.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 45, 30 March 1914, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

. ASSOCIATION GAME.

Considerable interest was taken tU the opening game of the Soccer seasoh at Corinthian Park on Saturday, and

thus early in the season there was quite a good turnout of enthusiasts to cheer the Linwood Club on in their endeavours to gain a firm footing with the Canterbury Centre. The ground if - self came in for the usual criticism and comment, but on the whole it . was, subject to improvements, of a satisfactory nature. The surface is decidedlylumpy and in its present condition would be grumbled at for competition games. With a few wet days coming

along, a heavy roller would work won-

ders. The grass should be cut shorter at once in preparation for the rolling, and it will then be clearly seen which parts require particular attention. "The ground, as marked out on Saturday, seemed to be on the narrow side. If so, this should be remedied, as a pitch at all narrow to a great extent spoils play. Cramped football is too_often to be seen on a maximum ground, so that the fault does n,ot require' encouraging. It is fairly apparent that the- Linwood officials know what they are about, and there is no doubt the necessary work will be put in hand at the earnest possible moment. . Little,, if anything, can be attempted until the ground receives a thorough soaking. Fullarton and Norman not having arrived baek from the North Island as expected, and Bissett being' unable 'to get leave of absence, gave some of the reserves a gape. Mitchell, a new arrival of considerable reputation from the Qld\ Country, Mayo and Conquest, 0/ Sydenham, filled the vacant positions. .

Play in the opening stages tvas interesting arid fairly .even. Wood and Clay were first triers for their respective sides. Conquest and Wood were early prominent and the former had'the first goal frtfm a good run by Tanner. The best wing pair was on the Bliies' left, Grant and Tanner combining in nice fashion, giving Mitchell, I Mayo, and Watgon more work than they were anxious for. Three more : speedy extreme wings than ' Ward, Tanner, and Wood would be hard to find. For a first appearance, Mitchell made a favourable impression; the feature of his play is his placing-to the forwards. On Saturday he was inclined to be a trifle slow in partingwith the ball, bordering on selfishness. The same remark applies to Watson, of the United, a player of undoubted ability, fast and tricky; but both on last year's form' and, oil Saturday, of no use to his side. If this player Would be content to beat one opponent, draw the defence- and part with the ball/ rep. honours might come his way. No one player has ever yet been able to play a whole team, and never will. Play lacked the sting of a competition tie, the players taking things easy.' The rival half-back lines were fairly good, but sadly in want of training. The Blues' defence outshone their opponents', M 'Farlane playing hisusutfl seemingly unconcerned game. He was well supported by Baker, who, noiw he has decided to play senior, will be more heard of. Wardell played as Wardell always, does play. -What a tower of strength he wouUl be to any club if a matter of six.inches taller! A. harder grafter does not play the game in Canterbury. Williamson played out of his usual position and was timid, no doubt he still remembers his ankle trouble of last season. Tennant had little of consequence to do. Taken all over, the game was a good one, and if nothing more, will bring forcibly home to those taking part the necessity of at once getting into strict training. I understand the takings at the gate were quite satisfactory. Mitchell has signed on for Linwood, and will play centre-half. Wainseott, Sydenham's clever little outside left of last has decided to apply for his transfer to junior ranks. Although of undoubted ability, his advancement to senior last season was not in his best interests, as. yet only a boy of 18 he is up against too heavy odds in the senior ranks, and is well advised to wait awhile.

The Rangers Club held an enthusiastic meeting last Wednesday, when the advisability of entering a senior team was carefully discussed. It was decided to have a practice match on Saturday to further ascertain their strength, ' a ' final decision to be arrived at at a later meeting. The Bangers Club has. a standing which should warrant their taking thi* step, ami in view of the number of entries at 'present in, would make an even number of teams in the competition. Linwood's experience might be pointed out as an example. Gi,ven the same support from the same quarter, they would have nothing to fear. This support is assured them; so that there is every likelihood of the old Thursday team gaining sufficiently in strength to at. any rate hold its own with most of the opposition. Two teams will be nominated from Spreydon Club at Tuesday's meeting of the Management Committee. Eoyal blue and cardinal hoops are their colours. I understand second and third grades are their intentions. The junior and third grade will consist of at lekst eight teams. With a view to satisfactorily grading players, a suggestion to open with a friendly round next Saturday will be brought forward at Tuesday's meeting of the C.F.A. by the Match Committee. Should the suggestion be adopted, the following Saturday being Easter, the competitions proper will not commence until the 18th. Mornington (Dunedin) pay their return visit to Nomads on Easter Saturday ? and, should their full strength make the trip, a good go will no doubt eventuate. The blue and blacks' quarters are a strong foree in Otago football, several rep. players being mem-

foers. It has been suggested to play "the game in the morning. The secretary of Blackburn Rovers (England) reports that in eight away league matches the Rovers have attracted gates amounting to £9135, an average of £114.0. These figures are amazing, and have never been equalled for. eight successive games. The Newcastle United Club in its zenith never drew, gates like this. Strange to say, the Rovers' home gates are £4OO down as compared with last season. Truly wonderftil finance. Glasgow, Celtic, and Rangers, Everton, Aston Villa, .Newcastle United, and Blackburn JBfcvers are said to be the six richest ■clubs in the Old Country. . The total gate receipts for the second around of the English Football Association Cup amounted £18,311. .-A man of forty, and fit! Derby ■County had the courage to ask Stephen Bloomer to play , centre farward against Bradford City, and Bloomer had the confidence to do so. Bloomer was 40 the previous week, and a? far as I: know the famous international is the only man who has ever taken part j in a first division match after his for-1 tieth birthday. Even Ernest Needham must yield here. The famous Welsh' international, Meredith, hopes to beat this easily, as he is only in his thirtyflighth year and has all the vitality and buoyancy of Peter Pan. Yivian Woodward has turned 34 and has an international amateur badge for every Trirthday that has passed and 16 international caps, and is still adding to .his collection. Bloomer, Meredith, and Woodward all bear witness to the value of football as a. preservative of youthful activity. But Bloomer as a centre forward at 40 suggests that there is •a great scarcity of liis type.

We all record how delightfully prolific of surprises cup tie football is, "tut whatever the season may yet hold, can be nothing more sensational than the triumph of Queen's Park, an amateur club,_over Falkirk, the. Scottish cup holders, on the Falkirk ground in the first round of the Scottish Cup. It is safe to say that even to Queen's Park the victory came as a startling, though sweet, surprise. • UNO.