ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 763, 21 July 1916, Page 2

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

NOTES AND COMMENTS. The Canterbury Football Association commenced its second round on Saturday last, and a reconstruction of some of the teams resulted in more even contests. Sunnyside, unfortunately, found it impossible to continue, owing to shortage of players, but an effort is being made by the governing body to induce some of the latent talent to bestir itself and take an interest in the popular hospital team in a practical manner, by signing on. The Sunnyside ground is second only to English Parkas a play'ng pitch, and visitors invariably enjoy their games out there. If is to be hoped that the team will once more take the field, and thus avoid the evil consequences of a bye in the senior grade. Following that delightful inconsistency—that peculiar trait which sets the ordinary layman wildly guessiug—so dear to our local executive—-a third grade ni.ltfh provided the curtainraiser at English Park, and was followed at '.'> o'clock—mark the time—by the Li 11 wood-United match. It would appear, by the Match Committee's reasoning, that Cup matches are a mere detail of the season's sport and are altogether too insignificant to receive serious attention. Hence 40 minutes' more daylight was allotted to Saturday's match at the park, showing a clear 50 per cent, superiority between a Cup and a League contest in the hitler's fax our- a world' record, which Canterbury should be proud (?) to relain.

Sumner and St. Albans wore opponents in the third grade match,- the former tinning out in their newly registered it'll mill black hoops—the ilefnnct Ihirnliain <'lull's colours. Our unconsciously looked round for the familiar figures of Bissit, Arehey, ami K. Norman. IST. Albans proved too good for -the Sumner institute, and shoved -superiority forward, and in individual merit. Considering the difficulties existing, Sumner possesses n remarkable team — all the players, except three, being deaf mutes, and it stands to the credit of their coach that they turn out in such n marked state of efficiency. Richardson, in goal, shows some ability, but, is inclined to edge to the corner' or".goal nearest play. It is easier and safer to meet a shot than cover a kick directed on the blind side. Smith was the best of the backs, whilst Side—a verv light youth, and Strange were the pick of the halves. Rangihinui made a. het'tv outside left. Knight and O'Neill combined nicely, but, did not make the most of their opportunities. Te-Jicu-h'cu and Williams comprised the strongest wing, the latter having no superior on the field. Mis line sprints and centres were a treat to watch. For St. Albans ft Pobbs, in goal, was not overworked, being covered by safe defenders iti Flint and .Jewell. L. Dobbs- was the best half, and Donaldson, at outside right, was always prominent. With care he should develop into a fust-class winger. J. Watson, at centre, shows selfishness, and would be wise to remember he is not the. only pebble on the beach. Reid would also improve by being niQ.ro decisive in looking for scoring cinv'-r--:

• Lduwood v. United. The Linwood team which commenced the season would hardly he reco«l»ssed in that which row takes the field" and, with ordinary perseverance, they will seriously challenge the leading division on the championship ladder." United were without the services of Ale Farlane, Studholme, and Lowe—one of its strongest trios—and they must he con sidered decidedly lucky'in sharing the points. Excepting in the final stage of the match, when they were all over their opponents, they hardly had a look in, and it is open to question, whether the equalising goal was legal. If Olap6am cleared his goal, after Bennett's mistake, when the ball was actually over the line, he must have performed a most remarkable feat. Considerable doubt existed in referee MeLachlnn's mind when he found it necessary to consult both linesmen, who declined to express an opinion. Taking the Fug lish Football Association rules for what they are worth, it distinctly states in law 4 (instructions to referees): ''A referee must tinder no circumstances allow a goal unless he is absolutely satisfied that it is a goal.'' A consultation with a lineman immediately proves uncertainty, and, on the face of this ruling, should be entirely unnecessary. In spite of four goals being registered, only one deserved recognition. As a matter of fact, Linwood-scored but one goal, an<] that from a double-barrelled penalty —the second being netted by Bruerton—the United back, in making an effort to clear. Nelson's goal was beautifully worked for, and beat Bennett all the way, and the doubtful goal already referred io formed the climax of a peculiar day's harvest. Swift hail a very busy day, but played up fo his sound reputation. For 11. Bruerton the game provided a chapter of accidents. He was responsible for the penalty in the first place, and was again the means "of the kick being retaken by being in front of the ball when Swift put Xewall's shot over the bar. Later he experienced the mortification of beating his own goalkeeper. Biggs, VV. Bruerton, and. Sowmau were nonentities as halves before the interval, but consider" 'ably improved in the second spell. After Nelson resumed his usual position at outside left a marked difference was noticeable, lie is essentially a winger. Smith and Perry combined nicely, but the latter was kept very quiet by the defence. Kennedy was prominent, but over anxious. Hawkins indulged in his usual habit of taking pot shots, and spoilt what, would otherwise be good play. Bennett, in goal for Linwood, had ample time to (dear Perry's shot by using a keeper's privilege to handle, and his miskick proved disastrous. Ran ilall and Grngan were good, and worked well behind one of the strongest halfback lines in the competition. Newall was erratic at. limes, but is an acquisition. The two wings, Simpson and Ileatlev, were inconsistent, and mixed their play considerably. Johnston shows improvement, and appears to have corrected his solo play to some extent. Parleft frequently overran the ball, and lost several excellent, scoring opportunities in his anxiety. Harris put in the best shots of his side, and was per haps unlucky in not registering. St. Albans met Nomads at North Park, ami, with a considerably strengthened team, extended their douglity opponents all the waw The "Saints'' have yet

to record their first win, but are gradually strengthening their team, and will ! no doubt commence their ascent of the | championship ladder at the expense of some of their previous victors. Marker, late of Sunnyside, is an acquisition in I he defence, and Jones has strengthened the forward line. With a capable shootist at centre and a be(ter combination of attack, more goals will be scored. "Forward" would like to know why Wood, of the Nomads, was not reported to headquarters for leaving the field without permission of the referee. His was a most flagrant breach of the rules, and simply proves the contempt in which the laws of the game are held by players, and the slipshod methods of the C.F.A. in not assorting its authority. Hangers and St. Pede 's occupied Xo. L' pitch, and both grounds should have been disqualified before the matches commenced. In defence of the referees it is unjust to expect correct decisions when a playing pitch is neither marked out nor corner flags provided, and when players pay a registration fee it is only fair that they should be entitled to a little consideration in this direction. Again, it is only a matter of time before a complaint will be made against players changing into their football attire in full' view of a public thoroughfare. Those responsible for this state of affairs should be made to shoulder their

responsibility. Juggling with the Rules. Following on a protest in the Lin-wood-Rnngers match against short time being played in their Cup-tie engagement, a l'eligthy discussion took place at the C.F.A. 'meeting last Monday night, when the protest was dismissed. The rulings of the governing body are truly wondrous strange, but entirely consistent with history. A breach of Law J of the Football Association's rules, under which the local executive conduct, the game, -was admitted by the referee, unwillingly endorsed by the chairman, and yet' the law was openly ignored by a majority of an intelli- : gent executive. The' association has established a precedent whereby any of the 17 official rules under which one game is played may be openly violated and no one be penalised. It is to be hoped that such occasion will not arise; vet that is the unenviable position the C.F.A. Executive now holds. For the benefit of the uninitiated it may be explained that Law 2 reads as follows: "The duration of the game shall bo 90 minutes, unless otherwise mutually agreed upon." Bearing on the point referees are instructed: "Unless a referee is notified to- the contrary by the two •captains, he must, under ordinary .circumstances., continue the game for 90 minutes. There is no power to set aside the Rules of Cup and other Competitions, where the time to be played is specified." In the match concerned the referee played the game 80 minutes without authority, and it must be admitted there was ample .justification for a protest when only one goal was scored. The Rangers Club is privately forwarding details to the Football Association, London, for a ruling. Referee Thomlov 's resignation was accepted by the C.F.A. at its last nieetrnf. a transfer to the Nelson district making the step necessary. Mr Thornley's excellent services to the sport "■ere eulogised by members present, and a, record was made, on the minutes to that effect. A function of a social nature is to be held at the Y.M.CA. next Tuesday, when, the Mayor, as patron of the Rangers Club, will unveil the roll of honour. A musical programme is being arranged by the president of the C.F.A., ami all soccerites are invited to attend. To-morrow's senior fixtures are a■■ follow: Rangers v. Nomads. English Park, 3 p.m. Ht. Albans v. St. Bede's, North Park, " P-" 1 - United v. B.C.TT., North Park. ?, p.m. Linwood. a bye.