ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 787, 18 August 1916, Page 2

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

SLACKERS IN THE GAME. "Not one team in the Canterbury Foot .bail Association's first grade competition fielded a full complement of players on Saturday last. In some cases only.six men turned up to do duty, and the St. Bede's Nomads fixture was abandoned early in the name, it being evi .dent that a continuance would simply reduce the match to a farce. The sports inen('l) who consistently turn down their clubs, at every available opportunity \ have been, condemned previously in these columns, and it is a pity that a clause could not be inserted in .rule 7, governing the C.F.A. competitions, that would effectively deal with this (lass of player. It would be interesting to know how many of the absentees have fulfilled their financial obligations to their respective clubs, and secretaries would do well to note the circumstances for further reference. The English Park Gaines. English Park was in a particularlybad state, in spite of the drying conditions of the previous week. A miniature lake a few yards in front of the ■western goal made tilings decidedly unpleasant, and practically the whole of the ground was in a sloppy condition. Players, however, adapted themselves to the depressing conditions with surprising good humour, and derived endless amusement when friend or foe ungracefully slithered through the mud. One player, after being partly submerged, "brought down the house 1 ' by complacently indulging in a thorough wash before resuming, only to be incontinently tumbled in the mud a few moments later. ' Cadets A recorded their second win by accounting for Boys' Gordon Hall by four goals to two, in the third grade competition. The Cadets have not yet . assimilated many fine points in the game, most of the goals being scored by bunched forward rushes, the ball being rushed between the posts by sheer weight of numbers. Whether by accident or design, the modus operandi was correct, as a fall was all that was required in swarming over the defence. Boys' Gordon Hall attempted concerted movements at times, but the conditions ■were against scientific, play, and the Cadets' back division was always equal to in ividual efforts. The Cadets have some fine material to work on, and with , attention to detail —not in a vocal direction—they must develop into a very . solid combination. Linwood v. Boys' Gordon Hall. The ground had to be entirely remarked before a start could bo made ■With the senior fixture, and the latter was consequently commenced late. The greens mustered eight men, Johnson, Bandall, and Bennett (the latter owing to sickness) being the absentees, whilst Hilgrove, on the injured list, was absent from the B.G.H. eleven. From the kick-off it appeared that weight of numbers would be the deciding factor, as the reds registered in the first few minutes. Experience, however, ultimately won the day, the superior generalship s <t£W'. Harris being very marked. Prac-ticalty-every goal was scored from a, solo run, the Linwood forwards outpacing the opposition, each time. The formation of Ihe B.G.H. defence; should have been readjusted to counter the tactics of the opposition, and a half, playing deep, would probably have checked the centre breakaways. Ensor invariably place! the ball well forward between halves and back, and relied on the superior speed- of Harris and Parlett to do .the rest, a stratagem which usually succeeded. Players showed a decided aversion to the water, and several excellent scoring chances were thrown away by shooting outside the "wet area" in front of the western goal. Pilcher, in goal for the reds, saved some remarkable shots—particularly in the first half. He should persevere. Pass put up a robust defence at solo back, and Coomber was always handy ami showed good judgment. Belshaw was inconsistent, ami Harris (the B.G.H player of that ilk) was not impressive. Polio worked hard, but tired towards the end. Kelly missed several . fine scoring chances owing to his obI jection to a possible cold douche. Nicholson was hardly distinguishable, but put in some excellent runs. The Rev. Tainui was disappointing. Besides missing a few line openings, he was often pulled up for off-side play. Marshall played the best game for his side, and was a source of constant anxiety to the opposing defence. \ Claphain filled Bennett's place in goal for Linwood, and acquitted himself . well. Grogan was not always safe, but Elisor and Newall showed line judgment and worked together well. Their placing continually hoodwinked the opposition and opened the way for successful attack. Of the forward quartette, : W. Harris and Parlett divided the scoring honours. The latter, in particular, simply revelled in the mud and showed surprising pace. The wingers, Heatley and Simpson, put over some welldirected centres, and ably assisted the inside duo. Linwood is steadily climbing the championship ladder, and should be -within striking distance of •the leaders before the season closes. Rangers v. St. Albans. Bangers were represented by seven, and St. Albans by 10, in their fixture at North Park, Grey, Mills, McLachlan, and Tait being the royal and blacks' absentees. Good luck ably assisted the weaker team, however, and although Bangers evonfually won by the only goal scored, St. Albans ' practically monopolised the whole of the attack. Shot after shot at close, range went, nailing over the bar or was so weakly delivered at the target that, East had no difficulty in clearing. Gordon, at I back, worked like a Trojan, and played his finest game of the season. Beauvais also was one. of the most conspicuous players, and made the, pace solid throughout. McCourtney was on the injured list, and was really unfit to play. The forward trio vied' with each other in their quest for work, and certainly found it in abundance. Harwell showed up well, and continually slung over excellent centres. Pilling was in one of his best moods. Gabriel, on Ids showing, is worthy of a further trial, and will probably justify his inclusion in the team. Shilston was the missing link of the St. Albans team, but otherwise a fairly representative side turned out. A 'lack of combination, however, was very noticeable ami the opposing forward trio adopted hustling tactics which con- , tributed considerably to the defeat. Nichol was taken completely by sur- ; prise when Pilling slipped through with jhe only goapof the match. Audibert, a

Rangers player, somehow donned the wrong colours and filled the right back position for St. Albans. Had the "Saints" wou the match the presence of this player would have been hard to explain to the C.F.A. Mahan was prominent at times, but his ankle still appears to be giving trouble. Preddis is also still on the injured list, but he acquitted himself well. Christie gave one of his best exhibitions and gave the forward line innumerable scoring opportunities. Harker, at outside right, was obviously at sea in that position. He is essentially a back. Jones was nippy and should have scored on more than one occasion. Watson and Burgess were responsible for most of the attacking movements but found Referee Perry on the elert for off-side play, and their finishing shots were invariably spoiled by wild kicking. It is unfortunate that the St. Bede's team is having such a hard time to keep together. On last year's performances it gave promise of developing into a formidable combination. Numerous enlistments have deprived them of some of their best talent, and any unsigned player' who would assist the club would render the sport a service by signing on. FORWARD.