THE ASSOCIATION GAME.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LV, Issue 13983, 14 August 1909, Page 5

THE ASSOCIATION GAME.

(By "Centre-Half.") The match between New Plymouth and Stratford no Thursday last was well fought out in more ways than one. The referee was not half strict enough, and ought to have penalised many players who should know the game better. The New Plymouth Clul played with ten men, and was with out Cooper in goal. Cooper is a use ful man, and it is a pity that he v prevented from travelling on these oc casioiis. Four goals to one appear to be. a decisive victory. But tin Stratford and New Plymouth eksveni aro an even' lot taking them all round Now Plymouth played against a sligh breeze in the first spell, and mad'

things a bit lively. It was thought that its men would walk round Stratford in the second half, but such was not the case. They showed a few splashes of brilliant play, but afterwards a tired feeling overtook them. The gentle art of charging an opponent seems to have almost disappeared. I am sorry for this. Above anythipg else I like to see a fair and square/ charge. This was not so on Thursday last. Both sides were guilty of some very unfair tactics. Many of the old players who should know the game „ have yet to be told to "play a clean game." 11 It was not a good exhibition of c "soccer" on Thursday last. At times } there were a few brilliant sparks of 11 play, which the spectators naturally - applauded. But real good football 9 was wanting. There were a few i breaches for off-side which were als lowed to be passed. In one instance ; a goal was Scored whon the player was , really off-side. But in a hot con- , test neither player nor spectator has ? the leisure time to reason the off-side - rule out on logical lines. Stratford ; possesses a good combination, although [ a few shine out above the rest. ColI lingwood was playing forward, but he i shows to advantage more as a back. He > is a safe and useful back. Barrett is : Stratford's new centre half — a good > player, but ho appeared to be too ex- <, cited in Thursday s match. He was • in the thick of the fray, and got a few , nasty bumps. He will be a good ■ acquisition to the Stratford team, but | must keep a cool head. Besant is a nippy player in the Stratford eleven, \ ana played a good clean game as inside left. Boole is a good full-back, but was slightly erratic. The New Plymouth team all plnvoil well, but the forr. .•.; !.,*(•«•*•,. Yont of goal. There was not one cle-p „.ot into goal. The forwards ajo All well fitted for the position • they occupy, but have not the happy knack of putting the ball through. They were well fed, too. No fault can be found with the back play as I regards that. New Plymouth possesses good forwards, and one expects them .to record a few goals at times. Bullot excels much better at "soccer" than at Rugby. He put in a few nice dribbling rushes, but he should keep his eye on Smart and he will find that "Jock" is up the field and not in a line with him. Bullot will, with a little coachings be a useful player. As I have said before, try and dovetail your style of play with your brother players, and watch the game. New Plymouth • requires a good centre forward to accompany G William, Elliot, Bullot and Smart. The backs are improving, and by sticking together should proro a good eleven. Next week the local men have a home match with Irigl'iwjodj and the week after should play their last odp fixture with Eitham. It is very probable that the Taranaki v. Auckland match wiH bo played in New Plymouth en September 9. Football and cricket go together in the Old Land. There are many plavera who are as clever in chasing the elusive little ball as hunting the equally elusive big one. Thus we have Jack Sharp of the Everton, who fills in the summer months playing cricket for Lancashire, and also distinguishes himself in test cricket. His club-mate, H. Makepeace, also appears in the cricket circle. J. Iremonger, of Notts Forest, has made a name for himself , in cricket. Vivian Woodward, of Tottenham, is a wicket keeper of no mean order. The Fosters of Worcestershire, C. J. Burnup, P. R. May and many others also excel at both football and cricket.