ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11685, 29 April 1916, Page 4

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

'» OPENING OF SEASON. A large crowd' gathered at English Park to witness the opening of the Association football season. A ; curtain-raiser between St Bedes, •winner of last year's school competition, and another picked team resulted iu a win for tlio former by two goals to one. Kingan scored twice for St Bedes and Donaldson for Schools. The following were the teams for the representative- match: — Blues.—Bennett, Flood. Johnson, Harris, Mitchell, Ivhouri. Gabriel, Howie, Perry. Grant, Parlett. Beds.---Swift, Rollo, Gordon, Beauvais, M'Courtney, Allan, Hawkins, Grey, Mills, Nelson, "Heattey. Referee, Mr J. Thornlcy. THE PLAY. Blues kicked off and immediately .set up a hot attack on the Reds' goal, Perry testing Swift with a hot shot, which was well covered. Blues came away again with Grant and Howie prominent, but Gabriel playing off-side spoilt a likely chance, Rollo returning well down. After a, spell of uninteresting play in midfield Howio secured and sent across, Parlett running strongly shot with a low shot. Blues 1. Red 0. R-eds asserted 1 themselves, and made a desperate- attempt to equalise, but wild shooting spoilt a good opening. A pretty opening was made for the Blues by Grant, whoso transfer was nicely taken by Perry. The latter shot well, Swift bringing off a fine save. Scores at half-time were— Bines I, Red 0. From the re-start Reds became aggressive. Nelson and Hawkins being prominent. Mills stopped x >ro g r(,ss through being off-side. Reds were now holding tlio Blues in check and forced a corner, which was abortive. Grant broke away and made a strong run. being nicely pulled up by Gordon, who was playing in. a fine game at back. After some good play by the Reds Perry secured and passed to Howie, who went on and passed' to Grant, who beat Swift, giving Blues a good lead. Bines 2, R-eds 0Bennetts was playing strongly in goal for the Blues, giving a line exhibition ojf punching, and many likely shots were neutralised by his play. Mills secured in a pood position, but hesitated too long, Flood robbing him of the ball. Time sounded with Reds attacking'. The final scores being— Blues 2, R-eds 0.