ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11755, 20 July 1916, Page 7

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

NEWS AND NOTES. (By CENTIIE-FORWARD.) Tho vagaries of " football luck," were much in ©videnco in the Linwood v. United match on Saturday. Linwood were undoubtedly tho better team on the day's play, yet on tho actual running their two goals were gifts from United. True, tho goal awarded in the dosing stages of tho game was a wrongful decision, and had either of tho linesmen declared "No goal," the referee would haro given the benefit to Linwood, but having to act on his own opinion lie awarded the scoro to United A correct and more equitable decision would havo been to bounce tho ball in the goal area. Linwood's firßt goal was from a penajty after tho second attempt, and the second one was put through by Bruerton from a miskick. United worn lucky to make a draw, as thoy were very weak in tho half-back lino, being without Low and Studholme, M'Farlane also being absent. Bennett gave a clinking display and brought off some clever saves. Randall was not up to form, but his partner, Grogan, was the best back on tho ground and got through some effective work without any effort. The half iine are perhaps equal to anything playing in Canterbury, and the club is fortunate in securing such a sparkling trio as Ensor, Newell and Clapham, each of whom did well. Tho forwards were not too impressive, and although, on paper, they are a splendid set, they do not seem able to score. Tho wing men, Heatley and Simpson,' missed easy openings, while Parlett and Johnson also Offended in this respect. The former has not kept up his form, which was so brilliant earlier in tho season. Harris put in a tremendous amount of work and had there been any combination goals, must have resulted.

Swift gave about his best display to date and simply had to be on the move from beginning to end. During the second spell he was particularly busy. Lusk was the best of the backs, though he was not as confident as usual; apparently Bruerton's mistakes made him nervy." Tho half line were all trieis but only gave a shadow of the display in previous games. Hawkin and Kennedy did not combine too well, though the former sent in some good centres. Perry is a great centre-forward, but he could link up his line more if he got into the midfield play, often a pass is wasted on this account. Smith improved on removal to inside position, while Nelson was credited with the two goals. Tho first was a fine effort and his run was quite electrical. On the ball being placed in the net a great hurst of applause -greeted the player. »• • 1

A lot of mistakes and uncharitable criticism, has been levelled at the gentlemen who control the varioxis games from week to week, and it is high time something was dono towards its suppression. Some of our referees oblige at great inconvenience to themselves, one having to pay somebody to look after the business each time he takes a. match. Surely these men are entitled to some consideration. The position has become serious,' and this week rosignntiou* have been received from two senior referees. Another will also bo unavailable for four Saturdays, and unless players are more considerate some of our moro neiTOus men will refuse to taka matches. The secretary of the C.R.A. has had a thankless ta&k trying to provide for all matches. One referee who had a "bad passage" last Saturday had the interest of players so much at heart thai> he refereed two matches, so as to fill the positions. Surely men who will devote so much of their time to give others pleasure are worth a little consideration. Instruction classes are provided on alternate Monday nights, and I am sure the Referee's Association would be pleased to welcome some of tho " quidnuncs" who are bo voluble at matches. V Apparently since the resignation of members of the Match Committee the placing of matches was left -to one official to arrange. Unfortunately, he lias only arranged one fixture for English Park. As the G.F.A. are in need of funds it is hoped that they will take the matter in hand until the Match Committee is in working order. As there is only one ground at which a "gate" can be taken, two matches are decidedly a bigger draw than one, and the North Park pitches are not in a fit condition for Senior fixtures. ••• Quite a record number attended the O.F.A. meeting on Mondlay last, and a lot of business was put throiigh. Owing to the amount of work which was unfinished, the meeting was adjourned till next Tuesday. Boys' Gordon Hall (Fourth Grade) protested against their match with St Albans, ana the matter was referred to the Match Committee. V

Nomads's (Third Grade) protest against St Albans, for playing an alleged senior player was dismissed. Sumner also protested against the same player, and referred to the bad state of the ground. As the referee had not declared the ground too bad to play ou, the protest was dismissed. The Rangiora Senior's protest against playing short time was the cause of considerable discussion. . .Referee Thornley put in a letter that the protest had been made to him, also one from the O.R.A. Mr Bentley introduced the matter at considerable length, showing how the law had been broken, and quoted O.F.A. rules, also English rules. The chairman admitted that a breach had been committed. On a vote being taken, the protest was dismissed' by 5 to 2. Four members did not vote. . At Mr Bentley's request, a record of those who had voted for and against was kept. *** Mr M'Lachlan handed in a cheque for £1 Is, as a donation from Sargood, Son and Ewen towards English Park finances. * * I * 1 The newly-formed club in connection with tli© Cad'ets of Ghristchurch has settled down to business, and at the "Barracks" on June 25 the club held its first general meeting, which was in every way a siiccess. The honorary secretary and organiser, _ Mr S. M. Pound, submitted rules, 'which were i iinanimously adopted. Mr Pound has evidently go no into the formation properly, and the compiling of tho rules proves that bo has a thorough knowledge of the lads he has undertaken to Took after and train. Unfortunately ho has only ono night each week and tho first and second Saturday in each month, yet he devotes theso few hours of.,spare time to the interests of the boys, who are grateful to him. * » «• Tho assertion has been mado that tho Da dots team was the outcome of selfish action on the part of the C.F.A. people of Canterbury, but the intention of the :)rganir;er is to form a "sports club" for tho boys. Every branch of sport is to bo undertaken, and instructors liavo already been sec-ured for tho formation of Rugby, boxing, single sticks md running clubs. Tile Cadets A and B teams met on Saturday, and the improvement in :heir play was very marked. ..They are ■apidly learning the tricks of the. game, md the match was full of promise. The spelling half was mostly in tho A's ter•ltory until lirydon got a. hefty luck ilong to Stafford, whoso neat pass was snapped up by E. Coombes, but I'ilcher ntereeptcd and tested Blackburn with 1. hot shot which was clev<viv savod. fiio play was transferred ro B's goal, 'jradlpy .wrm:; with a good shot. U's • i:i. :.

and his kick to Roid enabled the latter to BCoro.

Mr Pound got the B team together ab half-time and gave somo useful instruction which materially helped their play in the second half. They kept their places bettor and showed to advantage. Brydon has a strong kick,' and keeps his position well. Harry Stafford is as nimble as a monkey, and has the makings of a fine playor, but must keep his hands down. V. Munday proved quite a star, and is a credit to his side. Walton, Farquharson and Bradley showed fine combination, and with the speedy Taylor (captain) completed a very even team. » - The B team are much younger, but have pluck. C. and R. Coombes are very cool players, and are always on the ball. Muir is watchful, and always on the look-out for openings. Pilcher is a goer, and gets into his game with zest. His centres are very accurate, and his knowledge proves that he lias kicked tho round ball before, j Hill is surprisingly good, and lias the I makings of a top-notcher. Blackburn is a coming boy between the posts, and a fow more games will make him a hard nut to crack. Mills, Taylor, Barbour and Hartley ably assisted, and kept pegging away, although against heavier players. V S. M. Gabriel, late of Hangers, has transferred, to St Albans, and will play for them on Saturday against St Bedo's. V Sergeant '' Benny" M'Lachlan had quite a memorable send-off- on Monday night at Lyttolton. He was returning to his contingent at Trentham, and a large number journeyed to port to see tho genial Soccer soldier off. .*** United are giving a send-off to W. T. Bruerton at the Oxford Hotel tonight. Bruerton has been a popular member of this team for some time, and a general invitation is extended to all Soccer players to bid him good-bye. *•* A circular letter has been sent to all those interested in the schools competition, placing the position of English P<ijfk finance beforo them, and asking for any help towards the wiping off of the heavy interest and mortgage. All contributions are to be sent to Secretary Dugay on or before-July 27. Tho matter is urgent, and the outcome of the appeal will bo awaited with interest by all connected with the sport. FOURTH GRADE. The match between West Christchurch A and West Christchurch B, at North Park, was won by the former by two goals to nil. The scorers were Chetwin and Mollony. Mr E. Taylor was refereo V CANTERBURY ASSOCIATION. At the last xr eeting of the Management _ Committee of' the Canterbury Association there were present—Messrs English (in the chair), Pound, Dugay, Davies, Bentley, Nicholson, Golightly, Bunt, Thornley, MacLachlan, Connor and Gentles. _Mr J. Thornley tendered his resignation, on account 'of leaving Christchuich for Nelson. The resignation was received with regret, and a motion was passed expressing tho appreciation of the association of his work in connection with football.. Tho Nomads v. St Albans protest, held over from last meeting, regarding the eligibility of J. Watson as a Third Grade player, was dismissed, as it was found that this player had only played twice in Seniors. Sumner asked for a re-play of its cup match, on the ground that St Albans Park was not fit for football on the day the game was played. It was decided that a re-play cduld not be granted. i Boys' Gordon Hall's protest against a decision given by the referee was referred to the Match Committee. Mr P. L. Davis wrote forwarding a cheque for a guinea towards the park funds, and Mr MacLachlan handed in a letter from a well-known firm in Christchurch, wish a cheque for a guinea attached. The Defence Department wrote pointing out that a compulsory half-day parade for cadets would be held on Saturday, August 5, and asked the association to arrange accordingly, if possible. The matter was left in the hands of the Match Committee. The protest entered by the Rangers Club; on the grounds of short time, met with considerable discussion, but it was eventually found that the referee was quite within his rights-, and the protest was not upheld, the voting being 2 for and 5 against. Tho matches for the coming Saturday are arranged Sis follows: SENIORS. Nomads v. Rangers, at English Part; St Albans v. St Bedo's, a.t North Park; B.G.H, v. United, at North Park; Linwood, a bye. THIRD GRADE. "Western v. St Albans, at North Park; Nomads v. Sumner, at English Park. FOURTH GRADE. C-adets A v. St Albans, North Park; Oaaets B v. 8.G.H., St Albans Park; Technical A v. Nomads B, at th© Technical Ground; Linwood v. St Becle'a, at Park Royal; Nomads A v. Technical B, at Technical Ground.