Association Football.

Free Lance, Volume I, Issue 51, 22 June 1901, Page 21

Association Football.

[By Goalkeeper.]

The game between Red Cross and Swifts lacked any of the features marking a good game. Swifts were eager for a good tussle, and doubtless Red Cross would have obliged them in that lespect but for the melancholy fact that they were without the valuable services of McLeod, Dixon, Adams, and Hall. Swifts had their full quota of players, and played a good, quiet game, whilst Red Cross had to play three substitutes, and, further still, had to play one man short. Such a handicap produced the inevitable result — a loss Keys, in goal for Swifts, had nothing to do. His position only furnished ■very Uttle work in the way of kickmgoff.

White played a neat, defensive game. He missed several chances, however, in not getting the ball more smaitly to Philips, who was lying in wait Kinmburgh, who appears to havo "come to stay," at full back (left), in my opinion, plays a better and moie useful game at full-back than at centieforward. His kicks were powerful, and, having acquired the 'bustle," so necessary among the forwards, he uses it with advantage. Hawkins, as usual, was the shining star of the halves. His play was determined, and almost faultless, save m a tendency to illuse a player by a slight infringement of the rules w lth reference to wilful handling. Martin, a player in the same division as Hawkins, was penalised for the above-mentioned infringement. His offence was an attempt to kidnap Smith by laying his hands round Smith's neck and persisting in leaving them there, too. What his motive was I do not know. He did not play a gam© worthy of his leputation. He is a second Courtney in proportions, and has a similar style of defence as the full-back gunner. Martin's weight apparently told against him when in pursuit of the ball. Smith, who is much lighter and fleeter of foot, was there before him, and naturally got his kick m first. Sloman, at centre-half, did a lot of useful work, played coolly, and fed his forwards excellently. Johnson, at centre-forward, was not of much service to his side in that capacity. His play was not at all prominent for such a responsible position, and he himself was noticeably absent when his> presence was urgently needed. Philips, who appeared to be doing his work in the centre as well as keeping his wing man Hales, played a "slashing" game in a quiet and unostentatious sort of a way. He took his time, and simply did as he liked with opponents and the ball. For scientific play he is about one of the best forwards we have at the present time in Wellington. Being tricky with head and feet, he can place the ball anywhere he desires. Hall, his assistant on the left-wing, is fas< , and centres well. But he is too apt to hang on to the ball, and he may well take a lesson from Philips in the passing line. Smellie, on the right mside, played very prettily, and used his head with excellent advantage to> his side. His wing man, Williams, played well, but did nothing startling. His passes at times were inaccurate, and could have been exceedingly better. For Red Cross, Fitzgerald had plenty to do but to allow four goals to slip his

hands is somewhat strange. The ball was greasy on account of the damp ground, and this rendered it difficult to stop the shots. In the second spell, he saved some "pets," and his exhibition in this, spell Mas a sufficient atonement for weakness in the first half. Dow sett and Jamieson played well, Dow sett especially saving repeatedly. His tackling was good, and he cleared advantageously. Will, at half, showed no "going power," and left the opposing forwards too many chances to pass the ball. McKeowen played as usual, having with him a substitute player, who hampeied his work to a large extent, owing to lack of knowledge of the game. Gibbs and Smith put in excellent work, Smith especially. He really never seemed to tire, and simply did as he liked with Martin. His efforts were deserving of better results. Registration of players by club secretaries, is testing their qualifications in this direction at least. A team with one or more unregistered players therein renders itself to be dealt with as the Wellington Football Association may desire. And, any club wilfully misrepresenting the status of a player is liable to be severely dealt with. So it behoves every club secretary to see that his playing teams for each Saturday are duly registered. A few protests nave already been won through somebody's carelessness in the matter. An excellent suggestion was put forward by Mr. J. J. Roberts at last meeting of the Wellington Football Association re the Referees Association. It was, that after the usual weekly meetings the Association should hold short discussions on rules among referees, theieby making that night the meeting of the Referees Association, all members of the Management Committee of the W.F.A. to be members. The suggestion is one which receives my most hearty support, and the secretarv of the Referees' Association should thank Mr. Roberts for seeking to lift from his shoulders a burden none too light to bear. Refeiees aie not too plentiful, and good talent in that thankless line are scarce, so that the proposed plan will be one of education and enlightenment to all concerned. A prominent referee, in the person of Mr. A. E. Gibbs, is laid aside by an illness, which will keep him out of active participation in the game for some time. I am glad, however, to hear that he is progiessing steadily towards recovery. Though absent in body, yet he is with us in spiut, and, as he is kept well informed of Association matters, we may expect to benefit indirectly from his illness. "It is an ill wind that blows nobody good."