Association Football.

Free Lance, Volume II, Issue 57, 3 August 1901, Page 21

Association Football.

The Charity Cup found six competitors, but only four were engaged in combat on Saturday, as, according to rules, there shall be no byes after the first round; thus Diamond and Rovers were drawn to have byes on Saturday. Diamond were not minus a match all the same, as they found sport amongst the team from H.M.S. Archer, now in port, and a really first-class rendering of the game was given by the latter, despite their long absence from the turf, and the want of combination and practice. The hxtuic for the Charity Cup between Swifts and Petone, which wdb played at Petone, was a really good game, and quite a contrast to pievious performances by the suburban lepiesentatives. They weio all out on Saturday, and Bcrnsten, the well-known goalkeeper, wai, for the first time tint, season, playing for Petone.

They must be congratulated for making such a determined stand against the Cup winners. It looked as though it was to be a drawn game, as within fifteen minutes from the call of time both teams had one goal to their credit, but games ha,ve been won and lost in less than that time, and on Saturday Swifts soon rattled two more goals through, making the result decisive. Bernsten might have saved the first goal obtained by Swifts. By some means he fumb'ed the ball, and appeared to step in the goal mouth, and lost possession of the ball, and next thing he noticed was the ball lying on the other side of the goal line. Williams and Johnson obtained the other two goals for Swifts. Johnson's goal especialy was a well-deserved one, and the result of a grand passing rush. Martin, in the half division for Swifts, played a good game. He has never taken my fancy for brilliancy of play, but on Saturday he did a lot of useful work. Perhaps, the fresh air of the suburbs had something to do with it' Hawkins gives one the impression of a full-back player rather than a halfback. His fault lies in kicking too hard. Sloman, his partner, plays an ideal game. His play on Saturday was perfect, and was a valuable factor to the day's success. The other match, which took place at Miramar, was played under very unfavourable circumstances. The wind was in fuller force than the Red Cross, who met Swifts 'B " and were minus the services of McLeod, Dixon, McKeowen, and Will. o\\ ing to these absentees, coupled with the prevailing inclemency of the weather, the game was a disappointing one. Swifts had by far the best of the game, and had a strong team. Contrary to the rules, two new players were filling up the gaps for Red Cross, in the persons of the two young Alpes. Fred Alpe, who played centreforward, played a most brilliant came, and a credit to any senior player, and, considering the extreme difficulties he was labouring under, his exhibition was highly creditable. Fitzgerald, in goal, had plenty to do, his work being excessive on account of the gale and the feebleness of the defence. Four times he was thrown to the ground, and, taken all round, his exhibition of goal-keeping was one which might c ] aim the attention of the selector. His vis-a-vis, Salmon, who is fast gaining a reputation, had little or nothing to do, and the goal which Red Cross obtained was no fault of his, as he was engaged at his toilet when he was awakened to the fact of the intrusion of the ball in his territory. Duff and Churchward were seen to advantage, as full-backs, and were playing well up the field. Churchward and Gibb (of Red Cross) were constantly in conflict, and were often seen shouldering each other, with the result at times of a fall. West, Staples, and Dawson were the half division rear guard, and put in plenty of useful work. Staples was the pick of the trio. The forwards all played rattling games, and were incessant in their work to notch goals, and succeeded on three occasions, Ellis (2) and Cloke being the goal getters. Mayer, who plays in the centre of the forward pack, had plenty of field work, and did it well. He kept his wing mates in check, and fed them with the ball to excellent advantage. Ellis, who plays inside right, and Cloke outside left wingers, were most prominent, and played dashing games. Their scores were the result of repeated endeavours to score. Crespin, whilst playing a good game, larks the art of passing. At times he passes too soon, and at others he holds the ball too long, and loses it. Isaacs met an opponent in Smith, but did good work, despite his propensity to "fag." His corpulency of body appeared to interfere with his pace, but not with his tackling and defence. The secretary of the New Zealand Association has received a wire from Auckland to say that the City Council has approved them the use of the Domain for the representative match with Auckland for August 24th. The Finance Committee of the Wellington Football Association have decided that the team shall travel by rail to New Plymouth, and from New Pymouth to Onehunga by steamer, and from Onehunga to Auckland by rail, leaving Wellington on Thursday morning, aaniving in Auckland on Friday morning, and on the return leaving Sunday morning, and arriving back on Monday night. Such a pioposed trip should inspire zeal amongst the candidates for the representative toam, as it wi'l afford plenty of pleasure by rail and sea, and will break the usual mode of conveyance by sea right through.