Association Football. [By Goalkeeper.]

Free Lance, Volume II, Issue 63, 14 September 1901, Page 21

Association Football. [By Goalkeeper.]

Aitei a mentoiious \ ictoi v o\ei Auckland, on the latter's own giound the alttiation in the attacking \an oi the Wellington elm en in last Wednesday's game was much commented upon Tho foim shown in the first half b\ the thice inside men — Phillips, Mouat, and Fraw-r— led one to w ondoi wln a chance had been made With the assistance of a stiff bioe/,o the tno weio unable to hi oak through the Auckland defence The fact, however, must not be o\eilooked that the \isitois act<'d sol eh on the defence the ball \ei \ lately cross-

ing the half-way line. When eleven men play on the defence, and defence only, in Association, it is almost an impossibility to break through, and, with Kober in such good form, forwards of far more advanced "tuition" than Fi aser, Mouat, and Phillips would be handicapped. In Rugby, one has seventyfive yaids in which to score — in Association eight 3'ards by eight feet must be gauged. In the second half the local forw ards gave the spectators some idea of "socker" forward play as it should be. Some very pretty "bouts" of passing were indulged in, and, although only one goal was lecorded, the score does not in any way indicate the play. The local eleven held the upper hand throughout, and had the visitors played the open game in the first half the Otago score would have been equalled, if not surpassed. With the exception of Kober, Howie (substitute), Clark, and Meldrum, the visitors were 'patchy." Playing so soon after a sea voyage no doubt handicapped them severely. Kober, in goal, played a magnificent earae, and his saves were duly appreciated by the spectators. The- local team, with the exception of Phillips, all played well. In the first half, the Swifts' inside left was very selfish, and though he combined better during the latter spell, his exhibition was disappointing. His passing at tunes was wide, and in front of goal he lacked the necessary dash. I have seen him play a far bettor game, and must say he did not show anything like his true form. Mouat and Fraser both ]ustified their inclusion, and the way the little "Rover centred in the latter half w^as a treat With a dashing centre forward a number of goals would have been recorded by WeUington in the second spell. Mouat was in splendid form, and m him Diamond possesses one of the best forw ards in the colony. The defence of the visitors could not have been improved. The play of the half-back trio wa& one that our local halves would do well to cop> No wild or erratic kicking, but a welljudged pa^s to the forwards. Godber, Clark, and Renal, as a halfback trio, would be very hard to beat. The backs, although not so brilliant as in Auckland, were equal to the work. Fitzgerald, in goal, had a very easy time, for only once was his charge in actual danger. The annual ' social" of the Diamond Fooaball Club must be voted one of the successes of the season. A splendid gathering, an efficient band, an array of musical talent, and an energetic and obliging committee, made the time pass all too quickly. The Diamond secietary and committee are past masters in the art of entertaining, in fact, all the officials are to be congratulated on the 1 tenth annual " It was a success in every sense of the word. On the 21st instant the question of who shall hold the Charity Cup for 1901-1902 will be answered. Diamonds and Rovers are old opponents, and a game above the average is looked forwaul to. On the same day the Swifts

and Diamonds juniors will settle the question of the "Junior Challenge Cup," and, although Swifts are favountes, the Diamonds' juniors are a "hard nut to crack," and I therefore pin my faith on them pulling off the Junior Cup this season. The senior trophy, so 'Skipper" Auld informs me, is already Rover property for this season, although Secretary Hamilton says the now shelf on which the senior Charity Cup is to rest until May, 1902, has been ordered. Both games will be played at Athletic Park, and, with so much depending on the results, given fine weather, a large gathering of spectatois is anticipated. The annual dinner and smoke concert of the Welhngton Football Association will be held on the 28th instant, at which function all trophies won during the season will be piesented.

Mr. T. Shields, whose photograph appears above, is well-known to all ' socker" enthusiasts throughout the colony. He was one of the founders of the Association game in Wellington, and, in his day, a player of no little ability, a& is evidenced by the fact that, in addition to acting as captain of the Queen's Park F.C.. he represented his province in interprovincial matches during seven seasons, and twice captauied the lepreeentative team. In swimming circles also Mr. Shields has made his mark. As captain and swimming instructor of the Wellington Amateur Swimming Club, he has done, and is still doing, a great deaJ to foster this most useful of sports. During the coming season he purposes devoting several hours of his time each Wednesday afternoon to imparting gratuitous swimming instruction to such of the youth of the city as may caie to avai 1 themselves of his services.